The press, or news media, are protected by the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America.
Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an
establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or
abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people
peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of
grievances.
This is the Code of Ethics used to guide the news media in the exercise of their work. Do you think they are following their own Code of Ethics?
SPJ Code of Ethics
Preamble
Members of the Society of Professional Journalists believe that public enlightenment is the forerunner of justice and the foundation of democracy. Ethical journalism strives to ensure the free exchange of information that is accurate, fair and thorough. An ethical journalist acts with integrity.
The Society declares these four principles as the foundation of ethical journalism and encourages their use in its practice by all people in all media.
Members of the Society of Professional Journalists believe that public enlightenment is the forerunner of justice and the foundation of democracy. Ethical journalism strives to ensure the free exchange of information that is accurate, fair and thorough. An ethical journalist acts with integrity.
The Society declares these four principles as the foundation of ethical journalism and encourages their use in its practice by all people in all media.
Seek Truth and Report It
Ethical journalism should be accurate and fair. Journalists
should
be honest and courageous in gathering, reporting and
interpreting
information.
Journalists should:
Take responsibility for the accuracy of their work. Verify
information before
releasing it. Use original sources whenever possible.
Remember that neither speed nor format excuses inaccuracy.
Provide context. Take special care not to misrepresent or
oversimplify in
promoting, previewing or summarizing a story.
Gather, update and correct information throughout the life
of a news story.
Be cautious when making promises, but keep the promises
they make.
Identify sources clearly. The public is entitled to as much
information as possible
to judge the reliability and motivations of sources.
Consider sources’ motives before promising anonymity.
Reserve anonymity for
sources who may face danger, retribution or other harm, and
have information
that cannot be obtained elsewhere. Explain why anonymity
was granted.
Diligently seek subjects of news coverage to allow them to
respond to criticism
or allegations of wrongdoing.
Avoid undercover or other surreptitious methods of
gathering information
unless traditional, open methods will not yield information
vital to the public.
Be vigilant and courageous about holding those with power
accountable.
Give voice to the voiceless.
Support the open and civil exchange of views, even views
they find repugnant.
Recognize a special obligation to serve as watchdogs over
public affairs and
government. Seek to ensure that the public’s business is
conducted in the
open, and that public records are open to all.
Provide access to source material when it is relevant and
appropriate.
Boldly tell the story of the diversity and magnitude of the
human experience.
Seek sources whose voices we seldom hear.
Avoid stereotyping. Journalists should examine the ways
their values and
experiences may shape their reporting.
Label advocacy and commentary.
Never deliberately distort facts or context, including
visual information.
Clearly label illustrations and re-enactments.
Never plagiarize. Always attribute.
Minimize Harm
Ethical journalism treats sources, subjects, colleagues and
members of
the public as human beings deserving of respect.
Journalists should:
Balance the public’s need for information against potential
harm or discomfort.
Pursuit of the news is not a
license for arrogance or undue intrusiveness.
Show compassion for those who may be affected by news
coverage. Use
heightened sensitivity when dealing with juveniles, victims
of sex crimes,
and sources or subjects who are inexperienced or unable to
give consent.
Consider cultural differences in approach and treatment.
Recognize that legal access to information differs from an
ethical justification
to publish or broadcast.
Realize that private people have a greater right to control
information about
themselves than public figures and others who seek power,
influence or
attention. Weigh the consequences of publishing or
broadcasting personal
information.
Avoid pandering to lurid curiosity, even if others do.
Balance a suspect’s right to a fair trial with the public’s
right to know. Consider
the implications of identifying criminal suspects before
they face legal charges.
Consider the long-term implications of the extended reach
and permanence of
publication. Provide updated and more complete information
as appropriate.
Act Independently
The highest and primary obligation of ethical journalism is
to serve
the public.
Journalists should:
Avoid conflicts of interest, real or perceived. Disclose
unavoidable conflicts.
Refuse gifts, favors, fees, free travel and special
treatment, and avoid political
and other outside activities that may compromise integrity
or impartiality,
or may damage credibility.
Be wary of sources offering information for favors or
money; do not pay for
access to news. Identify content provided by outside
sources, whether paid
or not.
Deny favored treatment to advertisers, donors or any other
special interests,
and resist internal and external pressure to influence
coverage.
Distinguish news from advertising and shun hybrids that
blur the lines
between the two. Prominently label sponsored content.
Be Accountable and
Transparent
Ethical journalism means taking responsibility for one's
work and
explaining one’s decisions to the public.
Journalists should:
Explain ethical choices and processes to audiences.
Encourage a civil
dialogue with the public about journalistic practices,
coverage and news
content.
Respond quickly to questions about accuracy, clarity and
fairness.
Acknowledge mistakes and correct them promptly and
prominently. Explain
corrections and clarifications carefully and clearly.
Expose unethical conduct in journalism, including within
their organizations.
Abide by the same high standards
they expect of others.
The SPJ Code of Ethics is a statement of abiding
principles supported by additional explanations and position papers (at
spj.org) that address changing journalistic practices.
It is not a set of rules, rather a guide that encourages
all who engage in journalism to take responsibility for the information they
provide, regardless of medium. The code should be read as a whole; individual
principles should not be taken out of context. It is not, nor can it be under
the First Amendment, legally enforceable.
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