Ethical Truths?

We are faced with a fundamental question: are there "absolute truths" in journalism? Let us consider professor Richard Benedetto's comment Tuesday concerning undercover journalism. He used as an example the story by Ken Silverstein in the June edition of Harper's Magazine.
Absolutely, unequivocally unethical, he said.
But is it?

Silverstein posed as the representative of a London investment firm interested in improving the image of Turkmenistan to ease exports of oil and gas to the West. Here is his response to accusations of unethical behavior:
"I did trick the firms–in order to demonstrate just how easy it is for lobbyists to manipulate political and public opinion," Silverstein said. "The lobbyists, on the other hand, offered to go to work on behalf of one of the world’s most horrific regimes in exchange for the lavish fees they proposed to charge the Maldon Group. The bottom line is that Cassidy and APCO were blinded by greed, thereby exposing their own low ethics as well as the crying need for lobbying reform."

Consider late 19th century muckraker Nellie Bly, who feigned mental illness so as to be admitted to Blackwell’s Island Asylum. In her stories, “Ten Days in a Madhouse,” she detailed the neglect and abuse patients suffered at the hands of nurses and administration. Her stories led to a grand jury investigation of the facility, increased oversight, ongoing inspections and spiked funding for treatment.

It is our job, as journalists, to serve the public diligently and honestly. Undercover journalism shouldn’t be used as an easy out for lazy journalists unwilling to beat the pavement looking for sources. But should it be discounted?

“Undercover journalism should be used sparingly, but it has often yielded rich benefits,” Silverstein said in defense of his undercover Harper’s article. “Unfortunately, few news outlets are willing to use undercover journalism to get a story, or to practice investigative journalism in general. It’s just too expensive and risky; media organizations would rather spend their money on tables at the White House Correspondents dinner and watch Karl Rove rap.”

Did the information Silverstein provided outweigh the questionable practice of undercover journalism? How about Bly’s accomplishments? Weighing the one against the other should be the task, not discounting undercover journalism all together.
-Willson-