Ethics is a big part of journalism. However, journalism is not a one-man job. Journalists can enlist the help of other professionals, like transcriptionists, to make their work easier. Certain news professionals turn to these solutions to keep their reporting on point. They use transcripts to double-check quotes, give credit where it’s due, and so on. However, an underlying issue that isn’t well discussed is the ethics of using a transcription service company in journalism.
Some reporters now have to deal with privacy issues and getting the green light from sources. And they also can’t ignore the concerns about biases sneaking into the final transcripts.
So, what do journalists need to look for in an ethical transcription service provider to maintain their integrity while outsourcing the task?
In this article, you’ll learn how:
- Detailed records safeguard against misinformation to ensure journalism responsibly informs the public.
- Typical accuracy guarantees for automated transcription solutions reach up to 86%, while human transcription reaches over 99%.
- Ditto’s long history in the industry, coupled with its stringent security and privacy measures, ensures that our transcription services always observe and follow the ethics of journalism.
Why Are Accurate Transcripts Crucial in Journalism?
The short answer is accurate records form the backbone of reliable journalism.
Reporters can rely on precise transcripts of interviews and statements to maintain their credibility. These accounts allow news outlets to present information faithfully by giving audiences the raw material to form their opinions.
Transcripts also serve as crucial tools for fact-checking, which helps journalists uphold high standards of accuracy. Sticking closely to original statements prevents misinterpretations that could skew public understanding.
Another important reason is that, in the high-stakes world of news reporting, these detailed records safeguard against misinformation to ensure journalism fulfills its role in responsibly informing the public.
Essential Transcripts For Journalism
Here are the most common transcription applications in journalism.
| Types | Description |
| Interview Transcripts | Ensures accurate quoting and context preservation, preventing misrepresentation of sources. |
| Press Conference Transcripts | Provides a complete record of public statements for thorough analysis and reporting. |
| Court Proceeding Transcripts | Documents the official record of legal arguments, testimonies, and rulings for precise legal reporting. |
| Media Event Transcripts | Captures the nuances of conversations and perspectives from multiple participants in discussions or debates. |
Ethics And Considerations in Transcription Services for Journalism
Let’s focus on the most significant and actionable considerations for ethical transcription in journalism.
Ensuring Precision and Upholding Journalistic Standards
Journalists must ensure their transcription partners are on point to keep their stories credible and above board. The people transcribing must keep their lips shut when it comes to crucial details they might encounter. As they say, loose lips sink ships—or, at least in journalism, reputations.
The transcription provider must also stick to the facts, writing down exactly what’s said without throwing in their two cents. These transcribers need to keep their eyes on the prize, understanding that their work could make waves—good or bad—for the people involved.
Proper Source Citation and Fact-Checking Processes
Another ethical consideration is giving credit where credit is due and double-checking the facts.
Journalists need to be careful when using quotes and information from transcripts. They must also point out who said what to clarify their reporting. Skipping this step could land them in hot water, as they could be accused of stealing ideas.
However, that’s not all. Reporters must verify that the transcribed content is highly accurate before it hits the presses. That means listening to recordings or understanding the full context of what was said. Doing this homework helps keep fake news at bay and keeps the news outlet’s credibility intact.
Safeguarding Personal Information and Obtaining Necessary Permissions
News outlets must establish ground rules to ensure nobody is caught off guard when their words appear in print. They must also notify interviewees, especially if the topic is sensitive or the person is vulnerable.
As they say, consent is non-negotiable.
Sometimes, journalists might stumble upon sensitive information without a clear thumbs-up, like leaked recordings or anonymous tips. In those cases, transcribers need to weigh whether spilling the beans serves the greater good or might cause more harm than good.
That’s why asking for consent from all parties involved (and getting it all on paper) is the most effective way to maintain ethics in journalism transcription services.
Mitigating Prejudice and Maintaining Editorial Independence
Sneaky biases can creep into the transcripts or even hold onto the reins of editorial control, so journalists must be vigilant about it.
Twisting words or cherry-picking quotes can lead the public down a garden path of mixed-up facts. To avoid this mess, reporters should only team up with reliable transcription providers that’ll give them the lowdown on what’s in the story they’re working on.
Double-checking the transcripts against the original recordings is necessary to catch any misunderstandings. If journalists need to trim down a transcript for clarity, they must be honest about any changes to ensure the heart of the message stays intact.
Promoting Openness and Taking Responsibility for Content
News outlets need to let their audience know how they use transcription services and what technology they employ to get the job done. Putting all this info out there helps keep readers in the loop and builds trust. Journalists can’t just wash their hands of the process once the transcript is done. They need to get their hands dirty to ensure everything’s on the up and up, fixing any slip-ups.
