Which scenario exemplifies a conflict of interest in journalism?

In journalism, a conflict of interest arises when a journalist or media organization has a vested interest that could potentially influence their reporting or objectivity. The scenario where a newspaper buys a sports team and then covers that team exemplifies a conflict of interest because the newspaper has a financial stake in the success of the team. This can compromise the integrity of the reporting, as the newspaper may face pressure to portray the team positively, impacting the objectivity that is essential in journalism.

This situation can lead to biased reporting, where the interests of the business (the newspaper's ownership of the team) overshadow the journalistic duty to provide fair and impartial coverage. By covering a team they own, the newspaper may not be able to critically analyze the team's performance, scandals, or issues due to their potential economic interests. Thus, the newspaper's dual role as both owner and reporter creates a significant ethical dilemma, which is a classic example of a conflict of interest in journalism.