{"id":240,"date":"2014-09-28T03:03:55","date_gmt":"2014-09-28T03:03:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.candelalearning.com\/gobehindthenews\/?post_type=chapter&p=240"},"modified":"2014-10-03T10:39:14","modified_gmt":"2014-10-03T10:39:14","slug":"240","status":"web-only","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/snhu-gobehindthenews\/chapter\/240\/","title":{"raw":"Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics","rendered":"Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics"},"content":{"raw":"<\/strong>\r\nRevised September 6, 2014 at 4:49 p.m. CT at SPJ\u2019s National Convention in Nashville, Tenn.\r\n\r\n
\r\n\r\nPreamble<\/span><\/strong>\r\n\r\nMembers 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.\r\n\r\nThe Society declares these four principles as the foundation of ethical journalism and encourages their use in its practice by all people in all media.\r\n\r\n
\r\n\r\n
Seek Truth and<\/strong>\r\nReport It<\/strong><\/div>\r\nEthical journalism should be accurate and fair. Journalists should be honest and courageous in gathering, reporting and interpreting information.\r\n\r\nJournalists should:\r\n
\u2013 Take responsibility for the accuracy of their work. Verify information before releasing it. Use original sources whenever possible.\r\n\r\n\u2013 Remember that neither speed nor format excuses inaccuracy.\r\n\r\n\u2013 Provide context. Take special care not to misrepresent or oversimplify in promoting, previewing or summarizing a story.\r\n\r\n\u2013 Gather, update and correct information throughout the life of a news story.\r\n\r\n\u2013 Be cautious when making promises, but keep the promises they make.\r\n\r\n\u2013 Identify sources clearly. The public is entitled to as much information as possible to judge the reliability and motivations of sources.\r\n\r\n\u2013 Consider sources\u0092 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.\r\n\r\n\u2013 Diligently seek subjects of news coverage to allow them to respond to criticism or allegations of wrongdoing.\r\n\r\n\u2013 Avoid undercover or other surreptitious methods of gathering information unless traditional, open methods will not yield information vital to the public.\r\n\r\n\u2013 Be vigilant and courageous about holding those with power accountable. Give voice to the voiceless.\r\n\r\n\u2013 Support the open and civil exchange of views, even views they find repugnant.\r\n\r\n\u2013 Recognize a special obligation to serve as watchdogs over public affairs and government. Seek to ensure that the public\u0092s business is conducted in the open, and that public records are open to all.\r\n\r\n\u2013 Provide access to source material when it is relevant and appropriate.\r\n\r\n\u2013 Boldly tell the story of the diversity and magnitude of the human experience. Seek sources whose voices we seldom hear.\r\n\r\n\u2013 Avoid stereotyping. Journalists should examine the ways their values and experiences may shape their reporting.\r\n\r\n\u2013 Label advocacy and commentary.\r\n\r\n\u2013 Never deliberately distort facts or context, including visual information. Clearly label illustrations and re-enactments.\r\n\r\n\u2013 Never plagiarize. Always attribute.<\/blockquote>\r\n\r\n
\r\n\r\nMinimize Harm<\/strong>\r\n\r\nEthical journalism treats sources, subjects, colleagues and members of the public as human beings deserving of respect.\r\n\r\nJournalists should:\r\n
\u2013 Balance the public\u0092s need for information against potential harm or discomfort. Pursuit of the news is not a license for arrogance or undue intrusiveness.\r\n\r\n\u2013 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.\r\n\r\n\u2013 Recognize that legal access to information differs from an ethical justification to publish or broadcast.\r\n\r\n\u2013 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.\r\n\r\n\u2013 Avoid pandering to lurid curiosity, even if others do.\r\n\r\n\u2013 Balance a suspect\u0092s right to a fair trial with the public\u0092s right to know. Consider the implications of identifying criminal suspects before they face legal charges.\r\n\r\n\u2013 Consider the long-term implications of the extended reach and permanence of publication. Provide updated and more complete information as appropriate.<\/blockquote>\r\n\r\n
\r\n\r\nAct Independently<\/strong>\r\n\r\nThe highest and primary obligation of ethical journalism is to serve the public.\r\n\r\nJournalists should:\r\n
\u2013 Avoid conflicts of interest, real or perceived. Disclose unavoidable conflicts.\r\n\r\n\u2013 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.\r\n\r\n\u2013 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.\r\n\r\n\u2013 Deny favored treatment to advertisers, donors or any other special interests, and resist internal and external pressure to influence coverage.\r\n\r\n\u2013 Distinguish news from advertising and shun hybrids that blur the lines between the two. Prominently label sponsored content.<\/blockquote>\r\n\r\n
\r\n\r\nBe Accountable and Transparent<\/strong>\r\n\r\nEthical journalism means taking responsibility for one\u0092s work and explaining one\u0092s decisions to the public.\r\n\r\nJournalists should:\r\n
\u2013 Explain ethical choices and processes to audiences. Encourage a civil dialogue with the public about journalistic practices, coverage and news content.\r\n\r\n\u2013 Respond quickly to questions about accuracy, clarity and fairness.\r\n\r\n\u2013 Acknowledge mistakes and correct them promptly and prominently. Explain corrections and clarifications carefully and clearly.\r\n\r\n\u2013 Expose unethical conduct in journalism, including within their organizations.\r\n\r\n\u2013 Abide by the same high standards they expect of others.<\/blockquote>\r\n\r\n
\r\n\r\nThe SPJ Code of Ethics is a statement of abiding principles supported by additional explanations and position papers (at spj.org<\/a>) 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.<\/i>\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nSigma Delta Chi's first Code of Ethics was borrowed from the American Society of Newspaper Editors in 1926. In 1973, Sigma Delta Chi wrote its own code, which was revised in 1984, 1987, 1996 and 2014.","rendered":"

