For all members in the journalism field there are strict rules of ethics to ensure that mass media continues to strive for accuracy and honesty. Under this code of ethics, journalists are not allowed to accept a free meal or promotional items. This ensures that any bias or preference is removed in the journalist’s reporting.

If a ham sandwich is borderline unethical then there should be no question about $240,000. However, Armstrong Williams, a nationally syndicated radio, print and television personality, overlooked the consequences of an extremely unethical financial offer for this amount when he accepted the money to do promotion for a third party.

Whose money was this and who offered it to Williams anyway? The money was the taxpayers’, and it was the government who gave it to Williams.

The Education Department paid Williams to promote the No Child Left Behind Act – the centerpiece of President Bush’s domestic agenda that aims to improve achievement among low-income and minority children. This promotion included producing radio and TV ads, featuring one-minute “reads” by Education Secretary Rod Paige and allowing Paige and other officials to appear as guests with Williams.

There is no question that this deal goes against many ethical obligations of journalists. Williams told the Associated Press Friday, “Even though I’m not a journalist – I’m a commentator – I feel I should be held to the media ethics standard.”

Williams’ actions negatively affect the perceptions of news media everywhere. The Lantern promises that nobody has offered us $240,000 and even if they did, we would throw it back in their face. However, it takes one bad apple for journalists everywhere to want to leave Williams on an isolated, media-free island without a pen or a checking account.

Great. So Williams knows he messed up. Media services have stopped distribution of Williams’ columns and we believe that action is well-deserved.

When it comes to the government’s role, The Lantern believes that the Bush administration should know better.

If the Bush administration believes the No Child Left Behind Act is a good and promising step in education reform, then the administration should let the legislation speak for itself. If the Bush administration believes that they need to pay journalists to promote it, then maybe they should rethink the legislation.

Another dishonest incident within the Bush administration did not leave The Lantern on the floor in shock but we had hoped for a little more integrity from a fellow journalist.