UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.

In an effort to promote ethical journalism practices, Bill Marimow spoke at Penn States annual Oweida Lecture an event that encourages prospective journalists to engage in conscientious reporting. Established in 1994, the lecture is endowed by Margaret L. Oweida in memory of her husband, Dr. Oweida. Dr. Oweida was a surgeon whose reputation was wrongfully tarnished by reckless reporting, and the lecture serves as an attempt to end unethical journalistic practices. Marimow, a two-time Pulitzer Prize winner and the current editor of the Philadelphia Inquirer, shared several anecdotes of the numerous ethical conflicts he has encountered. While he was the editor of the Baltimore Sun, there was a 10-year-old boy, Little Isaac, who was involved in a major drug sting. One of the rules in Penn State Professor Gene Foremans guidelines states, it is important that the public be informed of the identity of the accused, regardless of age. In this case, a reporter by the name of Jim Haner and a photographer by the name of Andre Lambertson went out to the East Baltimore neighborhood where Little Isaac lived, said Marimow. He continued, explaining that Haner obtained written consent from Little Isaacs mother that his picture and full name could be printed with the story. They came back to the newsroom, very enthusiastic about the story, Marimow said. But there was still the dilemma of were we going to run Little Isaacs full name in the Baltimore Sun, and were we going to use a picture? Usually when I was presented with a thorny dilemma, I got six or eight people into my office, laid out the issue and we discussed it at length, Marimow said. He said it didnt matter what position the staff members were, hed ask them their opinion. I thought about Gene Foremans rules I even though about calling Gene Foreman, said Marimow. Ultimately, he decided not to run Little Isaacs full name, or a picture that showed his face, as his mother might not have been in her best judgment. Throughout his speech, Marimow stressed the difference between public officials and private persons knowledge of interacting with the media. If any action, however slight, makes you hesitate and pause, do not do it, Marimow said. If you even have a question about whether something is right or wrong, ethical or unethical, consult a senior editor.