eTHiCs!!

Even after taking a whole semester of Ethical Issues in Mass Communications, ethical dilemmas in journalism are NOT any easier to solve. Journalists are faced with ethical decisions everyday.. and since there’s no set of “rules” people will respond to the dilemmas in very different ways.

Whenever I am faced with an ethical decision in journalism I always turn to the Society of Professional Journalists ‘Code of Ethics.’ Journalists should:

1. Seek Truth and Report It: Journalists should be honest, fair and courageous in gathering, reporting and interpreting information.
2. Minimize Harm: Ethical journalists treat sources, subjects and colleagues as human beings deserving of respect.
3. Act Independently: Journalists should be free of obligation to any interest other than the public's right to know.
4. Be Accountable: Journalists are accountable to their readers, listeners, viewers and each other.

A journalists duty is to seek truth and provide a fair and comprehensive account of events and issues. Although no one “hopes” to be faced with an ethical decisions.. it is inevitable.. as long as you (the journalist) stay true to your own morals and use the Potter Box to identify the Facts, Values, Principles, and Loyalties… hopefully you come out with making the right decision.