Ethics & Libel

Ethics Excersises
Scenario 1: I would ask the official about them when she gets back for two reasons: One reason being that the documents could be insignificant to what I am reporting and she may return any minute. If she returns and I am caught snooping documents that are irrelevant then I will be facing consequences without any type of benefit. A second reason I would ask her about them rather than just looking at them would be because if I were to use information found in those documents without her consent she can then slander me for being a bad reporter and then my reputation as a journalist is ruined and I may lose other journalistic opportunities.
Scenario 2: Yes, I would do it. Many journalists and reporters have performed a job like this one and it has exposed issues resulting in a positive change. It is just another way to take advantage of an opportunity that will be benefitting the people with need-to-know knowledge.
Scenario 3: It would be wise to use the quotes AND cite them as well. The fact that you are including those quotes helps to convey your point but it would be wrong to selfishly use them without any type of credit or citation from its originator, even it is from a website.
Libel Excersise
The libelous part of the draft would be the passage: "Karen Hart, 123 Hill Hall, says the professor, George O.T. Jungle, has touched her during tutoring sessions in his office and has invited her to his apartment several times." That could result in students not signing up for his class and most likely being fired from the university. There really is no way to revise that statement except by saying that there was "inappropriate conduct" and even that is worth raising eyebrows. I would not report the story until after the formal complaint is filed and dealt with.