Ethics

Credibility Your readers and your sources have to find you credible. You can’t say one thing and then be out seen doing the opposite. If you make an appointment you, you need to keep it. Sincerity and reliability also fit into this category. If you make an

Truth You have to be honest with your readers and sources. A journalist should always, always be seeking the truth no matter how hurtful it may be. Never lie to anyone because you then lose your credibility.

Accuracy To be accurate means you have to be willing to check and double check everything. Being accurate may slow down the speed at which you want to work, but it’s one of the most important traits of a journalist. For example – ask someone to spell their name for you. Spell it back to them. Look it up in the phonebook to make sure. Always check ALL facts – even if you think you have it perfect check it.

Act Independently This means to act on your own. Do not accept favors or “freebies” for stories. You have to remain independent of the story and situation. If you accept ANYTHING in exchange for writing the story then you are no longer independent but owe someone something.

Objectivity You have to distance yourself from the story so you can write in a way that is nonbiased. It’s hard to leave your feelings at the door, but that is what this means. You are NOT ALLOWED to have an opinion as a journalist. If you know a person in the story or are related to a person – you have to give the story to someone else.

Good Taste Newspapers and online media sites can be seen by anyone. Good taste comes in when you leave out the nasty, gory pictures and details. Instead, have a link to the inappropriate pictures that let readers know just what to expect from the link. No one should ever see the front page of a paper or web site and feel embarrassed to read it or look at it.

Right of Reply You give the people in the story the right to respond to what has been written about them. What they say is then up to them. It’s usually a “no comment.” But it’s your job to offer them that opportunity to reply.

Fairness This applies mostly to political stories. Both sides have to have a chance to offer up their side. You just can’t write a lopsided story. You have to include ALL sides of an issue to be fair. This relates back to being credible – if you can’t show all opinions then you lose your credibility.

Plagiarism This is huge in journalism. This is the no-go zone. If you plagiarize then your career is basically over. Plagiarism is when you claim someone else’s hard work as your own – even if you did nothing. There is no “citing” in journalism. Do the work yourself.

Attribution Said Bob Jones. According to the website. Bob Jones replied. Bob Jones said. Temperatures will be in the 50’s today, according to the National Weather Service. You need to have some sort of attribution for everything you write. As a reporter you aren’t supposed to know anything. You present the facts, so therefore – where did those facts come from? Attribution is the act of saying where the facts came from. You need to use attribution for EVERYTHING.