Ethical Principles in my Report

There were several ethical principles that were at play during the process of writing my report.One which I recently brought up in a class discussion was how I present myself before an interview. I usually don't tell whoever I am interviewing exactly where I stand on the issue so that they will talk to me. For instance, if I talk to someone in the food industry, particularly processed food, I am not going to tell them that I am writing a report on sustainable fresh produce in an urban environment (opposing the industry this person represents), but rather would give them a more general explanation, such as the an evaluation of where the food Brooklyn is eating comes from. However, is this ethical? I believe so. I am not necessarily lying, but not providing details.

Another ethical principle that I encountered was the motives of those whom I interview. Journalism and write-ups to most people are a way for them to get their word out, to provide the public with their opinions and beliefs. Everyone has a motive and it is up to the journalist to filter the piece of this by providing an objective truth (or at least the most it can get to that point). For instance, I was interviewing Reverend Jackson of the Bed-Stuy Farm and Brooklyn Rescue Mission and although he would not talk to me about the fear of losing his lot to NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development, but rather he shifted the conversation to what the Bed-Stuy Farm has planned (volunteer days, a series of demonstrations in July, etc). I asked him about this lot various times throughout the interview, wording it differently each time and still he would not give up. At the end of the interview as I started to lose hope I begged him, "please tell me something about the lot you may lose." Although it wasn't great detailed information, he provided a lead. Still, his motives for the interview were obvious. 

One of the ethical principles that I really try to use when writing this report is giving a voice to the voiceless. Brooklyn is extremely diverse and farming the land of it is as well. I have interviewed Ben Flanner of the Brooklyn Grange. Flanner has been privileged in the sense that he chose a life of urban farming after working in an office environment for years. On the other side of this are those who advocate food justice -- accessible and affordable food for all, not just the wealthy -- because they need it to survive. They don't have the privilege of going to Whole Foods and purchasing fresh, organic produce. Therefore, they convert lots into gardens and any unused space into a haven for food to be grown. These are the people that haven't much spotlight on them and I want to give them a voice. Coincidentally, they are also the people who don't care as much to get their voice out there. They are farming for them, not anyone else and as a journalist, it is difficult to get into contact with them or get them talking. They are precarious of journalists, or so it seems from my experience. Although, this is extremely important for the wholeness of my report -- to report on the voiceless.