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You live in the conservative town of Spokane, Washington. You work for the city's newspaper the Spokesman-Review, and you just heard some interesting news...

Were You The Deceptive Journalist?

There are allegations of molestation against your Republican Majority leader of Washington Jim West. Do you think this is a potential story?

You do your research and find out that West had multiple allegations 27 years ago of molesting young boys while he was the county sheriff and a Boy Scout leader. He was also friends with a deputy and another Boy Scout leader who both committed suicide after allegations of molestation were brought against them. West was even linked to abuse by Catholic priests. Is that enough information to write the story?

Your editor assigns you the story at the exact same time West runs for his dream job – the mayor of Spokane.

You continue your investigation and receive tips from anonymous sources that swear West abused them during the past. One man even said that he was molested by West 4 times as a child, struggled with drug addictions because of the molestations, sent to prison for the drug use and received a message from West to keep his mouth shut. In addition, other young men said he solicited them in gay chatrooms and offered them rewards. Is that enough to write the story?

West receives the Mayor position.

Should the Spokesman-Review in addition, catch Mayor West in the act?

The editor decides they want to hire a forensic computer expert and pose as a 17-year-old boy in the gay chatroom. Is that ethically acceptable?

Your editor consults with journalism experts and considers their options on catching West in the act.

After hiring the forensic expert, the expert should

On the fictional young man's 18th birthday, West requests to meet in which his picture was secretly taken and the expert broke off contact. Is it appropriate for the Spokesman Review to publish the story now?

West ends up offering the fictional young man a city hall internship, sports memorabilia, college recommendations and excursions around the country.

You disagree with Spokesman-Review's method in covering the story about West. Whether it was their use of deception or publishing the story earlier, the Spokesman-Review did not do a proper job in reporting.

You are a Spokesman-Review critic!

Your ethics and values aligned with The Spokesman-Review's. The pursuit of journalistic truth is what you value the most; you understand that deception is not the best method to seek such truth but you understand that its use can be justified. You write stories in light of the community and your social responsibility, and overall believed that the Spokesman-Review was justified in using deception.

You covered the story of West like the Spokesman-Review!

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Were You The Deceptive Journalist?

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