Obama: 'I Don't Think Ethics' Was My Favorite Subject
Obama told an audience of high school students in Washington, D.C. that he was "not always the very best student" and that ethics
"would not have made it on the list" of his favorite subjects.
Relationship with freedom of the press
In countries without freedom of the press,
the majority of people who report the news may not follow the standards of journalism. Non-free media are often
prohibited from criticizing the national government, and in many cases
are required to distribute propaganda as if it were news. Various other forms of censorship may restrict reporting on issues the government deems sensitive.
That sure sounds like the majority of the media in the United States of America, doesn't it?
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These guidelines inspired
Society of Professional Journalists which is the current version of media ethics
that were adopted in 1996.
Society of Professional Journalists: Code of Ethics
The Society of Professional Journalists created a code of ethics that
are in effect today. The main mantra of the code is "Seek truth and
Report it!"(Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478) The code also
states that: "Journalists should be honest, fair, and courageous in
gathering, reporting, and interpreting information. Journalists should:"
- "Test the accuracy of information from all sources and exercise care
to avoid inadvertent error. Deliberate distortion is never
permissible."(Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)
- "Diligently seek out subjects of news stories to give them the
opportunity to respond to allegations of wrongdoing."(Straubhaar, LaRose
& Davenport, Pg 478)
- "Identify sources whenever feasible. The public is entitled to as
much information as possible on sources' reliability." (Straubhaar,
LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)
- "Always question sources' motives before promising anonymity.
Clarify conditions attached to any promise made in exchange for
information. Keep promises." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg
478)
- "Make certain that headlines, news teases, and promotional material,
photos, video, audio, graphics, sound bites, and quotations do not
misrepresent. They should not oversimplify or highlight incidents out of
context." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)
- "Never distort the content of news photos or video. Image
enhancement for technical clarity is always permissible. Label montages
and photo illustrations." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)
- "Avoid misleading reenactments or staged news events. If reenactment
is necessary to tell a story, label it." (Straubhaar, LaRose &
Davenport, Pg 478)
- "Avoid undercover or other surreptitious methods of gathering
information except when traditional open methods will not yield
information vital to the public. Use of such methods should be explained
as part of the story." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)
- "Never plagiarize." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)
- "Tell the story of the diversity and magnitude of the human
experience boldly, even, when it is unpopular to do so." (Straubhaar,
LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)
- "Examine their own cultural values and avoid imposing those values on others." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)
- "Avoid stereotyping by race, gender, age, religion, ethnicity,
geography, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, or
social status." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)
- "Support the open exchange of views, even views they find repugnant." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)
- "Give voice to the voiceless; official and unofficial sources of
information can be equally valid." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport,
Pg 478)
- "Distinguish between advocacy and news reporting. Analysis and
commentary should be labeled and not misrepresent fact or content."
(Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)
- "Distinguish news from advertising, and shun hybrids that blur the
lines between the two." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)
- "Recognize a special obligation to ensure that the public's
business is conducted in the open and that government records are open
to inspection." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)
Minimize Harm "Ethical journalists treat sources, subjects,
and colleagues as human beings deserving of respect. Journalists should"
(Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)
- "Show compassion for those who may be affected adversely by news
coverage. Use special sensitivity when dealing with children and
inexperienced sources or subjects." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport,
Pg 478)
- "Be sensitive when seeking or using interviews or photographs of
those affected by tragedy or guilt." (Straubhaar, LaRose &
Davenport, Pg 478)
- "Recognize that gathering and reporting information may cause harm
or discomfort. Pursuit of the news is not a license for arrogance."
(Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)
- "Recognize that private people have a greater right to control
information about themselves that do public officials and others who
seek power, influence, or attention. Only an overriding public need can
justify intrusion into anyone's privacy." (Straubhaar, LaRose &
Davenport, Pg 478)
- "Show good taste. Avoid pandering to lurid curiosity." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)
- "Be cautions of identifying juvenile suspects or victims of sex crimes." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)
- "Be judicious about naming criminal suspects before the formal filing of charges." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)
- "Balance a criminal suspect's fair trial rights with the public's
right to be informed." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)
Act Independently "Journalists should be free of obligation to
any interest other than the public's right to know. Journalists should"
." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)
- "Avoid conflict of interest, real or perceived." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)
- "Remain free of associations and activities that may compromise
integrity or damage credibility." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport,
Pg 478)
- "Refuse gifts, favors, fees, free travel, and special treatment, and
shun secondary employment, political involvement, public office, and
service in community organizations if they compromise journalistic
integrity." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)
- "Disclose unavoidable conflicts." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 479)
- "Be vigilant and courageous about holding those with power accountable." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 479)
- "Deny favored treatment to advertisers and special interests and
resist their pressure to influence news coverage." (Straubhaar, LaRose
& Davenport, Pg 479)
- "Be wary of sources offering information for favors or money; avoid
bidding for news." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 479)
Be Accountable "Journalists are accountable to their readers,
listeners, viewers, and each other. Journalists should:" (Straubhaar,
LaRose & Davenport, Pg 479)
- "Clarify and explain news coverage and invite dialogue with the
public over journalistic conduct." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport,
Pg 479)
- "Encourage the public to voice grievances against the news media." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 479)
- "Admit mistakes and correct them promptly." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 479)
- "Expose unethical practices of journalists and the news media." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 479)
- "Abide by the same high standards to which they hold others." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 479)
All of these guidelines are for the betterment of society and regulation of media.
