Poynter Center to discuss ethics

During finals week, the Poynter Center for the Study of Ethics and American Institutions at IU will hold a series of discussions on five different topics in ethics to celebrate the retirement of their director, David Smith.\nThe topics include "Issues in Research Ethics" on Monday, "Journalists' Ethics in a Time of War" on Tuesday, "The Role of Religion in Contemporary American Politics" on Wednesday and "Direct Marketing of Genetic Tests" on Thursday. For the final presentation Thursday, Smith will discuss topics from his pending book, "Professional Testimonies," which explores how people care for the dying.\nDiscussions begin at noon for all days, after an included lunch, except Thursday, which is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m.\nJournalism professor David Boeyink, who is leading the discussion on journalists' ethics during war, said his seminar will be fairly topical.\n"I would just like to open up a dialogue about what people would like to see as the standards for war reporting," he said. "We'll touch on the problems of war coverage, especially with our current conflict."\nBoeyink said one aspect of the the war in Iraq that raises ethical issues is the concept of the "embedded" reporter. \n"Questions arise such as: How much information should a reporter give? When a reporter travels with the troops and develops a relationship with them, do we lose any independence? What effect does the attachment have on the reporting? These are questions to consider," he said.\nBoeyink added that "embedded" reporters today differ from those in the past.\n"The 'embedded' reporter is nothing new to war coverage," he said. "Ernie Pyle was an 'embedded' reporter, but certain issues are different currently. Nowadays, there is more immediacy. A reporter can use video phones to transmit the information on the spot. Ernie Pyle used to go back to the hotel room and write his columns. There is a different aspect when you are able to reflect on something before reporting it."\nEric Meslin, a professor at the IU-Purdue University in Indianapolis Dean's Office of Medicine, said he will participate in the discussion on research ethics and will discuss the use of human test studies in research projects.\n"The first part will deal with how we can ethically treat subjects in studies," he said. "The second part will focus on a very current issue of how we treat the subjects after the research. What rights do they have? What information should be released? What obligations do researchers have after the research?"\nPsychology professor Peter Finn said he will participate in the discussion on research ethics, in which he will cover ethical issues such as deceptions in research and the use of placebos. \nOn Thursday, Smith will discuss "Professional Testimonies."\n"The book explores how members of the clergy care for the dying and whether they are using their best judgment in their decisions," he said.\nSmith said he has been working on the book since 1998 and expects to complete it this summer.\nThe series is also a farewell event for Smith as he retires from the director's position of the Poynter Center. \nFinn said Smith made an impact on IU during his 12 years as director.\n"David Smith has pretty well shaped the center into a very influential source of instruction and leadership for the University, here as well as nationally," Finn said. "You can pretty much mention any major or academic unit and see how his ethical research is useful to their practices."\nSmith said he will miss the Poynter Center.\n"I've loved working with such great colleagues at the center, but it was time for me to go," he said. "I am ready to turn a page in my life."\nThe discussions are open to the campus and local community free of charge. \nDetails are available by contacting the Poynter Center, 618 E. Third St., at 855-0261 or poynter@indiana.edu.