1. Journalism with integrity
Editorial ethics
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Journalism with integrity

2. 1: Why I am doing this story?
Purpose
Don’t bang a drum
What is my journalistic purpose?
What is my personal motivation?
How can I include others with different perspectives and diverse ideas?
Who are the stakeholders and what are their motivations?
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3. 1: Why I am doing this story?
Purpose
Do no harm
What if the roles were reversed? How would I feel?
What are the possible consequences of my actions?
What are my alternatives to maximise my truth-telling responsibility and minimise harm?
Can I justify my decisions? To my colleagues? To the stakeholders? To the public?
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4. 2: Personal conduct
Motivation
Eyes wide open
Seek truth and report it as fully as possible – eyes wide open
Act independently – owe nobody and don’t seek favours or favourites
Minimise harm – had it not been for you, the world would never know
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5. 2: Personal conduct Motivation Don’t follow the flock
Assess all facts – don’t ignore the uncomfortable, or that which goes against your script
Independent sources – don’t follow the flock, find fresh voices and perspectives.
Thoroughly check the validity of information – take nothing at face value.
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6. 3: Attitudes of mind
Purpose
Voice to the voiceless
Be honest, fair, and courageous in gathering and reporting.
Give voice to the voiceless and hold the powerful accountable.
Guard vigorously the role a free press plays in an open society.
Seek out and disseminate competing perspectives.
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7. 3: Attitudes of mind
Purpose
Free of any chains
Remain free of associations and activities that may compromise.
Be compassionate for those affected by your actions.
Treat all with respect, not as means to your journalistic ends.
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8. 4: Accuracy Sourced facts More important than speed
Output must be well sourced, based on sound evidence, thoroughly tested and presented in clear, precise language
We should be honest and open about what we don't know and avoid unfounded speculation
Accuracy is more important than speed and it is often more than simply a question of getting the facts right.
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9. 4: Accuracy
Verified facts
Weigh all facts
All the relevant facts and information should be weighed to get at the truth
If an issue is controversial, relevant opinions as well as facts may need to be considered
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10. 4: Accuracy We achieve accuracy by: Fact checking is essential
The accurate gathering of material using first-hand sources wherever possible
Checking and cross-checking the facts
Validating the authenticity of documentary evidence and digital material
Corroborating claims and allegations made by contributors wherever possible.
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11. 5: Impartiality and diversity
Wide range of opinions
Multiple strands of thought
We must reflect a wide range of opinion and should explore conflicting views
No strand of thought should be knowingly un-reflected or under-represented in our output
We should produce content about any subject as long as there are good editorial reasons for doing so
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12. 5: Impartiality and diversity
Explore both sides
Never offer a distorted view
We can explore or report on a specific aspect of an issue or provide an opportunity for a single view to be expressed
But we should not misrepresent opposing views and must offer a right of reply
We must ensure we avoid bias on controversial subjects
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13. 5: Impartiality and diversity
Causing offence
Public interest test
We will sometimes need to report on issues or interview people whose views may cause serious offence to many in our audiences
We must be convinced – after checking with our editor - that a clear public interest outweighs the possible offence
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14. 6: Fairness & consent Public interest test Obtaining consent
We will be open, honest and straightforward in our dealings with the public unless there is a clear public interest in doing otherwise
People will normally have consented to contribute to our output
Where allegations are being made, the individuals or organisations concerned should normally have the right of reply
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15. 7: Privacy
Respect privacy
Challenge in the public interest
We must not infringe privacy without good reason wherever in the world it is operating
It is essential in order to exercise our rights of freedom of expression and information that we work within a framework which respects an individual's privacy and treats them fairly
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16. 8: Religion Respect individual freedoms Protect the vulnerable
We respect the fundamental human right to exercise freedom of thought, conscience and religion, this includes an individual's freedom to worship, teach, practise and observe
At the same time, we recognise our duty to protect the vulnerable and avoid unjustified offence or likely harm
We aim to achieve this by ensuring our output is not used to denigrate the beliefs or otherwise of others
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17. 9: Independence & integrity
Stay free of partisan interests
Never endorse products
We must be independent of partisan interests
We must not endorse or appear to endorse any other organisation, its products, activities or services
We should not give undue prominence to commercial products or services
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18. Media Helping Media
The source of the following material in this module along with reference to the BBC’s editorial guidelines.