<\/strong>
\nRevised September 6, 2014 at 4:49 p.m. CT at SPJ\u2019s National Convention in Nashville, Tenn.<\/p>\n

\n

Preamble<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\n
Seek Truth and<\/strong>
\nReport It<\/strong><\/div>\n

Ethical journalism should be accurate and fair. Journalists should be honest and courageous in gathering, reporting and interpreting information.<\/p>\n

Journalists should:<\/p>\n

\u2013 Take responsibility for the accuracy of their work. Verify information before releasing it. Use original sources whenever possible.<\/p>\n

\u2013 Remember that neither speed nor format excuses inaccuracy.<\/p>\n

\u2013 Provide context. Take special care not to misrepresent or oversimplify in promoting, previewing or summarizing a story.<\/p>\n

\u2013 Gather, update and correct information throughout the life of a news story.<\/p>\n

\u2013 Be cautious when making promises, but keep the promises they make.<\/p>\n

\u2013 Identify sources clearly. The public is entitled to as much information as possible to judge the reliability and motivations of sources.<\/p>\n

\u2013 Consider sources\u0092 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.<\/p>\n

\u2013 Diligently seek subjects of news coverage to allow them to respond to criticism or allegations of wrongdoing.<\/p>\n

\u2013 Avoid undercover or other surreptitious methods of gathering information unless traditional, open methods will not yield information vital to the public.<\/p>\n

\u2013 Be vigilant and courageous about holding those with power accountable. Give voice to the voiceless.<\/p>\n

\u2013 Support the open and civil exchange of views, even views they find repugnant.<\/p>\n

\u2013 Recognize a special obligation to serve as watchdogs over public affairs and government. Seek to ensure that the public\u0092s business is conducted in the open, and that public records are open to all.<\/p>\n

\u2013 Provide access to source material when it is relevant and appropriate.<\/p>\n

\u2013 Boldly tell the story of the diversity and magnitude of the human experience. Seek sources whose voices we seldom hear.<\/p>\n

\u2013 Avoid stereotyping. Journalists should examine the ways their values and experiences may shape their reporting.<\/p>\n

\u2013 Label advocacy and commentary.<\/p>\n

\u2013 Never deliberately distort facts or context, including visual information. Clearly label illustrations and re-enactments.<\/p>\n

\u2013 Never plagiarize. Always attribute.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\n

Minimize Harm<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ethical journalism treats sources, subjects, colleagues and members of the public as human beings deserving of respect.<\/p>\n

Journalists should:<\/p>\n

\u2013 Balance the public\u0092s need for information against potential harm or discomfort. Pursuit of the news is not a license for arrogance or undue intrusiveness.<\/p>\n

\u2013 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.<\/p>\n

\u2013 Recognize that legal access to information differs from an ethical justification to publish or broadcast.<\/p>\n

\u2013 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.<\/p>\n

\u2013 Avoid pandering to lurid curiosity, even if others do.<\/p>\n

\u2013 Balance a suspect\u0092s right to a fair trial with the public\u0092s right to know. Consider the implications of identifying criminal suspects before they face legal charges.<\/p>\n

\u2013 Consider the long-term implications of the extended reach and permanence of publication. Provide updated and more complete information as appropriate.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\n

Act Independently<\/strong><\/p>\n

The highest and primary obligation of ethical journalism is to serve the public.<\/p>\n

Journalists should:<\/p>\n

\u2013 Avoid conflicts of interest, real or perceived. Disclose unavoidable conflicts.<\/p>\n

\u2013 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.<\/p>\n

\u2013 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.<\/p>\n

\u2013 Deny favored treatment to advertisers, donors or any other special interests, and resist internal and external pressure to influence coverage.<\/p>\n

\u2013 Distinguish news from advertising and shun hybrids that blur the lines between the two. Prominently label sponsored content.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\n

Be Accountable and Transparent<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ethical journalism means taking responsibility for one\u0092s work and explaining one\u0092s decisions to the public.<\/p>\n

Journalists should:<\/p>\n

\u2013 Explain ethical choices and processes to audiences. Encourage a civil dialogue with the public about journalistic practices, coverage and news content.<\/p>\n

\u2013 Respond quickly to questions about accuracy, clarity and fairness.<\/p>\n

\u2013 Acknowledge mistakes and correct them promptly and prominently. Explain corrections and clarifications carefully and clearly.<\/p>\n

\u2013 Expose unethical conduct in journalism, including within their organizations.<\/p>\n

\u2013 Abide by the same high standards they expect of others.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\n

The SPJ Code of Ethics is a statement of abiding principles supported by additional explanations and position papers (at spj.org<\/a>) 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.<\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Sigma Delta Chi’s first Code of Ethics was borrowed from the American Society of Newspaper Editors in 1926. In 1973, Sigma Delta Chi wrote its own code, which was revised in 1984, 1987, 1996 and 2014.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t

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Candela Citations<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t
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Public domain content<\/div>