Representation of Journalism & Journalism Ethics

Representation of Journalism & Journalism Ethics:

How do the filmmakers represent journalism and journalism ethics?

In the movie, 'The Killing Fields', filmmakers represent journalist's as characters always going after the story. American journalist's such as Sydney Schanberg are made out to be the character who goes after the story even if it is denied to him and could put him in harm; the American journalist as the hero like figure in the story. Cambodian journalist's such as Dith Pran are made out to be less of a potential figure. For example Dith Pran always has to answer to the American journalist even if it might cost him his life.

Unethical decisions made by the characters:
Sydney Schanberg character makes an unethical decision when he doesn't try harder to get Dith Pran out of the country. Schanberg feels guilt and remorse for not letting Dith travel to New York with his family. Pran is forced to stay in Cambodia where he is captured by the Khmer Rouge. As a journalist Schanberg should have realized the harm he was putting Pran. According to the SPJ Code of Ethics, Schanberg should have, "showed compassion for those who might be affected by news coverage."

Another example of harmful unethical decision making is in the scene when Pran and Schanberg get captured while looking at prisoners through a camera lens in Neak Luong. Although the camera did not have any film, Schanberg as a journalist, should have been sensitive of the tragedy at Neak Luong because his insensitivity got himself and Pran captured.The SPJ Code of Ethics states, "Be sensitive when seeking or using interviews or photographs of those affected by tragedy or grief." Pran even worries about his own safety while they are captured, but Sydney hardly seems to care, and asks for Pran to go ask for him to go to the bathroom and says he needs a cigarette. Schanberg should have also been more sensitive towards Pran.

At times Schanberg could have been prejudice against Cambodians. He says in his book, The Life and Death of Dith Pran, often times he was hard on Pran and pushed him to do better (Schanberg, p 70). Sometimes in the movie Schanberg would be short with Pran, for example when he was asking Pran if he wanted to stay in Cambodia. He tells Pran that it is none of his business what his own plans were, and Pran seems pressured into staying. Being prejudice is unethical journalism see SPJ Code of Ethics.


Ethical Decsions made by the characters:
Sydney Schanberg makes ethical decisions during the beginning of the film because he goes for the story. He his outraged when Major Reeves will not let him go to Neak Luong. He says, "I got a right to go where ever I like in this sad little country." Quotes from The Killing Fields. Although Major Reeves denies Schanberg and Pran transport to Neak Luong, Schanberg finds another way by boat. Really showing that finding the real story is important to journalism. According to SPJ Code of Ethics a journalist should, "Identify sources whenever feasible. The public is entitled to as much information as possible on sources' reliability."and a journalist should also, "Diligently seek out subjects of news stories to give them the opportunity to respond to allegations of wrongdoing." both of which Schanberg does in the film.