’Smallville’ Scorecard: Ethics are everything

In the eighth season premiere of "Smallville," Superboy Clark Kent fulfills his destiny, in part, by finally becoming an employee at The Daily Planet (The Birmingham News of Metropolis, if you will). No doubt there was much rejoicing by about 4.4 million geeks who tuned in, but the hire left some of us comic enthusiasts, who also happen to be journalists, collectively scratching our heads.

While we didn’t see what happened off camera, we’re led to believe super scoop Clark simply filled out an application and was hired to The Planet’s editorial staff. Keep in mind that through the series, we haven’t been shown any real college education or formal training to qualify him for the position. Granted it’s not always needed, but is usually a good idea anyway. We overlook the unlikeliness because we know The Planet is where Clark belongs. But I thought it would be fun to look at the fictional newspaper’s editorial practices to see what they’re getting right, and what they’re getting wrong.

So far I’ve determined Lois Lane is better suited to be a used car salesperson than a news reporter.

COULD GO EITHER WAY

There were some "moments" that foreshadow a future spark between Lois and Clark. While you can’t fight your destiny, I wouldn’t recommend an office romance, especially in a newsroom. You’ll have 10 green reporters who ask all the wrong questions at inappropriate times trying to find out what’s going on, 10 senior reporters who already know what’s going on but don’t care, three copy editors who correct you at every turn and an editor who tells you it’s never going to work.

RIGHT

Lois reprimands Clark on his wardrobe when he shows up for work. OK, a flannel and jeans probably isn’t the way to go for this cub reporter on his first day, unless he knows his editor is out of the office.

COULD GO EITHER WAY

When a bus explodes on the street, presumably right in front of the newspaper’s building, Clark runs to help and Lois chooses to stay in the office to "chase down leads." Sometimes, the best journalism is done at your desk and on the phone, but in this case Lois probably should have busted her hump to ground zero to ask some questions first.

RIGHT

Lois’ Rule No. 1: "Always know your source." OK, good rule, but also kind of a given. To expand, a reporter should always assess who they’re talking to, the spelling of their name, and what significance they have to the news.

WRONG

Lois finally makes it to the explosion site and tries to bribe a police officer to gain access. Tisk, tisk, Ms. Lane. That happens to be both illegal and unethical.

WRONG

Lois questions fellow reporter Clark about the bus story, records the conversation without his knowledge (illegal in some states) and plans to use his quotes and attribute them to an unnamed source. There’s nothing remotely OK with any of that.

COULD GO EITHER WAY

Lois’ Rule No. 3: "Do whatever it takes to get the story." That’s a good rule of thumb, within reason of course. Reporters have to use their good judgment, but so far it’s apparent Lois has none.

WRONG

Lois infiltrates an off limits area of a hospital (with a security badge she shouldn’t have) to steal a coroner’s report before it’s made public record. Trespassing and theft? Lois is really racking up the offenses in this episode.

WRONG

Lois gives an obituary assignment to Clark. Big newspapers have big Classifieds departments to handle these. It’s unlikely it would fall on the desk of a reporter.

WRONG

Clark wrote that obit after all. And Lois was good enough to edit it for him. While one might ask a colleague to sneak a peek at their work, a supervisory edit is going to come from a supervisor, not a peer.

The Daily Planet Record: 2 Rights; 5 Wrongs; 3 Either Ways