"While journalists build ties with sources to obtain information, scholars say certain boundaries must be maintained. A newly released batch of correspondence involving disgraced sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has prompted new speculation about ties between the deceased financier and United States President Donald Trump, but experts say its significance stretches beyond the White House. The never-before-seen emails have added to pressure on the Trump administration to release files about Epstein in the US government's possession, with a vote in Congress now expected as early as next week."
"But the newly released emails also raise ethical questions about the role played by acclaimed author Michael Wolff as he appeared to provide advice to Epstein on how to handle his dealings with Trump. In the exchanges published by the Democrats on the House Oversight Committee, Wolff best known for his bestselling books on the first Trump presidency appeared to share confidential information before a presidential debate on CNN in December 2015 with Epstein, advising him on how to exploit his connection with Trump."
"I hear CNN planning to ask Trump tonight about his relationship with you either on air or in scrum afterwards, Wolff wrote. If we were to craft an answer for him, what do you think it should be? Epstein replied. I think you should let him hang himself. If he says he hasn't been on the plane or to the house, then that gives you a valuable PR and political currency, Wolff told Epstein. You can hang him in a way that potentially generates a positive benefit for you, or, if it really looks like he could win, you could save him, generating a debt."
Journalistic relationships with sources require ethical boundaries even as reporters seek information. Newly released emails involving Jeffrey Epstein have spawned renewed speculation about his ties to President Donald Trump and increased pressure to release government files related to Epstein, with Congress preparing a potential vote. Trump denies wrongdoing and says ties with Epstein ended in the early 2000s. The emails also spotlight Michael Wolff appearing to advise Epstein and share confidential information before a 2015 CNN presidential debate, suggesting strategies to exploit Epstein's connection to Trump and raising ethical questions about Wolff's conduct.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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