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norms and ethics of reporting

The document outlines the professional norms and ethics of journalism, emphasizing the importance of truth, accuracy, transparency, integrity, independence, and fairness in reporting. Journalists are urged to verify facts, attribute sources, treat individuals with respect, avoid conflicts of interest, and provide balanced coverage, especially in political reporting. The overarching goal is to ensure ethical journalism that informs the public while holding those in power accountable.

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7 views3 pages

norms and ethics of reporting

The document outlines the professional norms and ethics of journalism, emphasizing the importance of truth, accuracy, transparency, integrity, independence, and fairness in reporting. Journalists are urged to verify facts, attribute sources, treat individuals with respect, avoid conflicts of interest, and provide balanced coverage, especially in political reporting. The overarching goal is to ensure ethical journalism that informs the public while holding those in power accountable.

Uploaded by

sandyanaik
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Professional norms and Ethics of Reporting

Truth and Accuracy


Journalists can influence public perception and therefore it’s imperative they
practice ethical journalism, by ensuring information is true and accurate, and the
coverage of a story is fair.
Research must be thorough, and facts verified before publication or broadcast.
Whenever possible, original sources (whether people or records) should be
used, as this adds credibility, strengthening whatever angle the journalist has
chosen to pursue. Journalists give voice to the voiceless and should hold those
in power accountable by asking the tough questions. Journalists, or the outlet
they represent, must take full responsibility for their work, and always
acknowledge any mistake in reporting and promptly correct it.
Transparency
When possible, sources should be identified, as this builds credibility and trust.
There’s nothing worse than reading an article which states, “a source close to
the politician claims…” or “according to officials…” We’ve been seeing more
and more of this practice in recent years, and readers will naturally question the
veracity of such claims, wondering about the actual identity of these mysterious
sources.
Attribution is important if you want people to take you seriously as a journalist
and media outlet. And speaking of sources, journalists should always use
reliable information and interviewees, especially if it involves a serious issue,
influential people, and/or a big story.
Integrity
A journalist’s conduct can make or break a story, affecting people’s lives, either
negatively or positively. And as emphasized in the Code of Ethics journalists
must be cognizant of how any reported piece will affect those involved, and
balance this with the need of the public to know.
Journalists should always treat sources with dignity and respect and never make
promises they cannot keep. Compassion, patience, and understanding are traits
all journalists must possess, especially when dealing with vulnerable
populations, juveniles, and victims of crime and abuse.
Of course, when covering crime and sensitive issues, some people involved
need to remain anonymous for their own protection, including minors and
victims of sexual assault.
Independence
Traditional media is facing a huge credibility crisis as we’ve mentioned, and
another contributing factor is lack of independence and diversity of ownership
—the major news networks are, after all, owned by just a few corporations. This
brings up legitimate concerns over conflict of interest.
Ethically, media outlets should avoid favoring advertisers or allowing them to
influence or dictate news coverage.
Individual journalists should avoid any conflict of interest, which includes
steering clear of involvement in political activities, and never accepting fees or
gifts. Publications and broadcasters must distinguish news from advertising by
clearly labeling any form of sponsored content.
Fairness and Balance
A reporter should always endeavor to cover both sides of a story. Often the
balance may not be equal due to the nature of the issue, but the “other side”
should at least be offered the opportunity to respond to any accusations or
criticism. If a person or organization refuses an interview, then this can be stated
in the article or segment.
And here we come to the elephant in the room—political coverage (pun
unintended!). Journalists are our “go-between”—there to ask questions on the
public’s behalf, to hold the powerful accountable, to challenge and scrutinize
public officials and politicians representing all political viewpoints. Without
balance and fairness in political reporting, media outlets are little more than
mouthpieces of government.
Selective coverage and favoring one political party over its rival go against
ethical journalism unless it’s clearly an opinion piece or the words of a political
commentator or pundit. General political news stories should remain objective
as much as possible and never skewed in favor of one party. Each candidate
should receive fair treatment and the press has a duty to pursue both positive
and negative stories regardless of how journalists feel about the individuals
involved.
All political candidates need to be thoroughly vetted, scrutinized, questioned,
and criticized, as well as applauded if that’s clearly earned.
The public has a right to be fully informed and have access to unbiased
reporting of the whole political spectrum.

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