Codes of ethics Defining and describing standards and best practices
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 and the New York Times
The rise of professionalism Adolph Ochs and the New York Times Joseph Pulitzer (right) seeks a legacy
The rise of professionalism Adolph Ochs and the New York Times Joseph Pulitzer (right) seeks a legacy Sigma Delta Chi 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
Case study: The Big Dig Globe had memo warning of safety problems Couldn’t reach contractor for comment Memo turned out to be a likely forgery
Case study: The Big Dig Should contractor have been given more time to respond?
Case study: The Big Dig Should contractor have been given more time to respond? Would it have mattered?
Case study: The Big Dig Should contractor have been given more time to respond? Would it have mattered? How long can you wait on a breaking story?
Journalists and politics (I) Armstrong Williams and Maggie Gallagher
Journalists and politics (II) MSNBC.com reported on scores of journalists making political donations Many media outlets do not prohibit donations, despite codes of ethics Rosenstiel: Opinion journalists should be treated the same as news reporters
What does the public think? 34 percent: No way 30 percent: No problem 37 percent: No problem as long as there’s disclosure