Ethics in Journalism

Ethics in JournalismIntro to TV ProductionMrs. Pettus

What are ethics? AKA- Moral Philosophy Right vs. Wrong Moral vs. Immoral Personal Choices Professional Choices

Determine a person, or organizations’ character

How do we use Ethics in our daily activities?

How do we use Ethics as Journalists? To decide which stories we run in our

newscasts and publications. It’s a journalists’ JOB to inform the

public, and to do it ethically.

How do we know what is and is not Ethical? Journalistic Code of Ethics. We must be:

Responsible Fair Honest Accurate Independent We must Minimize Harm Be Accountable

Guiding Principles Seek truth and report it as fully as possible.

Be vigorous in your pursuit of accuracy. Be honest, fair and courageous in gathering,

reporting and interpreting information. Give voice to the voiceless; document the

unseen. Hold the powerful accountable, especially those

who hold power over free speech and expression. Be accountable.

www.Poynter.org

Be transparent. Show how the reporting was done and why people should

believe it. Explain your sources, evidence and the choices you made. Reveal what you cannot know. Make intellectual honesty your guide and humility (rather than false omniscience) your asset.

Clearly articulate your journalistic approach, whether you strive for independence or approach information from a political or philo sophical point of view. Describe how your point of view impacts the information you report, including how you select the topics you cover and the sources that inform your work.

Acknowledge mistakes and errors, correct them quickly and in a way that encourages people who consumed the faulty information to know the truth.

www.Poynter.org

 Engage community as an end, rather than as a means. Make an effort to understand the needs of your community

(CHS, Ozark, Wiregrass) and allow communication between you and the community.

Seek out and disseminate competing perspectives without being unduly influenced by those who would use their power or position counter to the public interest.

Recognize that good ethical decisions require individual responsi bility enriched by collaboration.

Seek publishing alternatives that minimize the harm that results from your actions and be compassionate and empathetic toward those affected by your work.

Allow and encourage members of the community to self-inform. Make journalism a continuing dialogue in which everyone can responsibly take part and be informed.

www.Poynter.org

The Falling ManNew York Times/APSept. 11, 2011

The Potter Box

Is it in good taste?

What’s going on?

Is it needed?

Ask yourself….. What do I know? What do I need to know? What is my journalistic purpose?  What are my ethical concerns? What organizational policies and

professional guidelines should I consider? How can I include other people, with

different perspectives and diverse ideas, in the decision-making process?

10 Questions Continued.. Who are the stakeholders -- those affected by my decision?

What are their motivations? Which are legitimate?

What if the roles were reversed? How would I feel if I were in the shoes of one of the stakeholders?

What are the possible consequences of my actions? Short term? Long term?

What are my alternatives to maximize my truth telling responsibility and minimize harm?

Can I clearly and fully justify my thinking and my decision? To my colleagues? To the stakeholders? To the public?

Further Reading To Catch a Predator- Ethical journali

sm or “Creating” the news?

http://www.spj.org/ecs8.asp