Ethics Assignment

1. Editor Steven Smith differentiated between a legitimate and a non-legitimate news story because if the Mayor was just gay, then it wouldn't be a big deal. However chatting online with with people that are not of legal age, such as 17-year-old boys, was grounds for a legitmate news story.

2. Morlin justified the use of a concealed identity on Gay.com because he needed absolute certainty that it was Jim West. Morlin said, "there was no way we're going to be able to say without absolute certainty that the target was Jim West unless we go to Gay.com and draw him out." Morlin didn't create an identity himself because his job's code of ethics prohibited him from pretending to be someone he was not. However they were not prevented from hiring consultants.

3. I think The Spokesman-Review published so many articles on Mayor West's alleged improprieties because he was a public figure. West was a town leader, and this was big news for Spokane. New information kept coming out about the allegations, and it only kept confirming that they were true.

4. James West was ultimately hurt when the story was exposed. The Spokesman-Review benefitted from exposing West. Since West had allegedly molested young boys in the 70's, then yes, the outcome was worth it for The Spokesman-Review. I believe exposing West was justified because he was a public figure and because he was pursuing underage boys on the internet.

5. I feel bad for gays, even those in the public eye, because they have no privacy. The media exposes them and makes it a huge deal. I only believe that it is okay to expose them if they are doing illegal activity, or going against what they say/preach. I definetly don't think it's okay to invade anyones privacy or go on a "witch hunt" to expose people, only if there is illegal activity going on.