Journalism with integrity Editorial ethics Image courtesy of 2002ttorry released under Creative Commons Journalism with integrity

1: Why I am doing this story? Purpose Don’t bang a drum What is my journalistic purpose? What is my personal motivation? How can I include others with different perspectives and diverse ideas? Who are the stakeholders and what are their motivations? Image courtesy of Rennett Stowe released under Creative Commons

1: Why I am doing this story? Purpose Do no harm What if the roles were reversed? How would I feel? What are the possible consequences of my actions? What are my alternatives to maximise my truth-telling responsibility and minimise harm? Can I justify my decisions? To my colleagues? To the stakeholders? To the public? Image courtesy of moleratsgotnofur released under Creative Commons

2: Personal conduct Motivation Eyes wide open Seek truth and report it as fully as possible – eyes wide open Act independently – owe nobody and don’t seek favours or favourites Minimise harm – had it not been for you, the world would never know Image courtesy of 2002ttorry released under Creative Commons

2: Personal conduct Motivation Don’t follow the flock Assess all facts – don’t ignore the uncomfortable, or that which goes against your script Independent sources – don’t follow the flock, find fresh voices and perspectives. Thoroughly check the validity of information – take nothing at face value. Image courtesy of Joost J. Bakker IJmuiden released under Creative Commons

3: Attitudes of mind Purpose Voice to the voiceless Be honest, fair, and courageous in gathering and reporting. Give voice to the voiceless and hold the powerful accountable. Guard vigorously the role a free press plays in an open society. Seek out and disseminate competing perspectives. Image courtesy of Sterneck released under Creative Commons

3: Attitudes of mind Purpose Free of any chains Remain free of associations and activities that may compromise. Be compassionate for those affected by your actions. Treat all with respect, not as means to your journalistic ends. Image courtesy of Max Klingensmith released under Creative Commons

4: Accuracy Sourced facts More important than speed Output must be well sourced, based on sound evidence, thoroughly tested and presented in clear, precise language We should be honest and open about what we don't know and avoid unfounded speculation Accuracy is more important than speed and it is often more than simply a question of getting the facts right. Image courtesy of Abhi Here released under Creative Commons

4: Accuracy Verified facts Weigh all facts All the relevant facts and information should be weighed to get at the truth If an issue is controversial, relevant opinions as well as facts may need to be considered Image courtesy of Robert Nilsson released under Creative Commons

4: Accuracy We achieve accuracy by: Fact checking is essential The accurate gathering of material using first-hand sources wherever possible Checking and cross-checking the facts Validating the authenticity of documentary evidence and digital material Corroborating claims and allegations made by contributors wherever possible. Image courtesy of SLU Madrid Campus released under Creative Commons

5: Impartiality and diversity Wide range of opinions Multiple strands of thought We must reflect a wide range of opinion and should explore conflicting views No strand of thought should be knowingly un-reflected or under-represented in our output We should produce content about any subject as long as there are good editorial reasons for doing so Image courtesy of iwishmynamewasmarsha released under Creative Commons

5: Impartiality and diversity Explore both sides Never offer a distorted view We can explore or report on a specific aspect of an issue or provide an opportunity for a single view to be expressed But we should not misrepresent opposing views and must offer a right of reply We must ensure we avoid bias on controversial subjects Image courtesy of rycat released under Creative Commons

5: Impartiality and diversity Causing offence Public interest test We will sometimes need to report on issues or interview people whose views may cause serious offence to many in our audiences We must be convinced – after checking with our editor - that a clear public interest outweighs the possible offence Image courtesy of sochacki.info released under Creative Commons

6: Fairness & consent Public interest test Obtaining consent We will be open, honest and straightforward in our dealings with the public unless there is a clear public interest in doing otherwise People will normally have consented to contribute to our output Where allegations are being made, the individuals or organisations concerned should normally have the right of reply Image courtesy of purpleslog released under Creative Commons

7: Privacy Respect privacy Challenge in the public interest We must not infringe privacy without good reason wherever in the world it is operating It is essential in order to exercise our rights of freedom of expression and information that we work within a framework which respects an individual's privacy and treats them fairly Image courtesy of anemone projectors released under Creative Commons

8: Religion Respect individual freedoms Protect the vulnerable We respect the fundamental human right to exercise freedom of thought, conscience and religion, this includes an individual's freedom to worship, teach, practise and observe At the same time, we recognise our duty to protect the vulnerable and avoid unjustified offence or likely harm We aim to achieve this by ensuring our output is not used to denigrate the beliefs or otherwise of others Image courtesy of C Jill Reed released under Creative Commons

9: Independence & integrity Stay free of partisan interests Never endorse products We must be independent of partisan interests We must not endorse or appear to endorse any other organisation, its products, activities or services We should not give undue prominence to commercial products or services Image courtesy of zen released under Creative Commons

Media Helping Media The source of the following material in this module along with reference to the BBC’s editorial guidelines.