Walking the Tightrope of Accountability
Struggling with Transparency, Reputation, and Non-Profit Organizations
In the worlds of journalism and non-profit organizations, transparency and accountability are not just buzzwords. They form the foundation of trust - trust from donors, sources, and the public at large. But this week I found myself with some difficult decisions, grappling with a story that puts this trust at risk for another organization.
After delaying for weeks, today’s news story exposes unexplained incongruencies in the paperwork of two organizations whose work I, and others in the community, deeply respect. This has led to an ethical dilemma: Do we bring these discrepancies to light, potentially tarnishing the reputation of these organizations? Or do we keep these observations quiet, preserving the status quo but ignoring the issues?
This situation underscores the ethical balancing act many of us involved in journalism must perform. There's a duty to ensure organizations operate with integrity, especially when public donations are involved. Simultaneously, there's a need to avoid causing harm by raising concerns without solid evidence.
At the heart of the struggle is not a desire to assign blame, but a commitment to fostering a culture of openness. Raising questions should not equate to launching an attack, but rather serve as a call for clarity. Of course, I recognize that this tool must be used responsibly, ensuring any doubts expressed are based on concrete evidence, not mere speculation. This is why we’ve included links to so many primary documents within the body of this week’s story.
There is need for further investigation, but delaying publication while waiting for an explanation that may never come is also unacceptable.
Ultimately, my goal is not to tear down but to build up - to promote transparency and accountability in a way that strengthens, rather than undermines, the essential work of non-profit organizations, and the community as a whole. Balancing scrutiny with support is not just an ethical challenge but a testament to Copper Beacon’s commitment to fairness and justice.
