The Journalist And The Murderer: Summary

Final Since the beginning of journalism there has been a controversial debate over ethics and the extent to which a journalist may go to obtain a story. According to W.E.B. Dubois, integrity, honesty, decency, and courage are four primary ethical principles every person should follow. Author Janet Malcolm dives deep into the ethics of journalism in her groundbreaking publication The Journalist and the Murderer. Malcolm analyzes the ethics of best-selling author Joe McGinniss during his time developing a story on Dr. Jeffrey MacDonald.

MacDonald had been accused of murdering his pregnant wife and two children on February 17th, 1970. Following an interview between Joe McGinniss and Jeffrey MacDonald, the two agreed for McGinniss to use MacDonald as the subject of a book, Fatal Vision. MacDonald intended for the book to prove his innocence. During the duration of MacDonald's trial, McGinniss would live with him and observe his every move. Given the weight of the situation, MacDonald’s lawyer had McGinniss sign a contract that stated he would not release any defense strategies and that he would portray MacDonald in a positive light. Throughout his stay, McGinniss deceived MacDonald into believing the two were close friends.

At some point during the trial, McGinniss realized that MacDonald was not the subject he needed to fit his narrative. MacDonald was a boring person with a personality that would suggest that he would not be able to commit such a crime. McGinniss manipulated MacDonald’s words to portray him as a sociopathic womanizer that deserved to be convicted. Shortly following the publication of the novel, MacDonald sued McGinniss for breach of contract and fraud. The case was settled outside of the courtroom in which MacDonald was given $325,000. To this day, McGinniss vehemently believes MacDonald is guilty. Conversely, MacDonald has consistently plead his