Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics 

                                                            Photo courtesy of SPJ.com

    First and foremost, I just want to take a minute to recognize that this Sunday, April 17th is the official 113th Birthday of the Society of Professional Journalists!

    Journalism is more than the art of writing a story. It has everything to do with the administration of information to the public in a democratic society. Anyone engaging in journalism must hold a foundation of conduct. Since the press is essentially an apparatus for freedom of speech through publication, it requires devotion to inalienable human rights as well as attention to self-conduct and credibility. 

    The SPJ Code of Ethics highlights 4 key areas in which journalists should address ethical conduct. 

    * Seek the Truth and Report it

    Accuracy and fairness are pillars of ethical conduct as a journalist. There is a high level of responsibility and integrity that comes with the trade. They uphold the critical value of the freedom of the press and freedom of speech not only by providing information to the public but in doing so with utmost attention to detail and accountability. When seeking information or investigating a story, journalists must verify that their sources are accurate and original. It is also vital that their work is verified once more as accurate before release. Otherwise, they run the risk of being unreliable and misleading. From an ethical standpoint, the very nature of journalism is to provide the public with the truth. This entails giving those without a voice the opportunity to have one and holding those in positions of power to a degree of accountability. In order to report the truth, a journalist must first seek it out and take responsibility for presenting it to the people. Transparency is paramount to good, credible journalism. It's the foundation of democracy. 

    * Minimize Harm 

    The very basis of avoiding harm involves respectful treatment of all individuals that a journalist may come into contact with. Procuring and providing news does not give journalists the right to be overly intrusive, pessimistic, or arrogant. Above all else, there should always be a balance between the public's need for information and the potential it may have to harm. To me, this is a very crucial part of being a credible journalist. Trauma impacts people in a multitude of ways. Being able to approach others with compassion and respect is paramount. Minimizing harm also involves understanding what can be legally published, and what requires ethical grounds. Journalists must have a high level of emotional intelligence, in my opinion. They deal with people on a regular basis and as the foundation for their stories to unfold. They have a duty to uphold integrity for their sources, themselves, and their audience.  

    * Act Independently

        In a sense, journalists are leaders. They have obligations to others by the very nature of their work. Obtaining stories and dispensing them requires attention to that duty. To best serve the public, journalists and reporters must identify sources in congruence with their motives. If sources are seeking compensation for information or are using any sort of bribery to provide information, a journalist has a moral obligation to determine that the source is a good one. Journalists, like other leaders, must avoid accepting gifts, favors, and special treatment. Similarly, they must avoid participation in such a way that it would compromise their informative obligation to the public. Journalists cannot be part of political or outside activities that might damage their ability to remain impartial and honest. They cannot act on unethical self-interest, in other words. Beyond this scope, acting independently also entails producing news that does not advertise in any way, shape, or form. Any sponsored content should be labeled as such. They must remain an impartial force to help protect the rights under the first amendment. A good, credible, honest journalist is a public leader by way of the press. 

    * Be Accountable and Transparent 

    Above all else, journalists must take ownership of their actions and work. Whatever they publish IS susceptible to public criticism and WILL affect their reputation and credibility in the trade. Like journalists hold the government to accountability and transparency, so too should they exhibit ethical transparency standards. They should be able to go back and fix or right their mistakes right away with a humble rapport. They are the faces of the press, just as elected officials are the faces of the political sector. They build upon a network of outside characters to bring truth and accuracy to the public. They should be accountable to uphold this standard in their daily work, including when they get things wrong. No one is right or perfect all the time. Not the government, not journalists, not individuals. Being able to address one's wrongs and grow is an ethical imperative. 

    Although the SPJ Code of Ethics is not part of the First Amendment, it has been around and prevalent for over a century. It is not only relevant but crucial to the conduct of journalists and reporters. These standards help to manifest freedom of speech and press with ethical parameters. Like doctors, educators, lawyers, and other frontline or public workers, ethics not only make for exceptional service but uphold the fabric of democracy.