staging video

Jessica Malnik

Staging video is just wrong. I can think of several problems associated with staging video. Most importantly, staged video alters the truth. The main principle of journalism is to seek the truth. By altering the truth, staged video is inaccurate. Another problem is that staging video often either creates or perpetuates biases. The second that journalists stage a situation, they lose their objectivity. For example, if I just told a person to stand over there, then I have distorted reality. I have made up a situation. While many viewers would not necessarily know this, it is still unethical. Over time, the viewers will catch on, and the newsroom will lose credibility. A third problem with staging video is that if you tell a person exactly what to do, it is probably going to make that person feel awkward and uncomfortable. That person will act differently. These are just a few of the problems associated with staging video.

Staging video is unethical and deceives the public. By staging video, a journalist has essentially made up news. I strongly believe that the only place where staged video belongs is in the movies.