Journalist Conflict? Disclosure required?

[heyabbott]

A prominent TV news journalist in Baltimore who has covered the protests and riots extensively is in a romantic relationship with the Baltimore City deputy state's attorney in charge of prosecuting police officers.

They do not share a last a name and have not previously publicly disclosed their relationship. Is public disclosure required? Is recusal from covering the story appropriate.

The journalist is well respected and has been doing the job for years in Baltimore with great success.

 

[Ace]

No public disclosure. No recusal. As long as your boss is aware and OK with it, you're good.

Would not want that person editorializing, though.

 

[User 4332]

As long as the journalist is not covering the criminal charges against the officer, no disclosure is required.

If the journalist is covering the criminal charges, then disclosure is necessary.

The journalist really should not be covering the court case in this circumstance, though.

 

[Double Down]

I'm a bit curious about the fact that Sun essentially outed Jayne Miller as a lesbian, something that was widely-known, but not previously disclosed, at least that I can recall.

I do think there is a conflict of interest there, even though Miller is extremely good at her job.

 

[HejiraHenry]

Conflict-of-interest reporter, welcome to the weekend festival and weather beat.

 

[Double Down]

Conflict-of-interest reporter, welcome to the weekend festival and weather beat.

She's one of the best investigative TV reporters in the country, so no.

 

[HejiraHenry]

She's one of the best investigative TV reporters in the country, so no.

Should have investigated the possibility this was going to be a huge conflict.
Wouldn't stand for this in the smallest weekly newsroom I've worked in.

 

[da man]

FOP besmirches media, but WBAL has clear conflict of interest with prosecutor's office - Baltimore Sun

 

[Double Down]

She's going to step away from the coverage now that it's headed to court.

WBAL's Jayne Miller says she is going to "step back" from Freddie Gray coverage - Baltimore Sun

 

[Doc Holliday]

That's a shame. I don't have a problem with her coverage. When you're the best at something, there's a reason: Conflicts of interest don't exist and they sure as hell don't get in the way.