Is RTDNA Putting Profits Before COVID Safety by Hosting an in-person Conference?

FTVLive told you that the RTDNA is planning on going ahead with their conference in Denver later next month.

One TV newsie and FTVLive reader questions whether the organization is putting profits ahead of safety?

They emailed us with their take, which we have posted below:

The Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) is moving forward with an in-person conference in Denver, Colorado on September 23rd and 24th, 2021. For RTDNA, it appears the show must go on – despite the deadly spike in COVID cases that dangerously threatens America’s recovery from the pandemic.

 Most if not all major journalism conferences are offering a virtual experience this year. Some of the larger conferences never planned an in-person 2021 event because of COVID concerns. Other organizations cancelled their in-person conferences because of the recent surge in COVID cases.

 Society of Professional Journalists recently cancelled its in-person conference that was scheduled for September 2nd through 4th, 2021. SPJ’s website explains in part, “Based on the best information currently available from health experts regarding the ongoing pandemic, SPJ has decided to convert the SPJ21 journalism conference from a hybrid event to a fully virtual one. This means there will no longer be an option to attend in person in New Orleans.”

 Now back to RTDNA. The organization is righteous in calling out others with their Code of Ethics, which is proudly displayed on their website. Right above the Code is an advertisement for RTDNA’s conference. Part of RTDNA’s Code of Ethics reads, “Journalism places the public’s interests ahead of commercial, political and personal interests.” This raises the question if RTDNA is putting their personal interests ahead of the “public’s interest”? How many news managers are traveling to this conference in Denver? How many will bring COVID back to their newsrooms? Perhaps RTDNA will implement safety protocols at the conference, but RTDNA is encouraging attendees to travel and engage in other high-risk activities known to perpetuate the spread of COVID and possibly bring the dangerous virus back to newsrooms across America.

 When people are dying and contracting COVID in record numbers, is RTDNA placing “the public’s interest” ahead of the journalism organization’s desire to profit from an in-person conference? RTDNA’s Code of Ethics continues, “The facts should get in the way of a good story. Journalism requires more than merely reporting remarks, claims or comments. Journalism verifies, provides relevant context, tells the rest of the story and acknowledges the absence of important additional information.” It does not appear that RTDNA is letting facts “get in the way” of stopping their profitable conference.

 RTDNA wrote in its August 9, 2021 marketing push to gain more conference attendees, “So, don’t delay! Tomorrow is the end of early bird pricing, which means this exceptional opportunity to refresh and reset will only cost more after tomorrow.” Is RTDNA violating its own Code of Ethics by putting their personal interests, “…ahead of commercial, political and personal interests”?

 As part of the conference, RTDNA is also offering a “bar tour” during the pandemic. This blog post on RTDNA’s website shares more about the “bar tour” that the organization has named, “Denver After Dark.” “The goal here is to have your social life of the conference not center around the hotel bar, so if you're not familiar with Denver, or if you're new to Denver, we will have done that hard work for you,” Michigan Radio news director and “Denver After Dark” organizer Vincent Duffy said. “It's really just a moving party of like-minded individuals and we think it's going to be a lot of fun.” “Denver After Dark” will be a bar tour held the evening before the first day of RTDNA21.”

 Journalists in newsrooms across America are warning people about the dangers of COVID and the importance of being vigilant in fighting this deadly surge of the pandemic. While these journalists are issuing dire warnings, some of their news bosses will be enjoying RTDNA’s “bar tour” and other events that could pose a high risk of COVID transmission. Is this hypocrisy? Does this give media a bad name? Would TV stations or newspapers promote this as a story: “As we tell you how bad COVID is and ask our audience to make sacrifices, our news managers are enjoying a conference in Denver, with bar hopping and other fun group activities.” How would the audience respond?

 FTVLive has reported on journalists who have possibly contracted COVID while covering news on behalf of their employers. How will these journalists feel when they are risking their health to cover the news and they learn their news managers are enjoying the RTDNA conference? According to RTDNA’s website in promoting its conference, “It’s the perfect chance for current and aspiring newsroom leaders at all levels to reconnect with likeminded news leaders, restore your wellbeing, rejuvenate yourself and your team, renew your passion and refresh your skills.”

 Interesting that newsroom leaders will have the chance to “…restore your wellbeing…” and “…rejuvenate yourself…” while their employees are risking their health to cover the news. Many media outlets still do not let a percentage of employees in the building for fear of spreading COVID. That does not seem fair that employees cannot step foot in their workplace, but the managers are free to attend conferences, then come back to work in the building.

RTDNA Chair & CEO Andrea Stahlman is the news director at WLKY-TV in Louisville, KY. After a quick glance of WLKY’s website, it seems journalists in her newsroom understand the severity of the recent COVID surge. Here are some recent stories from Stahlman’s WLKY-TV website:

Kentucky reports 10th highest day of COVID-19 cases since start of pandemic

 As COVID-19 cases surge, governor pleads with Kentuckians to get vaccinated

 “Bursting at the seams': COVID-19 surge fills ICUs, forces hospitals to cancel surgeries

 Stahlman’s station features a Breaking News ticker at the top of its website featuring COVID alerts and a special COVID section with important information about the Delta variant, including, “Andy Slavitt, a former senior adviser to Joe Biden's COVID Response Team, described the delta variant as "the 2020 version of COVID-19 on steroids," saying it is twice as infectious.”

 Will Stahlman’s TV station be transparent and post a story about her planning a large group event during a dangerous time in in her role as RTDNA Chair & CEO? Or would that sacrifice profits RTDNA will make from selling conference tickets and sponsorships to some of the largest companies in the journalism industry?

 Maybe RTDNA can make up some of the conference money by selling more Edward R. Murrow awards for COVID coverage. It is ironic that the organization that sells Murrow awards to journalists for covering COVID is hosting a national event that could possibly further spread the deadly virus. RTDNA has gone unchallenged and unchecked for most, if not all of its existence. RTDNA has been selling Murrow awards since 1971. Who fact checks this organization that believes they have the moral right to preach their Code of Ethics, but may not follow that same code? Who decided RTDNA can judge everyone else’s work?  RTDNA. That is who decided.