journalistic codes of ethics

Codes of ethics

Defining and describingstandards and best practices

Professions with ethical codes

Professions with ethical codes

• Doctors

Professions with ethical codes

• Doctors• Lawyers

Professions with ethical codes

• Doctors• Lawyers• Engineers, etc.

Sanctions for violations

• Loss of license

Sanctions for violations

• Loss of license• What is to stop someone from setting up practice

without a license?

Sanctions for violations

• Loss of license• What is to stop someone from setting up practice

without a license?• Government enforcement

The great debate

• Is journalism a profession?

The great debate

• Is journalism a profession?

• Can it be a profession without violating the First Amendment?

The great debate

• Is journalism a profession?

• Can it be a profession without violating the First Amendment?

• Can we have a binding code of ethics?

The rise of professionalism

• Adolph Ochs andThe New York Times

The rise of professionalism

• Adolph Ochs andThe New York Times

• Yellow journalist Joseph Pulitzer seeks a legacy

The rise of professionalism

• Adolph Ochs andThe New York Times

• Yellow journalist Joseph Pulitzer seeks a legacy

• Sigma Delta Chi (now SPJ) founded in 1909

“Canons of Journalism” (1922)

• Developed by the American Society of Newspaper Editors

• Revised in 1975, now called the “Statement of Principles”

“Canons of Journalism” (1922)

• Article 1: Responsibility

“Canons of Journalism” (1922)

• Article 1: Responsibility• Article 2: Freedom of the press

“Canons of Journalism” (1922)

• Article 1: Responsibility• Article 2: Freedom of the press• Article 3: Independence

“Canons of Journalism” (1922)

• Article 1: Responsibility• Article 2: Freedom of the press• Article 3: Independence• Article 4: Truth and accuracy

“Canons of Journalism” (1922)

• Article 1: Responsibility• Article 2: Freedom of the press• Article 3: Independence• Article 4: Truth and accuracy• Article 5: Impartiality

“Canons of Journalism” (1922)

• Article 1: Responsibility• Article 2: Freedom of the press• Article 3: Independence• Article 4: Truth and accuracy• Article 5: Impartiality• Article 6: Fair play

Discussion

• Where is objectivity?

Discussion

• Where is objectivity?• If the code isn’t

binding, what good is it?

Discussion

• Where is objectivity?• If the code isn’t

binding, what good is it?

• If the code is common sense, why have there been so many scandals?

SPJ Code of Ethics

• Borrowed from ASNE in 1926• Current code adopted in 1996• Four broad areas

SPJ Code of Ethics

• Borrowed from ASNE in 1926• Current code adopted in 1996• Four broad areas– Seek Truth and Report It

SPJ Code of Ethics

• Borrowed from ASNE in 1926• Current code adopted in 1996• Four broad areas– Seek Truth and Report It– Minimize Harm

SPJ Code of Ethics

• Borrowed from ASNE in 1926• Current code adopted in 1996• Four broad areas– Seek Truth and Report It– Minimize Harm– Act Independently

SPJ Code of Ethics

• Borrowed from ASNE in 1926• Current code adopted in 1996• Four broad areas– Seek Truth and Report It– Minimize Harm– Act Independently– Be Accountable