THE HERALD'S ETHICS POLICY CURTAILS FREEDOM OF THE PRESS

On my September 21 post, “The Herald fails to apologize for abuse of power,” I gave my reasons for criticizing the Miami Herald in its actions against journalists who received compensation for their work at TV and Radio Marti. The defamatory front-page article accusing these journalists of wrongdoing included not only the three El Nuevo Herald reporters fired, but also about seven other members of the media who do not work for the paper.

Today we learn that Jesús Díaz, president of the Miami Herald Media Co. and publisher of the Miami Herald and El Nuevo Herald will resign. It turns out that, after further investigation, six other journalists still working for the Herald had also received payment for their participation in TV/Radio Marti programs. That connection was no secret. Everyone knew. A former executive editor had given them permission to work at TV/Radio Marti. Therefore, Mr. Díaz decides not to fire the six. In addition, he extends amnesty to the three reporters that lost their jobs. Notice the word “amnesty,” as in an official pardon. In other words, Mr. Díaz’s does not say, “We made a mistake” or “Our ethics policy is misguided.” No, his choice of words still gives the impression these journalists committed some kind of crime. The only reason the Herald forgives is because, “We also discovered that over many years, our conflict of interest policies were poorly communicated and inconsistently applied in the El Nuevo Herald newsroom.”

From now on things are going to be different, the Herald promises. The policy on conflict of interest “...will be strengthened and rigorously, consistently enforced.” They are going to require written permission from any reporter who wants to do outside work. It does not matter whether the work is paid or unpaid. In summary, they are sticking to their guns in their belief that the acceptance of payments from TV/Radio Marti is “...a breach of widely accepted principles of journalistic ethics.”

Judging from the many unfavorable opinions respectable journalists published in El Nuevo Herald, the assertion the Herald’s ethics policy represents “widely accepted principles” is highly debatable. I do not care if it is the South Florida chapter of the Association of Hispanic Journalists or any other alleged authority that supports the Herald’s policy, the policy is misguided when applied to TV/Radio Marti or any other governmental agency that does not dictate program content or opinion. In addition, ethics begins with the person. Journalists whose careers show a history of seriousness and integrity should have the freedom to express their opinions wherever they please, for pay or without pay.

You do not have to lead the public by the hand, Miami Herald. We are not as stupid as you may think, and we do not need your protection. The work of reporters stands on its own. To evaluate it, it is irrelevant whether a conflict of interest exists. Either we agree or we disagree. Your ethics policy curtails freedom of the press. It is a repressive policy. Thanks to it, some journalists who might have been willing to contribute to TV/Radio Marti will now decline. Thanks to it, the people of Cuba will not benefit from the work of experienced professionals.

Contrary to what the Miami Herald or McClatchy executives may think, the resignation of Mr. Díaz and the "amnesty" of dismissed employees does not make things right. Your ethics policy is flat-out wrong or inflexible as applied to mediums of communication like TV/Radio Marti. To make things right, change it and apologize to all the journalists whose reputations you tarnished with that ill-advised front-page piece of defamatory reporting. You may also want to apologize to the true Cuban-American exile community, the group of people you keep finding new ways to offend.