Staging is an interesting issue in the journalistic society, especially as technology improves and journalists are expected to be the backpack journalists we previously discussed. In some ways, I feel staging has the potential to be a necessary evil when one person is expected to take a picture and gather natural sound for an audio story at the same time. However, no matter what kind of pressure a journalist is under, staging should never be an option. It is our duty as journalists to bring truth to the readers, listeners, watchers. The second we stage a shot or a photo or a quote is the second the audience is right about the media and "our lies and biases."
This isn't to say staging isn't tempting, even to the most ethical journalist. This is yet another reason why morals and a journalistic code of ethics is crucial to our profession. Without a strong, all-encompassing code to live and report by, the quality of journalism and the delivery of news to the audience will be sacrificed for "that perfect quote" or "could you do that again..."
Chances are, if you spent another 20 minutes with the subject of the story, you'll get a sound bite, shot or photograph even better than the first. You may even improve the story in the process!
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