Journalism is an honorable profession and it provides the citizens of a particular nation access to important and relevant information about certain issues happening in their region. The journalists’ main goal is to ensure the rights of every citizen to know the truth regarding these issues. They must present the most current information regarding situations in the modern world.
Every journalist has the social responsibility to divulge the truth and to inform the general public about certain issues in their country. However, journalists should act in accordance with his or her own personal ethical standards only. In fact, the main ethics of the trade are to present every information with clarity, accuracy and without any bias.
This code is an obligatory requirement or moral guideline, every journalist should adhere to. Although the norms of the code cannot be used in any law proceeding, or as a means for holding journalists criminally. Every news network has its own regulations that every employee must follow. If journalists within that network broke that particular code, then they can be sued criminally.
Find out more about Pew International Journalism Program and how we fulfill the journalists code of ethics.
The Freedom Of The Press
The freedom of speech has provided a mass media network to express its thoughts and comments towards an issue the general public need to know. The freedom of the press involves the rights of journalists to freely discuss and criticize the activities of private, civil and government entities. It’s also their right to contribute to the realization and express their concerns regarding unpopular opinions, or they can agree with the point of view of the majority.
Every journalist must defend and uphold the freedom of press. They should retain independence, especially with their convictions and political views. Any effort to distort or resist information must be stopped.
Our conferences at Pew Fellowships will tackle freedom of the press.
The Principles For Gathering Information
As journalists, we should always respect the right of society to know the truth behind every issue we published through our network. For this purpose, we should only convey truthful information that we’ve gathered on the field. We must present a whole spectrum of opinions that are based on facts and accurate info – checking the info is always a must!
Check this link if you want to know our conference regarding our coverage after 9/11.
In addition, journalists must do their best to gather information from all possible sources. This will ensure that everything we feed on air is truthful and unbiased. It’s unprofessional to humiliate or offend a person, especially when the information you’ve gathered is based on hearsay and rumors.
The most important thing to remember is that we obtained the information through ethical and legal means. So, when a reporter is requesting for information, they must introduce themselves, and the media outlet they represent. The respondents must also be aware that the information gathered from them will be published, except when the info is confidential or can be used to resolve a certain legal issue.
The journalist must not abuse the trust of their respondents. In case of tragedies, the journalist must be patient enough to wait for their respondents to answer their questions. They must interview the person carefully, without causing grief and depression.
Also, when gathering stories, journalists must not misrepresent themselves. They should not hide their true identity, unless the information can only be obtained through unconventional means, or otherwise of major importance to the society.
Get the full details of our fellowships here.
Code Of Ethics In Publication
Journalists must present the facts in the most truthful way possible, they should not distort the truth or manipulate the story of their news. Unbiased journalism does not mean that we abstain from expressing our personal opinions. It only means that our readers must tell the difference between the facts and our very own opinions. In writing our articles, we must not limit ourselves to one writing style, but we should use the style that is relevant to the particular information we’re presenting.
We should not be the spokesperson of a private group or become bias to protect an individual’s interest. Our main goal is to contribute to the pluralism of opinions. Bias commentary must always be avoided, because it’s a violation of journalistic ethics.
That is why it’s important to prepare before writing analytical materials, and commenting on certain issues must be performed by seasoned journalists. They have the experience and competence to the task at hand. Also, people featured in the articles must be characterized by their nationality, race, religion and status in society.
Learn more about the “Code Of Ethics in Publication.”
The Proper Way Of Writing Headlines and Subheadlines in Newspaper Articles
Before we create headlines for our news articles, we must ensure that it correspond to the content of our article, including the videos and still images we’ve used on that particular write-up. Rumors and unconfirmed information must mark by the editor for verification.
For this purpose, symbolic illustrations must be used in the article and should be clearly recognizable and must contain unique tags. When stating facts or entering discussion on a particular issue, we must stick to the code of ethics and we must show respect to our discussion partner. We should not violate the rights of third parties.
We cannot publish the behavior or any information of private individuals, unless it affects the public interest. Taking pictures of citizens in a private environment without consent is punishable by law, because this could offend or humiliate them.
