Media ethics

ETHICS IN JOURNALISM

BY: CHELDY SYGACO ELUMBA-PABLEO, MPA;LLB

The fundamentals of media credibility

What is ethics?The word “ethics” refers to the application of moral principals in the way that we conduct our individual or group behavior.

CHELDY SYGACO ELUMBA-PABLEO, MPA;LLB

What is morals?Morals are the principals of right and wrong behavior that are agreed upon by society.

Examples of morals:• Don’t lie • Don’t cheat

• Don’t hurt others

• Don’t steal


Where do morals come from?

Although morals are generally seen as separate from religion, most religions have strict codes of moral behavior. The morals we share as a society are often based on the moral teachings originally found in religion. Fortunately most religions and societies hold similar morals, so what is moral in one country or to one religion is generally the same elsewhere.


In law:

Ethics and the LawMany laws are based on ethical principles, which are in turn based on morals.

If something is unethical it is usually illegal.

But not everything that is illegal is unethical. CHELDY SYGACO ELUMBA-PABLEO, MPA;LLB

Journalism example:

legal to print name of minor child hit in car accident, but not necessarily ethical. Legal to badger a victim of a traumatic crime for information but not ethical. CHELDY SYGACO ELUMBA-PABLEO, MPA;LLB

How are journalistic ethics

different from any other ethics?


How it looks is as important as how it is.

In journalism your readers’ confidence will erode if you appear to be behaving unethically, even if you didn’t actually do anything wrong

This isn’t

what it looks like!


You have to be accurate.

You must double check all stats, titles, names and other facts in your articles. Facts from one source have to be corroborated by other sources. When you get a fact wrong, you must run a correction in the next issue and fix it online immediately.


Don’t make things upThe most basic rule in journalism

Non-fiction is the heart and soul of what we do


Don’t plagiarizeAlong with fabrication, one of the two capital offenses in journalismEasier to get caught than ever before because of Google and LexisNexis

Background doesn’t have to be attributed — but what is background?


No libel, or you will get sued

Libel -- The crime of writing and printing false spoken statements that are damaging to a person’s reputation.

LIBELOUS : Media practitioner has no proof and publish it so that many can read.


Exact quotes are exact quotes

What’s inside quotation marks is exactly what the person said

Don’t use quotation marks for indirect quotesUse fragmentary quotes when you only get a few pithy comments


Get your terms right!

The College Voice follows the Associated Press stylebook in all references to race, ethnicity, sexual orientation and national origin. Such language reflects that conventionally considered most accurate, unbiased and representative.

Negro or African-American?Illegal Immigrant or undocumented?

Transgendered? Transvestite? Transsexual? Tyranny?Homo?

LGBTQRSTUV? Latino? Hispanic? Mexican?Terrorist? Freedom fighter?Someone from Laos is a ???

Cop or law enforcement agent?


Avoid conflicts of interestDo not quote your family members unless you’re writing a personal

essayDo not report on story in which you or family members are directly

involvedDo not accept gifts from sources• You can’t report on a team or club or event in which you currently or

have ever participated. • You can’t report on a place where you have ever worked. • You can’t engage in any activity on which you are reporting (i.e. dancing

with a stripper at a XXX convention, carrying a picket sign at an Occupy rally etc.).

• You can’t report on a business or event run by a friend or family member.

When there is even a remote relationship between the reporter and the story, it must be fully disclosed directly within the text of the article.


Be fair and neutralSeek out the truth and report all sidesAlways contact someone who is being criticized by others

Write in the “objective” voice — keep your opinion to yourself


Identify yourselfAlways tell a potential source that you’re a reporter working on a story

Never turn a conversation into an interview without permission

Undercover assignments must be approved at the highest level


Anonymous sourcesUrge them to go on the record; use them as little as possible

Your editor has a right to know your source’s identity

You are bound by the promise you madeEx post facto requests to go off the record must be handled with care


Recorder protocolMassachusetts is a two-party stateFirst thing we should hear is, “I’ve just turned on the recorder”

Recording is becoming more important in online journalism


Admit your mistakesWe all make themPrompt and willing correction can help avoid libel suit

Adds to media credibility


Have fun!

Love what you are doing and you will enjoy every single minute of your work.


BEST PRACTICE


1. No giftsReporters may not accept gifts, favors, free travel, special treatment or privileges as these may compromise their reporting or have the appearance of favoritism that will erode the trust of the readership.

THE SOLE EXCEPTION: to this is to acceptance of event tickets. As is standard in the journalism industry, when an event planner wants to ensure that a particular event receives coverage, they should contact the MEDIA to cover in advance to request coverage and should provide complimentary tickets or an entrance pass for press. The provision of tickets does not ensure a “positive” article.


2. No abuse of powerUSE OF A POSITION with to gain personal advantage or to make inquiries for any other purpose than work is strictly prohibited.

Hey, I’m a

reporter. I know

people. I can help

you out if you

give me some

free dim sum.


3. No insider tradingMedia are not permitted to use information not yet made available to the public for personal gain.

So I’m reporting on a

secret corporate plan to raise Steve Jobs

from the dead. Maybe

I should just buy a few

shares of Apple stock

while I’m thinking of it.


4. No threatening people to get information

Reporter should not threaten sources or promise favorable coverage or money in exchange for information.. If you don’t tell me

how many calories

are in these MCCC

burgers, I’ll bust

your kneecaps.


5. You must tell people you’re a reporter

must fully disclose their identity to all sources.

So, President

Duterte, have you

ever used drugs

while on the job?

Why do I ask? Oh,

no reason. Just curious.


6. You must ask to record

Oh, no officer Flaherty.

I’m not wearing a wire.

That’s just…uh…my ID

tag?!

Reporters must ask sources before recording conversations


“The right to free expression is a human right and a basic freedom enshrined in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In the first place, it is a right in itself – the right to receive and impart information and ideas through any media – but it also allows all other basic rights to be freely exercised and protected. Many instances throughout history have taught us that, when freedom of expression starts to collapse, other basic freedoms can quickly suffer the same fate.”;---reporters without borders

Thank you for reading

cheldhaye