2. Every staff should have a code of
ethics to follow so that all
members will understand what it
means to be a responsible
journalist. This can be a part of
your policy manual.
The code of ethics of the Society of
Professional Journalists is a good model to
follow.

3. The staff’s code of ethics should
address some of the “danger
zones” that journalists much watch
out for: unsubstantial or fluffy writing,
sensationalism, off-the-record
information, investigative reporting,
photomanipulation,
personal ads, etc.

4. The SPJ Code of Ethics is
organized around four main
principles:
•Seek truth and report it.
•Minimize harm.
•Act independently.
•Be accountable.

6. I shall scrupulously report and
interpret the news, taking care not to
suppress essential facts nor to distort
the truth by omission or improper
emphasis. I recognize the duty to air
the other side and the duty to correct
substantive errors promptly.
I shall not violate confidential
information on material given me in the
exercise of my calling.

7. I shall resort only to fair and honest
methods in my effort to obtain news,
photographs and/or documents and shall
properly identify myself as a representative
of the press when obtaining any personal
interview intended for publication.
I shall refrain from writing reports
which will adversely affect a private
reputation unless the public interest
justifies it. At the same time, I shall fight
vigorously for public access to information,
as provided in the Constitution.

8. Journalists should be honest, fair and
courageous in gathering, reporting and
interpreting information.
Your staff’s code of ethics should
specify guidelines for ensuring
accuracy, objectivity, balance and
fairness.

9. I shall not let personal motive
or interests influence me in
the performance of my
duties, nor shall I accept or
offer any present, gift or
other consideration of a
nature which may cast doubt
on my professional integrity.

10. Journalists should be free of obligation to
any interest other than the public’s right to
know.
The code should state that journalists will
not receive favors or gifts from anyone
associated with newspaper business. The
public may perceive this as a way these
businesses are influencing the newspaper.

11. I shall not commit any act of plagiarism.
I shall not in any manner ridicule, cast
aspersion on, or degrade any person by reason
of sex, creed, religious belief, political
conviction, cultural and ethnic origin.
I shall presume persons accused of crime of
being innocent until proven otherwise. I shall
exercise caution in publishing names of minors
and women involved in criminal cases so that
they may not unjustly lose their standing in
society.

12. Ethical journalists treat sources, subjects and
colleagues as human beings deserving of respect.
Encourage sensitivity, especially when covering
controversial or emotional topics.
Your code of ethics should include warnings against
obscenity, invasion of privacy, libel, disruption,
copyright violation, hate speech, false advertising,
“fighting words”, and other forms of expression not
protected by the First Amendment.

13. I shall not take advantage of a fellow
journalist
I shall accept only such tasks as are
compatible with the integrity and dignity of
my profession, invoking the “conscience
clause” when duties imposed on me conflict
with the voice of my conscience.
I shall not comfort myself in public or while
performing any duties as journalist in such
manner as to maintain the dignity of my
profession. When in doubt, decency should
be my watchword

14. Journalists are accountable to their readers,
listeners, viewers and each other.
The code of ethics should stress the
importance of serving your readers. It should
include a commitment to correct mistakes
promptly and to expose unethical practices by
other journalists.

15. •Make sure the sources of your information are reliable
and trustworthy. Avoid using anonymous sources.
•Don’t ever make up anything or fake anything, even if it
seems like a tiny, unimportant detail. Fabrication of
anything is unethical.
•Be sensitive to politically correct language. Follow
current nonoffensive usage in reference to race, religion,
age, sex, nationality and physical or mental disability.
Include a list of PC terms in your stylebook or policy
manual.

16. •Avoid asking personal questions of your sources. Do
not cross the line into invasion of privacy.
•Make sure quotes are not taken out of context. Include
enough of the entire quote to represent fairly what was
actually said.
•If you criticize someone, give him/her a chance to
respond in the same story.
•Always consider community standards about obscenity.

17. •When you review a performance ,
remember the fair comment rule. This is the
rule that gives you freedom to express
unfavorable opinion about matters of public
opinion. These comments must be clearly
opinions and must be based on stated facts.
This rule protects reviews from libel.