SPJ meeting to consider ethics of Dateline's "To Catch a Predator"

In this newest wave of wildly popular "ambush journalism" shows, Dateline lures alleged sexual predators into meeting young teenage girls. After arriving at the girl's home, MSNBC reporter Chris Hansen approaches the suspect about his motives for meeting the young girl at her home - after which the suspect is arrested.

Bob Bentley, former editor of the Greenwood Index-Journal, will weigh-in on possible ethical problems with the show, which include its portrayal of innocence, direct cooperation with police and catering to audiences during “sweeps” periods.

The meeting is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 13, at 7 p.m. in the BA Building, Room 005. The event is free and open to the public.

Upcoming SPJ meeting garners national attention

The Monday, Nov. 10, meeting of the USC chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists has garnered national attention over its topic of ethical dilemmas in a popular news show which investigates sexual predators.

Questions posed by Taylor Smith, president of USC SPJ, to the chairman of the SPJ National Ethics Committee are featured on the organization’s Web site.

Smith was curious about the national organization’s stance on the wildly popular, yet controversial Dateline NBC shows, and said he was pleasantly surprised when Advisor Ernest Wiggins told him about it.

“Our chapter is serious about journalism. We've demonstrated that time after time since 2004 and we've been recognized as among the outstanding campus chapters in the country,” Wiggins said.

“It's no surprise to me then that national has taken the idea for our November meeting -- which, by the way, was pitched to SPJ by our guest speaker Bob Bentley – and featured it on their Web site to generate discussion among SPJ members,” Wiggins said.