The reporter's responsibility: Journalists and anthropologists

Abstract

This guest editorial explores the parallel ethical responsibilities and institutional challenges faced by anthropologists and journalists, highlighting their shared commitment to reporting faithfully on the complexities of global conflicts, cultural transformations and sensitive social issues. It examines the pressures both professions encounter from institutional review boards and media sponsors, which can impede their ability to conduct in-depth, culturally sensitive research and reporting. The text underscores the importance of honesty, expertise, open-mindedness and courage in navigating the intricate cultural situations and conflicts within contemporary global issues. By examining the institutional pressures that demand conformity to specific ethical models or journalistic practices, the article calls for re-evaluating these constraints to support reporters’ investigative integrity and ethical obligations better in both fields.