A question of ethics: editorialist's spouse increases political activities.

SITUATION: The spouse of an editorial writer at a midwest daily is becoming increasingly politically active.

The newspaper's policy prohibits newsroom employees from displaying political bumper stickers on their cars or political signs in their yards. The editorial writer's spouse ignores the prohibition and puts political signs in their yard. The spouse is even solicited to run for public office.

The editorial writer is concerned that neighbors will perceive that the writer is taking sides on political issues outside the editorial column, or approaching the job with a preconceived bias.

RESOLUTION: This is a tough one. Journalists are right to subject themselves to high ethical standards, which includes in many cases limiting their personal participation in local politics. But is it fair, or even reasonable, to subject their spouses to those same restrictions?

Editorial writers have an outlet for political expression. It isn't right to limit a spouse's simply to ease our conscience.

But the activities of spouses shouldn't be ignored if they could lead to a perception of bias or impropriety. In this instance, the editorial page editor decided no action was needed, despite the editorial writer's own concern.

The signs technically violated newspaper policy, but the newspaper has no authority over the spouse of an employee. Some members of the Ethics Committee thought that, even in this instance, disclosure would have been appropriate. One suggested that the editorial writer pen a column, "not without humor," to explain the situation.

Had the editorial writer's spouse run for office, the editor would have faced a more serious problem. Her staff is simply too small to reassign the writer, which would be the preferred course of action.

Her imperfect solution would be to keep the writer out of any discussions or interviews about the spouse's race, then write a column explaining the situation and include a disclaimer in the editorial endorsement. The solution is not ideal, but given real-world limitations on staff, it's probably the best resolution.

The NCEW Ethics Committee exists to help members sort through and resolve ethical dilemmas by providing a confidential sounding board. With this column, the committee hopes to spur further discussion of ethics in our profession by presenting real-world situations (in vague-enough terms to protect the confidentiality of those involved). If you have a situation you would like the Ethics Committee to consider, please e-mail [e-mail]. Issues will be presented in this column only with the express permission of the member.