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REVISED 2014 VERSION:
Ethics Code Revision: Final Draft as approved by the SPJ Ethics Committee Updated 1:30 p.m.Saturday, Sept. 6, 2014
Preamble
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.
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.
Seek Truth and Report It
Ethical journalism should be accurate and fair. Journalists should be
honest and courageous in gathering, reporting and interpreting
information.
Journalists should:
– Take responsibility for the accuracy of their work. Verify information
before releasing it. Use original sources whenever possible.
– Remember that neither speed nor format excuses inaccuracy.
– Provide context. Take special care not to misrepresent or oversimplify in promoting, previewing or summarizing a story. 
– Gather, update and correct information throughout the life of a news story.
– Be cautious when making promises, but keep the promises they make.
– Identify
sources clearly. The public is entitled to as much information as
possible to judge the reliability and motivations of sources.
– Consider sources’ 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.
– Diligently seek subjects of news coverage to allow them to respond to criticism or allegations of wrongdoing.
– Avoid undercover or other surreptitious methods of gathering
information unless traditional, open methods will not yield information
vital to the public.
– Be vigilant and courageous about holding those with power accountable. Give voice to the voiceless.
– Support the open and civil exchange of views, even views they find repugnant.
– Recognize a special obligation to serve as watchdogs over public
affairs and government. Seek to ensure that the public’s business is
conducted in the open, and that public records are open to all.
– Provide access to source material when it is relevant and appropriate.
– Boldly tell the story of the diversity and magnitude of the human experience. Seek sources whose voices we seldom hear.
– Avoid stereotyping. Journalists should examine the ways their values and experiences may shape their reporting.
– Label advocacy and commentary.
– Never deliberately distort facts or context, including visual information. Clearly label illustrations and re-enactments.
– Never plagiarize. Always attribute.
Minimize Harm
Ethical journalism treats sources, subjects, colleagues and members of the public as human beings deserving of respect.
Journalists should:
– Balance the public’s need for information against potential harm or
discomfort. Pursuit of the news is not a license for arrogance or undue
intrusiveness.
– 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.
– Recognize that legal access to information differs from an ethical justification to publish or broadcast.
– 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.
– Avoid pandering to lurid curiosity, even if others do.
– Balance
a suspect’s right to a fair trial with the public’s right to know.
Consider the implications of identifying criminal suspects before they
face legal charges.
– Consider
the long-term implications of the extended reach and permanence of
publication. Provide updated and more complete information as
appropriate.
Act Independently
The highest and primary obligation of ethical journalism is to serve the public.
Journalists should:
– Avoid conflicts of interest, real or perceived. Disclose unavoidable conflicts.
– 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.
– 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.
– Deny favored treatment to advertisers, donors or any other special
interests, and resist internal and external pressure to influence
coverage.
– Distinguish news from advertising and shun hybrids that blur the lines between the two. Prominently label sponsored content.
Be Accountable and Transparent
Ethical journalism means taking responsibility for one’s work and explaining one’s decisions to the public.
Journalists should:
– Explain
ethical choices and processes to audiences. Encourage a civil dialogue
with the public about journalistic practices, coverage and news content.
– Respond quickly to questions about accuracy, clarity and fairness.
– Acknowledge mistakes and correct them promptly and prominently. Explain corrections and clarifications carefully and clearly.
– Expose unethical conduct in journalism, including within their organizations.
– Abide by the same high standards they expect of others.
The SPJ Code of Ethics is a statement of abiding principles supported by additional explanations and position papers
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.
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.
Other Sources of Ethics In Journalism:
Reuters Handbook Of Journalism
