ETHICS POLICY

"As the free press develops, the paramount point is whether the journalist, like the scientist or scholar, puts truth in the first place or in the second."

--- Walter Lippman

Address to International Press Institute (London, 1965)

Ethics policy

The following is the ethics policy of the Argus Leader newsroom: Certain topics are not discussed in this policy because they are unstated rules of journalism. Journalists must maintain the highest degree of honesty and integrity in their coverage of the news.

Our allegiance to the First Amendment should be as strong as our commitment to the public's welfare. This includes protection of sources, notes and photographs from those who would seek to abridge those rights.

To do so, certain obvious practices must be avoided.

Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Photographs should reflect a situation and not distort it. Situations involving grief of others should be reported, yet should not exploit that grief. Headlines should accurately reflect the story.

The newspaper must have as its concern the public welfare. Often, we make decisions that affect the lives of others and we should be sensitive to it. Occasionally, we run into situations that pit the public welfare against the public's right to know; in those cases, we must use our consciences as a guide to our actions.

I. Gifts:

No gift of more than $3 value may be accepted by any Argus Leader news staffer under any circumstances. Any such gift should be returned promptly with an explanation that the offer, however well-intended, is in conflict with professional and company standards.

II. Travel:

News staff members may not accept free trips, junkets, reduced rate travel, accommodations or meals.

If news coverage is enhanced by accepting special travel arrangements, such as covering a sports team or political campaign or an inaugural ceremony, the newspaper will pay for the accommodation on a pro rata basis, or at prevailing commercial rates. For example, if a chartered flight costs $500 and there are 10 people on board, the newspaper will pay $50.

When free travel is the only means of transportation available to cover the news, staff members should have the advance approval of the executive editor or managing editor or, if circumstances do not permit that, they must report the travel as soon as possible thereafter.

III. Tickets:

Free admission to public events -- i.e., all sports, entertainment and other events for which the public pays admission -- should be limited to staffers actually covering the event. If the staffer takes a seat that otherwise could be sold to the paying public, the Argus Leader will pay for admission.

Staff members attending an event on their own time should buy a ticket at their own expense.

Special previews for critics before general release are allowed, though the preview must be private with no tickets sold to the general public.

Restaurant critics should pay for meals and beverage and submit an expense voucher.

IV. Reviewer copy:

Unsolicited, unreviewed products received for promotional purposes should be given to charities.

No book, record, tape or any other reusable product received -- solicited or unsolicited -- may be sold by any news staffer.

Products reviewed or tested may be retained by the user.

V. Business entertainment:

Whenever practical, staff members should pay for meals associated with news coverage and submit an expense voucher. Exceptions may be made for non-recurring situations. Common sense should prevail.

The Argus Leader should pay actual per plate meal costs at political or other such fund-raising affairs if it is established that news gathering requires dining with those attending.

If refusal of a meal or a dispute about a check would embarrass the news source or news staffer, common sense should prevail. If the situation is a recurring one, advance agreement should be reached for alternating payments at company expense for the news staffer.

Staff members may not accept free or reduced rate memberships in social or other clubs. All memberships important to news coverage will be paid by the company, such as press groups.

Attendance by news staffers at a party conducted solely for members of the media by news sources is discouraged but not prohibited. For example, there is a good deal of news value in attending political party press functions in Pierre but little news value in attending Bell Telephone's annual Christmas press party in Sioux Falls.

VI. Outside activities:

News staff members must avoid involvement in public activities that have the potential for a conflict of interest or could create the impression with the public of a conflict of interest. Non-conflicting community involvement is encouraged.

Participation of any kind in politics, political parties or political action committees from running for office at any level to working as volunteers -- is not permitted for any member of the news staff. Such banned activities include bumper stickers and stuffing envelopes.



This section does not prevent voting or registration in apolitical party of choice for voting purposes.

Work in public relations is prohibited, whether volunteer or for pay.

Volunteer work in charitable causes may be permitted under local policy, if limited to non-controversial activities.

A news staff member's position with the company must not be used for personal gain or influence in any direct or implied way.

There will be no contributions to political candidates, political parties or political action committees. In contributions to and/or memberships in other groups, the appearance of conflict should be avoided.

The "common sense" clause requires that all parties maintain communication and understanding so that professional standards may be maintained without undue restraint on personal activities. Common sense must prevail.

VII. Outside employment:

Outside employment by news staff professionals is permitted only when the job does not create a conflict of interest or leave the impression of a conflict, thereby compromising the ability of the news staffer to report the news.

Working for a competing news organization within the Argus Leader's circulation area is prohibited.

Free-lance work is to be allowed if there is no conflict of time or interest. The Argus Leader retains publication rights to all news stories and photographs on assignment.

News staff members may not act as sports officials,scorers, judges, umpires or referees for pay or as a volunteer at professional, collegiate or high school competitions. Scoring for professional teams is prohibited under this section.

Any outside employment covered in this section must have the prior approval of the executive editor and managing editor and shall include a statement from the staffer (in writing) on the specifics of such employment.

This section should not be construed to prohibit volunteer community involvement, as outlined in section VI.

VIII. Investments:

Financial investments that might conflict with the news staffer's ability to handle the news -- or those which could leave any impression of conflict -- are prohibited.

Newsroom management should be made aware of any investment that might create the impression of a conflict or reflect on the newspaper's reputation for independence.

Particular concern should be given investments that are particularly sensitive to news developments- financial, political, government -- or which are apt to be influenced by local public opinion.

No newsroom manager shall make any budgeting decision that will affect his or her personal income whether the income is from the newspaper, outside free-lance work or any other source.

IX. Relationships:

Staff members should be sensitive to potential compromise of their professional standing through personal relationships. If a conflict arises in the mind of a staff member or an editor, it should be discussed.

X. Corrections:

News column errors must be corrected and misunderstandings clarified promptly. Corrections and clarifications will be played in an anchored position on page 3A. The reason an error occurred should be explained. News staffers should take the initiative in correcting or clarifying the record, regardless of whether a reader complaint is made.

XI. Contests:

Entries in competition that reflect professional achievement are encouraged.

Contests based upon professional standards and independent judging and sponsored by professional, academic or non-profit organizations are recommended.

Contests conducted by any special interest groups -- commercial, political, promotional or such -- should be avoided unless the judging is controlled by independent professionals.

The Argus Leader will match any money won by any news staffer in any legitimate contest (within the reasonable confines of the budget and with the approval of the executive editor or managing editor).

XII. Other issues:

A. Investigative techniques

Reporters, clerks and editors will identify themselves by name and tell sources they are from the Argus Leader. Withholding that information will be permissible only in extreme circumstances and will be cleared only by the executive editor or managing editor. In such cases, every attempt should be made to allow the person to comment.

B. Arrests and convictions

Arrest and/or conviction for a crime may be cause for dismissal.

C. Cooperation with investigations

All notes, photographic negatives and photographs collected during work for the Argus Leader are the property of the newspaper and will not be given voluntarily to outside investigators (police,lawyers, insurance companies, etc.). Gannett guidelines on search and seizure shall be followed.

D. News. photos in advertisements

Photographs taken specifically for news columns shall not be used in advertisements unless approved by the executive editor or managing editor.

E. Boosterism

It is not the newspaper's role to promote; rather, it is its role to report news. Sponsored projects -- be they by a small or large advertiser, charity or foundation -- should be given the same consideration as other news stories or news releases and should not be promoted beyond their legitimate news value. When in doubt, see the executive editor or managing editor.