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 staffs 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.

Act independently.
Minimize harm.

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

Journalists should be honest, fair

and courageous in gathering,
reporting and interpreting
information.
Your staffs 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 publics
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

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.
Dont 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.