Everybody is hurt by Conflict Of Interest

Here is an excellent analysis of the outrageous news that WEAU and Sacred Heart Hospital were "in cahoots" for a collaboration in news reporting which is a scary local example of Conflict of Interest and the harm it can cause. Apparently the general manager of WEAU is married to the Director of Communications for Sacred Heart Hospital. This is not only bad for the station's credibility, it damages the integrity of Sacred Heart Hospital and the confidence in our community that news will be unbiased. Here in the ECASD many of us have been equally concerned about the same issues and the potential conflict of interest for elected officials who also have monetary interests via spouses and employers.

Maria

Updated: 1/18/2008 5:22:02 PM
Deal bad for station's credibility

By John Ganahl
As the former station manager of WQOW-TV and recently former director of communications and public outreach for Sacred Heart Hospital, I was uniquely curious about the departure of WEAU-TV News Director Glen Mabie over that station's alleged partnership with Sacred Heart Hospital.

I can't shed any light on the specifics of the alleged relationship. Prior to leaving Sacred Heart Nov. 24, I was not included in nor aware of any such discussions. That said, I offer these perspectives and questions based solely on the information supplied in Tuesday's Leader-Telegram.

First. I applaud Mabie's ethical fortitude. I spent 35 years in the broadcast television industry. The one tenet observed above all others was the wall between journalistic content and influences from other sources in the building. Most specifically, sales. To me, this proposed "partnership" with Sacred Heart is troublesome.

But why should anyone care? Let me pose this cascading scenario: Imagine a controversy arises from practices (medical or administrative) at Sacred Heart.

1. How does WEAU cover this?

2. Given the exclusive relationship with this news entity, how do other media in the area treat the story if they are allowed to cover it at all in a timely manner?

3. What kind of response or cooperation does Sacred Heart provide to other media in a timely and open manner?

4. As a patient at Sacred Heart, what critical information am I potentially not getting because one news organization has a relationship with the hospital and others are locked out?

Now, imagine a similar scenario: A controversy arises from practices (medical or administrative) at Luther Midelfort.

1. How does WEAU cover this?

2. Given the exclusive relationship with Sacred Heart, how cooperative with WEAU is Luther Midelfort likely to be?

Do you see how a news organization crossing the journalistic line creates a ripple of potential problems that not only challenges their objectivity, but also chills the willingness of those being covered to cooperate? On the other hand, the potential to "hide" controversial information as a result of such a partnership can potentially hurt patient care and most certainly damage public trust.

One last observation from my television experience. If I enter into an exclusive relationship with one business, how willing is its competitor to do business with me? In other words, does a decision like this say to Luther Midelfort, "We're not as interested in your business?" Maybe not. But if I'm Luther Midelfort, I've got to ask the question.

I have an enormous amount of respect for WEAU General Manager Terry McHugh. He's an excellent businessman and - from my personal experience - a man with high ethics. So my suspicion is there is more to this story than alluded to in the article. The broadcast industry has changed since my day, but this change is not one I could endorse. It has the potential to benefit Sacred Heart but damage WEAU's credibility.

Ganahl lives in Eau Claire.