Scripps Howard Major To Present Research Paper at National Conference

Dec. 17, 2009

Hampton, VA - The Association for Practical and Professional Ethics (APPE) has selected Jared Council, a Scripps Howard School senior print journalism major, to present at its nineteenth annual conference. His essay entitled, "Fox News: An Indefensible Ethical Error," was accepted in the undergraduate category of the conference to be held March 4-7 in Cincinnati, OH.

The essay addressed the ethical lapse of Fox News Channel when its marketing department placed a full-page ad in the Washington Post claiming it was the only network to cover the Tea Party protest in Washington, D.C. The ad placed September 18, 2009, read "How did ABC, CBS, NBC, MSNBC, and CNN miss this story?" and went on to say "Fox News Channel: We cover all the news." All the networks had covered the Tea Party, which has held numerous demonstrations to advocate fiscal responsibility, limited government and a free market. Council initially wrote the paper for his Media Ethics course taught by Dr. Richard Kenney who suggested that Council expand the paper for submission to APPE.

"Jared's was the best paper [in regards to the specific assignment] I had read in nine years of teaching this course," Dr. Kenney said. Kenney, the Scripps Howard Endowed Professor of Journalism, will be presenting at the conference as well.

Council, a Philadelphia native, hopes to use the conference for networking. His post-graduate plans include Teach for America and law school.

"I have known for some time that journalism was my passion. A law degree will benefit me in the area of journalism I want to go," Council explained.

The APPE was founded in 1991 to encourage excellence in the interdisciplinary teaching, practice, and study of professional, practical, and personal ethics by promoting the coordination, cooperation, and communication among individuals, institutions, and organizations concerned with ethics. The APPE is supported by Indiana University and the Lilly Endowment.

-By Hanae Mason, Senior Public Relations Major