Freedom of the press is an important issue for journalists educated in advanced liberal nations, however when students intern in another country they may find that ideas around press freedom and ethics are very different.
It is important when you are a guest in another country to tread carefully around issues of press freedom. Do not presume to know better than your colleagues. In some countries, publication of a story can have deadly consequences. Heed the advice of those around you.
In the same way that views and attitudes to press freedom differ, so do attitudes to ethics. Global media ethics can be different to Australian media ethics. As an intern in another country, it’s important to remember that you are there to watch and learn.
Alexandra Wake has been a journalist for 30 years. Although initially trained in print, she has adapted to other technologies and now boasts a career spanning radio, television and on-line. Alex has worked in Ireland, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, as well as Australia. Alex worked for three newspapers: The Rockhampton Morning Bulletin, the Mackay Mercury and The Star (Ireland). Alex spent seven years working for the ABC in Queensland. She has spent time training working journalists at the South African Broadcasting Corporation and three years as a journalism educator at Dubai Women’s College in the United Arab Emirates. Alex also spent three years working as a senior media advisor for a Queensland government minister. Alex still tries to work as a broadcast journalist when her academic work allows.
Alex completed her PhD at Deakin, MA (Research) at QUT, holds a Graduate Certificate in Tertiary Teaching and Learning from RMIT, and a Certificate of English Language Teaching to Adults from Cambridge.
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