Responsibility of a Journalist and Code of Ethics

Every staff should have a code of ethics to follow so that all

members will understand what it means to be a responsible

journalist. This can be a part of your policy manual.

The code of ethics of the Society of Professional Journalists is a good model to

follow.

The staff’s code of ethics should address some of the “danger

zones” that journalists much watch out for: unsubstantial or fluffy writing,

sensationalism, off-the-record information, investigative reporting,

photomanipulation,

personal ads, etc.

The SPJ Code of Ethics is organized around four main principles:

•Seek truth and report it.

•Minimize harm.

•Act independently.

•Be accountable.

I shall scrupulously report and interpret the news, taking care not to suppress essential facts nor to distort

the truth by omission or improper emphasis. I recognize the duty to air

the other side and the duty to correct substantive errors promptly.

I shall not violate confidential information on material given me in the

exercise of my calling.

I shall resort only to fair and honest methods in my effort to obtain news,

photographs and/or documents and shall properly identify myself as a representative

of the press when obtaining any personal interview intended for publication.

I shall refrain from writing reports which will adversely affect a private reputation unless the public interest

justifies it. At the same time, I shall fight vigorously for public access to information,

as provided in the Constitution.

Journalists should be honest, fair and courageous in gathering, reporting and

interpreting information.

Your staff’s code of ethics should specify guidelines for ensuring

accuracy, objectivity, balance and fairness.

I shall not let personal motive or interests influence me in

the performance of my duties, nor shall I accept or

offer any present, gift or other consideration of a

nature which may cast doubt on my professional integrity.

Journalists should be free of obligation to any interest other than the public’s right to

know.

The code should state that journalists will not receive favors or gifts from anyone

associated with newspaper business. The public may perceive this as a way these

businesses are influencing the newspaper.

I shall not commit any act of plagiarism.

I shall not in any manner ridicule, cast aspersion on, or degrade any person by reason

of sex, creed, religious belief, political conviction, cultural and ethnic origin.

I shall presume persons accused of crime of being innocent until proven otherwise. I shall

exercise caution in publishing names of minors and women involved in criminal cases so that

they may not unjustly lose their standing in society.

Ethical journalists treat sources, subjects and colleagues as human beings deserving of respect.

Encourage sensitivity, especially when covering controversial or emotional topics.

Your code of ethics should include warnings against obscenity, invasion of privacy, libel, disruption,

copyright violation, hate speech, false advertising, “fighting words”, and other forms of expression not

protected by the First Amendment.

I shall not take advantage of a fellow journalist

I shall accept only such tasks as are compatible with the integrity and dignity of

my profession, invoking the “conscience clause” when duties imposed on me conflict

with the voice of my conscience.

I shall not comfort myself in public or while performing any duties as journalist in such

manner as to maintain the dignity of my profession. When in doubt, decency should

be my watchword

Journalists are accountable to their readers, listeners, viewers and each other.

The code of ethics should stress the importance of serving your readers. It should

include a commitment to correct mistakes promptly and to expose unethical practices by

other journalists.

•Make sure the sources of your information are reliable and trustworthy. Avoid using anonymous sources.

•Don’t ever make up anything or fake anything, even if it seems like a tiny, unimportant detail. Fabrication of anything is unethical.

•Be sensitive to politically correct language. Follow current nonoffensive usage in reference to race, religion, age, sex, nationality and physical or mental disability. Include a list of PC terms in your stylebook or policy manual.

•Avoid asking personal questions of your sources. Do not cross the line into invasion of privacy.

•Make sure quotes are not taken out of context. Include enough of the entire quote to represent fairly what was actually said.

•If you criticize someone, give him/her a chance to respond in the same story.

•Always consider community standards about obscenity.

•When you review a performance , remember the fair comment rule. This is the rule that gives you freedom to express unfavorable opinion about matters of public opinion. These comments must be clearly opinions and must be based on stated facts. This rule protects reviews from libel.