Journalism and Ethics
Journalism ethics and standards comprise principles of ethics and of good practice as applicable to the specific challenges faced by professional journalists. Historically and currently, this subset of media ethics is widely known to journalists as their professional "code of ethics" or the "canons of journalism".[1] The basic codes and canons commonly appear in statements drafted by both professional journalism associations and individual print, broadcast, and online news organizations.
“ Every news organization has only its credibility and reputation to rely on. ”
-Tony Burman, ex-editor-in-chief of CBC News[2]
While various existing codes have some differences, most share common elements including the principles of — truthfulness, accuracy, objectivity, impartiality, fairness and public accountability — as these apply to the acquisition of newsworthy information and its subsequent dissemination to the public.[3][4][5][6]
Like many broader ethical systems, journalism ethics include the principle of "limitation of harm." This often involves the withholding of certain details from reports such as the names of minor children, crime victims ' names or information not materially related to particular news reports release of which might, for example, harm someone 's reputation.[7][8]
Some journalistic Codes of Ethics, notably the European ones,[9] also include a concern with discriminatory references in news based on race, religion, sexual orientation, and physical or mental disabilities.[10][11][12][13] The European Council approved in 1993 Resolution 1003 on the Ethics of Journalism which recommends journalists to respect yet the presumption of innocence, in particular in cases that are still sub judice[14].
Contents
[hide]
• 1 Evolution and purpose of codes of journalism
• 2 Codes of practice
• 3 Common elements o 3.1 Accuracy and standards for factual reporting o 3.2 Slander and libel considerations o 3.3 Harm limitation principle o 3.4 Presentation
“ Every news organization has only its credibility and reputation to rely on. ”
-Tony Burman, ex-editor-in-chief of CBC News[2]
While various existing codes have some differences, most share common elements including the principles of — truthfulness, accuracy, objectivity, impartiality, fairness and public accountability — as these apply to the acquisition of newsworthy information and its subsequent dissemination to the public.[3][4][5][6]
Like many broader ethical systems, journalism ethics include the principle of "limitation of harm." This often involves the withholding of certain details from reports such as the names of minor children, crime victims ' names or information not materially related to particular news reports release of which might, for example, harm someone 's reputation.[7][8]
Some journalistic Codes of Ethics, notably the European ones,[9] also include a concern with discriminatory references in news based on race, religion, sexual orientation, and physical or mental disabilities.[10][11][12][13] The European Council approved in 1993 Resolution 1003 on the Ethics of Journalism which recommends journalists to respect yet the presumption of innocence, in particular in cases that are still sub judice[14].
Contents
[hide]
• 1 Evolution and purpose of codes of journalism
• 2 Codes of practice
• 3 Common elements o 3.1 Accuracy and standards for factual reporting o 3.2 Slander and libel considerations o 3.3 Harm limitation principle o 3.4 Presentation
References: Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (June 2009) The primary themes common to most codes of journalistic standards and ethics are the following.