Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics

[Mme. Defarge]

https://www.spj.org/ethicscode.asp

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.

Highlights:

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.

Ethical journalism means taking responsibility for one’s work and explaining one’s decisions to the public.

Expose unethical conduct in journalism, including within their organizations.

Abide by the same high standards they expect of others.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

1. This sounds nice, but when breaking a contract can bring personal ruin, ...

... these ethical niceties take second place.

I can explain reading a fake script easier than I can explain no food on the table.