Setting up a solid system for reviewing, with editors keeping an eye on and fact-checkers doing their thing, helps ensure that what ends up in print meets the gold standard of journalism. If they make a mistake, news organizations need to own up to it fast and show they’re not afraid to admit their lapses.
Factors To Consider When Choosing a Transcription Service Provider
We must also tackle the important factors when choosing a media transcription provider after discussing the ethical considerations.
Accuracy
The repercussions of transcript inaccuracy can be heavy and far-reaching. Journalism transcripts, especially verbatim ones, can sometimes be used in court hearings and other legal proceedings. This means that errors could lead to misinterpretations and have the potential to significantly—and negatively—impact an ongoing court case.
Typical accuracy guarantees for automated solutions reach up to 86%. Human transcription, meanwhile, reaches up to more than 99%. That means human-completed transcripts won’t have too many glaring errors, if at all. Verbatim transcription, even with jargon, is done cleanly. You can reliably use them for any court case with confidence that everything is accurate.
Affordability
High-quality transcription comes at a price, but a cost-effective provider knows how to balance their pricing structures with the quality of their work. Choosing a fly-by-night transcription provider that employs sneaky tactics like hidden fees and discretionary charges is a quick way to rack up expenses.
Reliable transcription companies meet their clients’ transcription needs quickly and accurately without charging exorbitant prices. They provide costs upfront and are willing to contact clients if the current pricing models don’t match the required work. Additionally, reliable transcription partners, like Ditto Transcripts, often allow clients to pay for service as is without committing to long-term contracts.
Our pricing starts at $1.50 per audio minute, and we offer different turnaround time options for every budget.
Experience
Some companies may offer low prices that reflect their lack of experience, and journalists can sometimes unknowingly fall into this trap. Transcripts from such providers are inaccurate and low-quality because they are not well-versed in journalism.
They often offer limited file formats, don’t provide timestamps, or use free speech recognition tools and platforms to get the job done, and conveniently (at least for them) neglect the editing and proofreading process altogether. Ultimately, dealing with low-quality transcription companies will cost you more time, money, and effort.
A reputable transcription company with over a decade of experience, like Ditto Transcripts, will never compromise on the quality of your transcripts. We offer accurate services with fast turnaround times and can handle any document or audio file. You can request a sample transcription to assess the quality of our service at any time.
Flexibility And Expanded Services
Customization and flexibility are essential when selecting a transcription service, as news media outlets can have different transcription requirements.
This can include the ability to scale and meet changing demands, transcribe different audio files from different sources, convert transcripts to specific file formats, add digital signatures, speaker labels, and time stamps, and accommodate rush or bulk jobs.
Confidentiality And Security Measures
Reviewing the quality of security and privacy measures is one of the best ways to ensure the company you want to work with is up and up. Typical security measures include secure servers, top-of-the-line encryption, well-managed user access channels, individual passwords for every user, and sophisticated recording and tracking measures.
Ability To Certify Transcripts
Transcriptions from depositions, custody hearings, conference calls, client meetings, witness statements, interviews, and other transcription documents are popular in the news industry. Furthermore, courts often admit transcripts and submit them as evidence.
However, transcriptions submitted to the court require proper certification—meaning your transcriptionist must be able to certify their transcripts. Transcript certification has strict requirements, including the transcriber’s capacity to appear in open court and testify under oath. Offshore and automated transcription services, therefore, cannot certify transcripts. Ditto will happily certify transcripts upon request.
Top-of-the-line Customer Service
Transcription work doesn’t involve producing accurate transcripts or being well-versed in media terminology. Clients may have follow-up questions or request additions or corrections if necessary, which is why it’s crucial to look for a transcription provider with great customer service.
Ditto ensures prompt response times via multiple communication channels so customers don’t get left on hold or have their calls go unanswered. You can check online reviews from past customers or ask if the company can provide references.
Follow The Ethics Of Journalism Transcription Services With Ditto
Don’t waste time looking for cheap transcription providers when you already have the best.
Ditto Transcripts has extensive knowledge of media and its terminologies, can work within any timeline, and provides the highest levels of quality. Our transcription process ensures that we deliver 99% accuracy all the time. We don’t do automated transcription, and everyone on our staff—transcribers, transcription editors, and customer service managers—is an expert in the field.
Ditto Transcripts is a HIPAA, FINRA, and CJIS-compliant transcription company based in Denver, Colorado. We provide fast, accurate, and reliable transcription services for individuals and companies of all sizes. Call (720) 287-3710 today for a free quote and ask about our free five-day trial.
