In what scenario would a journalist face a conflict of interest?

A conflict of interest arises when a journalist's personal interests or affiliations could potentially compromise their objectivity and impartiality in their reporting. In the case of a journalist covering a political candidate they have previously supported, there is a strong likelihood that their prior support could influence their reporting. This scenario poses a significant ethical dilemma as the journalist might unconsciously show bias, either by framing the story in a favorable light or overlooking negative aspects related to the candidate.

In contrast, reporting on a charity event they volunteer for raises questions about bias but can be ethically managed through transparency and clear disclosure of their involvement. Similarly, writing about a local business while providing full disclosure does not inherently constitute a conflict since transparency allows readers to understand any potential bias. Therefore, the scenario involving support for a political candidate stands out as the clearest example of a conflict of interest due to its direct impact on the journalist's ability to report fairly and objectively.