Journalism 6075x
Fall 1996
Professor James W. Carey
Professor Stephen D. Isaacs

On Sept. 21, members of the Society of Professional Journalists at their annual convention will vote on the new code of ethics below.

Examine the code and research how the new code came about, why the previous code was deemed passé, how the new code compares with other codes, whether of individual newspapers or of other journalistic groups, such as the RTNDA (Radio and Television News Directors Association) or the APME (Associated Press Managing Editors). Your story (not an essay) should be turned in, at the latest, before class on November 1. Aim for about 2,500 words.

Code of Ethics

Ethics Committee Draft, June 7, 1996

Preamble

Members of the Society of Professional Journalists believe that public

enlightenment is the forerunner of justice and the foundation of democracy.

The duty of the journalist is to further those ends by seeking truth and

providing a fair and comprehensive account of events and issues.

Conscientious journalists from all media and specialties strive to serve the

public with thoroughness and honesty. Professional integrity is the

cornerstone of a journalist's credibility.

Members of the Society share a dedication to ethical behavior and adopt this

code to declare the Society's principles and standards of practice.

and interpreting information. Journalists should:

— Test the accuracy of information from all sources and exercise care to

avoid inadvertent error. Deliberate distortion is never permissible.

— Diligently seek out subjects of news stories to give them the opportunity

to respond to allegations of wrongdoing.

— Identify sources whenever feasible. The public is entitled to as much

information as possible on sources' reliability.

— Always question sources' motives before promising anonymity. Clarify

conditions attached to any promise made in exchange for information. Keep

promises.

— Make certain that headlines, news teases and promotional material, photos,

video, audio, graphics, sound bites and quotations do not misrepresent. They

should not oversimplify or highlight incidents out of context.

— Never distort the content of news photos or video. Image enhancement for

technical clarity is always permissible. Label montages and photo illustrations.

— Avoid misleading re-enactments or staged news events. If re-enactment is

necessary to tell a story, label it.

— Avoid undercover or other surreptitious methods of gathering information

except when traditional open methods will not yield information vital to the

public. Use of such methods should be explained as part of the story.

— Never plagiarize.

— Tell the story of the diversity and magnitude of the human experience

boldly, even when it is unpopular to do so.

— Examine their own cultural values and avoid imposing those values on others.

— Avoid stereotyping by race, gender, age, religion, ethnicity, geography,

sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance or social status.

— Support the open exchange of views, even views they find repugnant.

— Give voice to the voiceless; official and unofficial sources of

information can be equally valid.

— Distinguish between advocacy and news reporting. Analysis and commentary

should be labeled and not misrepresent fact or context.

— Distinguish news from advertising and shun hybrids that blur the lines

between the two.

— Recognize a special obligation to ensure that the public's business is

conducted in the open and that government records are open to inspection.

Minimize Harm

Ethical journalists treat sources, subjects and colleagues as human beings

deserving of respect.

Journalists should:

— Show compassion for those who may be affected adversely by news coverage.

— Use special sensitivity when dealing with children and inexperienced sources

or subjects.

— Be sensitive when seeking or using interviews or photographs of those

affected by tragedy or grief.

— Recognize that gathering and reporting information may cause harm or

discomfort. Pursuit of the news is not a license for arrogance.

— Recognize that private people have a greater right to control information

about themselves than do public officials and others who seek power,

influence or attention. Only an overriding public need can justify intrusion

into anyone's privacy.

— Show good taste. Avoid pandering to lurid curiosity.

— Be cautious about identifying juvenile suspects or victims of sex crimes.

— Be judicious about naming criminal suspects before the formal filing of

charges.

— Balance a criminal suspect's fair trial rights with the public's right to

be informed.

public's right to know.

Journalists should:

— Avoid conflicts of interest, real or perceived.

— Remain free of associations and activities that may compromise integrity

or damage credibility.

— Refuse gifts, favors, fees, free travel and special treatment, and shun

secondary employment, political involvement, public office and service in

community organizations if they compromise journalistic integrity.

— Disclose unavoidable conflicts.

— Be vigilant and courageous about holding those with power accountable.

— Deny favored treatment to advertisers and special interests and resist

their pressure to influence news coverage.

— Be wary of sources offering information for favors or money; avoid bidding

for news.

Be Accountable

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

other.

Journalists should:

— Clarify and explain news coverage and invite dialogue with the public over

journalistic conduct.

— Encourage the public to voice grievances against the news media.

— Admit mistakes and correct them promptly.

— Expose unethical practices of journalists and the news media.

— Abide by the same high standards to which they hold others.