david j. garcia

Note: I conducted this interview in 2007 as part of a communications ethics course at Brigham Young University.

KXXV-TV anchor Ann Harder is an example of how to suceed in a tough career without compromising your values. Her 35-year career in broadcasting shows her commitment to her craft and her moral compass.

Here’s some of what I gleaned from interviewing Ann Harder about ethics in broadcast journalism:

• Broadcasters have a special responsibility to viewers. Viewers can’t always just change the channel, because reports are sometimes shown in public places (such as a doctor’s office).

• No one grows up in a vacuum, so we all bring a set of values and worldviews. Reporters who aren’t honest with themselves about this do a disservice. The challenge is to not let those biases color one’s coverage.

• Whenever there’s conflict, there are two or more sides. “If both sides are mad at you, you’ve probably done a good job.”

• You have to be careful about prematurely convicting someone.

• Things are reported now in ways that she never would have imagined saying when she started. However, sometimes people don’t need to know all the details and there are ways to report things without all the gory details. This is especially true with abuse of children.

• When she has to report horrible things, she remembers Psalms 37: “Fret not thyself because of evildoers…. Trust in the LORD and do good.”

• Be mindful that you are reporting about actual human beings – people who have families that care about them.