Chapter 10 BLOG 7

Chapter Ten: Reporting the news.
When reading this chapter I was inspired to GOOGLE search undercover reporting and this is the first article that caught my eye. This is a great example of undercover reporting and the new rebound of it occurring on television and also YOU TUBE!

This represents a controversial method that is outlined in the book and that caught my eye when reading it as well as the attention and like the book states, “public response to this article was dramatic.”

“For at least 30 years, people both in and out of journalism have been debating whether the news media’s use of undercover reporting is justified.” This is a perfect example of this ongoing debate with a very recent news story.

In evaluating this story (and others) we must ask our selves these questions that are usually centered within this ongoing debate:
Are there hidden cameras being used purely to hype the story?
Do the ends (uncovering wrongdoing) justify the means (using deception and possibly violating laws)?
Are there privacy concerns?
Are hidden cameras the best way to get the story?
How significant and widespread is the issue under investigation?

I think these are all valid questions that are outlined within the chapter and the answer in one way or another could go both ways. I think that is what makes this part of the book and the debate so hard. I think uncovering certain issues are important; however, privacy matters too!

PRESS RELEASE
Abuse Pattern Develops as Second Indiana Planned Parenthood Covers Up Statutory Rape of 13-Year-Old

Last update: 9:22 a.m. EST Dec. 16, 2008
INDIANAPOLIS, Dec 16, 2008 /PRNewswire-USNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Undercover footage from a second Indiana Planned Parenthood clinic shows an emerging pattern of abuse, as more clinic counselors evade their legal responsibility to report the statutory rape of young girls. The new footage is the second video in Live Action Film's "Mona Lisa Project," a series of investigations documenting how secret abortions keep young girls trapped in cycles of sexual abuse.
In the video, shot undercover this summer at a Planned Parenthood in Indianapolis, two employees state they "don't care" about the age difference between a 31-year-old man and the 13-year-old girl he was reported to have impregnated. A previously released video shot at a Bloomington Planned Parenthood showed similar results. Neither the Bloomington nor Indianapolis clinics reported the rape and both clinics counseled the 13-year-old to obtain a secret abortion across state lines where no parental consent laws applied.
At both clinics, Lila Rose, student journalist and president of Live Action, enters posing as a 13-year-old girl and discloses she is pregnant by a 31-year-old man. The Indianapolis staffer states, "We don't really care about who, what, the age of the boyfriend." She then sends Rose to a counselor, who after hearing about the 31-year-old also states, "I don't care how old he is." When Rose tells the counselor that her mother would be upset about the 31-year-old boyfriend, the counselor informs Rose that "the surrounding states don't have parental consent. I can't tell you anymore."
In Bloomington, the nurse declares, "I don't want to know how old he is" and instructs Rose to travel to an Illinois Planned Parenthood and say her 31-year-old boyfriend is only fourteen. Although the Bloomington clinic fired its nurse, Rose says this is not an isolated incident. "We have more videos documenting this pattern of law-breaking within Planned Parenthood. There are actual cases all across the country where their failure to follow state statutes has allowed predators to continue their sexual abuse of young girls."
On Monday, Indiana Attorney General Steve Carter launched an investigation of Planned Parenthood in response to the Bloomington footage. Indiana State Representative Jackie Walorski and right-to-life advocacy groups including American Life League publicly called for the investigation. In 2005, the Attorney General also sought the records of 84 Planned Parenthood patients under the age of fourteen who may have been victims of sexual abuse, but Planned Parenthood sued to prevent their release.'
Rose commends the Attorney General's efforts. "We applaud Mr. Carter's integrity and urge him to conduct a thorough and complete investigation, despite any political attacks Planned Parenthood may attempt against him personally or his office."
Rose challenges Planned Parenthood to cooperate. "Planned Parenthood must release files they have previously sued to keep private and allow state authorities to conduct a complete investigation." She adds, "Mandatory reporting laws are necessary for the protection of young girls, and Planned Parenthood must not be allowed to sabotage them."
The video can be viewed at www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTxsWZz9whg and can also be found with more information on The Mona Lisa Project at LiveActionFilms.org. For interview or special requests for copies of footage and documentation, please contact lilarose@liveactionfilms.org.