Covering family conflicts, especially those being handled in the courts can be published, but it’s recommended that we should not mention the names of minors involved in the legal battle. When we are writing news articles about medical establishments, we must ask permission first from the management. Any information pertaining to diseases and bodily defects is considered a private.
When we are publishing medical topics, it’s essential that we do not foster false hopes by promoting unproven information about certain drugs and their healing qualities. Our responsibilities are limited to the facts we’ve gathered from medical specialists, and not just our own opinion.
Writing Articles About Victims Of Violence
When we are presenting the facts about incidents and victims of violence, we must treat everything with care. Special attention on photographs that are not too graphic, especially during accidents must be included in our news materials. Journalists who cover catastrophes must not exceed their limit, and should always take into consideration the victim’s feelings as well as to respect the memories of those who were lost on those tragedies.
Mass media must not be used to stimulate the interest of the public to the details of crimes. We must always consider the interest of the victims and their rights that are stated in the law.
Our Leaders at Pew Fellowship
A Fellowship program like no other:
Journalists cover the world
The International Reporting Project gives U.S. journalists a chance to learn about international issues and to travel to any country in the world for an in-depth reporting project. Priorities include stories about international health, the world of Islam, refugees and population issues, the environment, women’s and children’s rights, press freedom, cultural and social change, economic development and post-conflict resolution. Since 1998, the IRP has been educating early-career, mid-career and senior journalists about the world.
Gatekeepers’ Fact-Finding Trip to India,
Summary of trip for U.S. Gatekeeper Editors
The International Reporting Project is pleased to announce a 13-day fellowship fact-finding trip to INDIA for U.S. “gatekeeper” editors and producers interested in learning more about this important country. Gatekeepers are any senior journalists – executive editors, managing editors, broadcast producers, wire editors, editorial page editors, business editors, op-ed page editors and others – who help select editorial content.
Want to learn more about India first-hand? Here’s your chance
Deep Divisions Among Sunnis, Shiites and Kurds Will Challenge Stability of New Iraqi Government, says IRP Journalist-in-Residence
Chandrasekaran, the IRP Journalist-in-Residence, is writing a book about Iraq based on his more than 18 months reporting from Baghdad. His talk focused on the January 30th elections in Iraq. Despite the threats and in defiance of suicide bombs, Iraqi citizens voted for the first time in half a century.
“There is no doubt that the 30th was a good day,” he said, “but the real proof will be seen first in the election results, and then in the government that comes from it as a result of the back room negotiations.”
Survival rates higher among recently wounded troops in Iraq, Afghanistan
Dr. Craig Shriver, chief surgeon at Walter Reed, told Fellows from the International Reporting Project (IRP) here today that the improved survival rates are the result of a timely combination of advances in transportation, medicine, and battle gear technology.
Cutting edge medical care has been moved nearly to the front lines in Iraq, with doctors working in “combat support units,” or high-tech tents where they can do everything from bandage a small wound to perform brain surgery, Dr. Shriver said. Physicians stabilize the critically wounded, then immediately evacuate them to Landstuhl Hospital in Germany, and then on to Walter Reed if necessary. A critically wounded patient can be flown from Iraq to Walter Reed in less than three days, a transportation speed unimaginable in previous conflicts. “We cannot move Walter Reed to the battlefield,” noted Dr. Shriver, “so we must move the patients to Walter Reed.”
Training in Conflict Resolution Becomes New Tool for Solving Africa’s Disputes
Former Michigan congressman Howard Wolpe has been negotiating conflicts in Africa for years, but even he was surprised when the towering general and the diminutive nun, long on opposing sides of that country’s bitter ethnic differences, marched together. It was the third day of conflict resolution training exercises that Wolpe believes could be a model for reducing ethnic or religious hostilities in war-torn nations.
In a talk to the 2005 IRP Fellows, Wolpe, who currently directs the Africa Program at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, DC. said the Burundi Leadership Training Program (BLTP) may be a model for other post-conflict nations such as Rwanda, the Congo, and even Iraq. “It’s a very powerful set of tools we’re using,” said Wolpe.