THE FIVE PRINCIPLES OF ETHICAL JOURNALISMBen Schwartz, Glenview

Introduction A former radio DJ and on-air personality for Glenview's WGBK-FM, Ben L.

Schwartz now attends Ohio University's E.W. Scripps School of Journalism and Mass Communications. Expected to earn his journalism degree in the spring of 2019, Ben L. Schwartz is currently seeking summer internship opportunities in the Chicago metropolitan area.

Though most reputable journalism outlets will have some form of code of conduct or statement of ethics, the majority of these share common themes. According to the Ethical Journalism Network, a collaboration of media groups committed to ethics in journalism, journalists should keep five core principles in mind when writing stories and presenting facts.

1. Truth and accuracy: The most important rule of journalism, naturally, is to ensure truth and accuracy of presented information. In doing so, reporters should strive to present all relevant facts and it should be made clear in the story if any information has not been corroborated.

Ethical Journalism 2. Fairness and impartiality: Whenever possible, stories should

be objective in nature and balanced by opposing views or opinions. 

3. Independence: Journalists should not act on behalf of political, cultural, or corporate special interests. Any personal allegiances should be made clear to an editor and to the public.

4. Accountability: Any errors committed must be corrected with sincere regret. It is difficult to hold public figures accountable if journalists are not accountable to themselves, their editors, and the public.

5. Humanity: Journalists should always be aware that images or stories might be hurtful to some people. Responsible journalists should consider the impact of their words on the lives of others.