Emphasizing ethics over outcomes

One of the clearest ethical tests in my reporting came while producing a documentary about a Sudanese refugee family adjusting to life in the United States. Their story involved trauma, displacement and immigration vulnerability, and although they trusted me with their experiences, I ultimately chose not to publish the film publicly. Protecting their privacy outweighed the value of exposure. A reporter can technically publish something and still be wrong to do so. In written reporting, I have faced similar tensions when using anonymous sources, interviewing grieving families, and covering sensitive student issues. While transcribing interviews, I urge my staff to resist the shortcut of looking at an AI transcript and listen to each interview and quotation for tone, intent, and clarity. Each time, I return to the same principle: minimize harm while preserving truth. Ethical journalism is about actively protecting the dignity of the people whose stories we tell. Choosing restraint when necessary has deeply influenced how I report, edit and lead.