Reporting Ethics

Title


Ethical Theories

Golden mean:
when there are extreme positions in a situation,
one seeks a middle ground. The proper thing
to do is to tell what is appropriate in the
situation.


Ethical Theories

Categorical Imperative
people should behave onl as the wish
everone else to behave. !ne is dut bound
to do what is right in ever instance. !ne must
alwas tell the truth. The use o" deception to
obtain a stor is "orbidden.


Ethical Theories

#tilitarianism
$udge what is right b asking what will give the
greatest good to the greatest number o"
people.
To determine what is ethical behavior in an
situation, we must balance right and wrong
and act in a wa that results in more good than
evil.


Ethical Theories

Golden Rule
Treat others "airl.


Ethical %ilemas

&ighl sensitive government documents

related to the '()' war are leaked to our
news organi*ation. These documents reveal
corruption b arm o""icers. The in"ormation is
con"idential and government o""icials ask ou
not to publish these documents "or national
securit reasons. +hat will ou do, %o ou
think in this case national securit is more
important or the public-s right to know,

&ighl sensitive government documents

related to the ongoing war in the tribal areas
are leaked to our news organi*ation. These
documents reveal positions o" militants living in
.akistan along with the positions o" our troops.
The in"ormation is con"idential and government
o""icials ask ou not to publish these
documents "or national securit reasons. +hat
will ou do, %o ou think in this case national
securit is more important or the public-s right
to know,


Ethical %ilemas

/ou are writing a stor on corrupt practices b

a politician. To get the politicians point o" view
ou call him "or an interview and he invites ou
to his place. &e o""ers ou dinner. +ill ou
accept it,


Ethical %ilemmas

/ou are writing a news stor on a revolutionar

medicine made b a pharmaceutical compan.
The compan o""ers to "l ou to &awaii "or a
vacation in return "or writing this news stor.
+ill ou accept this o""er,

+ill ou put .TI-s bumper sticker on our car

and attend .TI rallies,

+ould ou publish a personal opinion blog,

0.$ Code o" Ethics

0eek Truth and Report It

$ournalists should be honest, "air and courageous in

gathering, reporting and interpreting in"ormation.
1 Test the accurac o" in"ormation "rom all sources and exercise care
to avoid error. %eliberate distortion is never permissible.
1 %iligentl seek out sub2ects o" news stories to give them the
opportunit to respond to allegations o" wrongdoing.
1 Identi" sources whenever "easible. The public is entitled to as
much in"ormation as possible on sources- reliabilit.
1 3lwas 4uestion sources5 motives be"ore promising anonmit.
Clari" conditions attached to an promise made in exchange "or
in"ormation. 6eep promises.
1 7ake certain that headlines, news teases and promotional
material, photos, video, audio, graphics, sound bites and 4uotations
do not misrepresent. The should not oversimpli" or highlight
incidents out o" context.


0eek Truth and Report It
1 8ever distort the content o" news photos or video.
1 3void misleading re9enactments or staged news events. I" re9
enactment is necessar to tell a stor, label it.
1 3void undercover methods o" gathering in"ormation except when
traditional open methods will not ield in"ormation vital to the public.
#se o" such methods should be explained as part o" the stor
1 8ever plagiari*e.
1 Tell the stor o" the diversit and magnitude o" the human
experience boldl, even when it is unpopular to do so.
1 Examine their own cultural values and avoid imposing those
values on others.
1 3void stereotping b race, gender, age, religion, ethnicit or
social status.


0eek Truth and Report It
1 0upport the open exchange o" views.
1 Give voice to the voiceless.
1 %istinguish between advocac and news reporting. 3nalsis and
commentar should be labeled and not misrepresent "act or context.
1 %istinguish news "rom advertising.
1 Recogni*e a special obligation to ensure that the public-s
business is conducted in the open and that government records are
open to inspection.


7inimi*e &arm
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 seeing or using interviews or photographs of

those affected by tragedy or grief!

"ecognize that gathering and reporting information may cause harm

or discomfort. #ursuit of the news is not a license for arrogance.


7inimi*e &arm

"ecognize that private people have a greater right to control

information about themselves than do public officials and others
who see power$ influence or attention.

%nly an overriding public need can justify intrusion into anyone&s

privacy.

Be cautious about identifying juvenile suspects or victims of sex

crimes.

Balance a criminal suspect&s fair trial rights with the public&s right to
be informed.


3ct Independentl
'ct (ndependently
Journalists should be free of obligation to any interest other than
the publics right to know.
Journalists should:

'void conflicts of interest$ real or perceived.

"emain free of associations and activities that may compromise

integrity or damage credibility.

"efuse 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.


3ct Independentl

)isclose unavoidable conflicts.

Be vigilant and courageous about holding those with power

accountable.

)eny 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.

:e 3ccountable
Be 'ccountable
Journalists are accountable to their readers, listeners, viewers and
each other.
Journalists should:

*larify and explain news coverage and invite dialogue with the public
over journalistic conduct.

+ncourage the public to voice grievances against the news media.

'dmit mistaes and correct them promptly.

+xpose unethical practices of journalists and the news media.

'bide by the same high standards to which they hold others.