When is it okay to invade people’s privacy with hidden cameras? Should newspapers print only what the government wants its citizens to read? What if Watergate, the Pentagon papers, and the prison abuse scandals in Iraq were concealed from the public? These questions and more were posed on Wednesday, April 4, 2007 during an assembly for the John Hanly Lecture Series. The endowed lecture series was established in 1999 to honor former Headmaster John Hanly and his unwavering commitment to making life’s decisions within an ethical framework. This year’s guest speakers, Susanna Lowy Davis and David Gelber ’59, took the Hauser Auditorium stage to discuss ethical issues in journalism.
Susanna Lowy Davis, a senior vice president and deputy general counsel of CBS and chair of the Media Law Resources Center Institute, manages CBS’s New York law department and serves as the senior attorney for CBS News, CBS Sports, and CBS Interactive. A parent of Pingry fifth grader Rachel David, Susanna explained the need for confidential sources and the legal intent of allowing eyewitnesses to remain undisclosed sources of information.
Similarly, David Gelber ’59, an executive producer for CBS News, one of 60 Minutes most distinguished, award-winning producers, and a Pingry alumnus, further explained the need for a “Reporter’s Privilege”— a bipartisan principle of democracy that protects the public by encouraging people to talk to the press. Moreover, this privilege enables the press to play a watchdog role for public, particularly in revealing government or corporate misconduct.
In addition to addressing confidential sources and a reporter’s privilege, both Susanna and David used their expertise in the news-making business to mull over the usefulness of whistleblowers and hidden cameras. Susanna and David challenged students to think deeply about past and current social issues, the ramifications of creating a society where the public is starved of authenticity, and the ethical issues faced in attaining the truth.
© 2007 The Pingry School
