If I work for a newspaper is it unethical for me to leave and start my own?

Question

I just read an article in the Daily Gazette in Schenectady, NY about Phil Autelitano and Bill Fry who left The Record newspaper to start their own competing paper. They claim the community was being under-served and thought they could do much better. Is it unethical for them to do that?? I hear both sides of the story.

Answer 1

not really. any job especially one you love is a guide or learning tool. some go to college to take business classes , some learn from the trade they in. you know what you know from where you work, so branch out & start.

Answer 2

Not unethical at all.

If they had moonlighted under pen names until their new publication got on its feet --  that would be highly unethical.

But to resign from the publication to start a new one is completely above board and ethical.

To leave one publication due to your strong belief in journalism not serving the public -- would be laudable.

Even if they departed to earn more income as publishers -- which is doubtful -- their actions would still be ethical.

As for hearing both sides of the story, I would need more information.  From what you presented, this seems completely correct and I wish Autelitano and Fry well in their venture.

Answer 3

It would be unethical to use information they gathered under the auspices of the paper for which they originally worked. But as long as there is no contract in place, and as long as they gathered new information, then there would be no conflict of interest.

Answer 4

No, if you want to start a newspaper you can't just do it you would have to start of as a journalist or something, it's actually very ethical.

Answer 5

The claim that the community was being under-served is a pretty 'flimsy' arguement to go off and start a new paper.

I think there is more to this than we are being told.

The fourth estate has a rightful and purposeful duty to ensure the first three estates behave in a civil and appropiate manner. If Messrs; Autelitano & Fry; are in complete and utter agreement that the current community paper fails in this respect then by all means they are ethically required to bring this to the newspapers Editorial attention. I suspect they have done this already and there concerns have fallen on deaf ears.

If this is the case they are acting out of moral obligation to ensure that balance, objective and unbiased reporting is central to the integrity that is the fourth estate.

Journalists come and go like sands through an hour glass - the ones who make a lasting impression without dramatic fanfare are the ones who stay true to the values of an institution centuries in the making.

If you follow your dreams with the purpose and attitude that truly reflects the values of this profession then by all means go and print like you never printed before!

Answer 6

Some people work for a newspaper to get experience before starting their own.  I don't think there is anything wrong with that.

Answer 7

no--land of opportunity---free enterprise