ethics

Must We Save Money?

Hamilton Nolan · 08/14/12 03:04PM

A philosophical question: Is saving money a moral imperative? That is, given the means, are we all ethically obligated to save at least a small portion of our income, in case of emergency? Or are we morally free to blow every penny on impulse purchases, the future be damned?

New York Times Staffers: Now Is the Time to Rat Out Your Colleagues

John Cook · 12/05/11 11:56AM

The holidays are almost upon us, which means it's time for you to take a careful look at your neighbor and report any and all suspicious activity to your immediate supervisor. At least it is at the New York Times, which just sent a memo to all staffers urging them snitch on any co-worker who may have engaged in any "potential ethical or legal violations." IF YOU SEE SOMETHING SAY SOMETHING. David Pogue, your ears are burning! Memo after the jump.

Lawyer Listed Sexxxy Secretary Job Via Craigslist 'Adult' Gigs

Lauri Apple · 11/30/11 10:54AM

If you were advertising a legal secretary position on Craiglist, would you post it in the Jobs section under "Legal/Paralegal," or in the Gigs section under "Adult"? If you're Illinois lawyer Samir Zia Chowhan you'd choose Option Two, because you'd expect your secretary to be "adult"—with you! On the clock and on the desk, never sleep, never rest.

'Privacy Is for Paedos' And Other Pearls of Wisdom From Journalism's New Cartoon Villain

John Cook · 11/29/11 02:56PM

As if the News Corp. hacking scandal weren't already lousy with pitch-perfect villains, a new one has topped them all. Former News of the World deputy features editor Paul McMullan gave a bravura performance today before a British government inquiry into the press scandal, gamely defending the most loathsome transgressions of his colleagues in the U.K. tabloid press with Snidely Whiplash relish.

Who Broke the Speaking Rules at the New York Times?

Hamilton Nolan · 10/11/11 08:54AM

New York Times ethics cop Phil Corbett just sent out the following memo to the newsroom, reminding them about the paper's rules for paid speaking engagements. (Thomas Friedman, among others, has had trouble with this in the past.) An NYT source says "they don't send these reminders out unless someone breaks the rules or screws up." So who was it? Email me if you know.

Conservative Writer 'Boldly' Infiltrates D.C. Protest Group

Lauri Apple · 10/09/11 03:36PM

In reading The American Spectator, the top-shelf, right-wing magazine, you might have spotted the byline of assistant editor Patrick Howley. Yesterday Intrepid Patrick joined up with anti-war protesters at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum not only to write about the goings-on but also—and this is the best part—"to mock and undermine" the protesters, as he admitted in his eventual report.

How Univision Tried to Blackmail Marco Rubio

John Cook · 10/03/11 03:40PM

When Univision got wind of a story about Marco Rubio's family that the senator didn't want broadcast, the network offered to kill it in exchange for an interview.

Making Lobbyists Wear Badges: The New Holocaust?

Jim Newell · 07/01/11 01:18PM

In an effort to tweak its ethics rules following a spate of corruption, the Massachusetts House is considering among other things a requirement that lobbyists wear ID badges in the statehouse if they're "seeking access to House members or staff." This doesn't seem controversial. Then again, maybe it's the Holocaust?

GLAAD President Resigns over AT&T Donations

Max Read · 06/19/11 01:51PM

Jarrett Barrios, the president of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, resigned on Sunday night following revelations that GLAAD had expressed support of AT&T's merger with T-Mobile—while also taking $50,000 in donations from the company.

Charlie Rangel Is Anthony Weiner's Only Friend in Congress

Jim Newell · 06/10/11 05:35PM

Pretty much no one in Congress wants to be buddy-buddy with Rep. Anthony Weiner anymore, either because his peen pic grossed them out or they're worried that his colossal stupidity might be contagious. And while most once-friendly Democratic congressmen from neighboring districts in New York are trying especially hard to avoid him, old Rep. Charlie Rangel from Harlem is offering rare support for the congressman. It's better than nothing?