SOCIETY OF PROFESSIONAL JOURNALISTS

CODE OF ETHICS
Dominique Pishotti
 THE IMPORTANCE OF
ETHICS
As a journalist, it is important to act with integrity. To do
so, the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) has
created four ethical principles that should be followed,
including:

1) Seek Truth and Report it

2) Minimize Harm
3) Act Independently
4) Be Accountable and Transparent

According to SPJ (2014), "Ethical journalism strives to

ensure the free exchange of information that is accurate,
fair and thorough" (p. 1).
news by Matt Madd licensed by CC 2.0
SEEK TRUTH &
REPORT IT
When gathering and interpreting information
for reporting, a journalist should always be
honest and courageous
Be responsible for the accuracy of their work
Fact-check and verify all information before
reporting it
Never use speed or format as an excuse for
inaccuracy
Always clearly identify sources or provide
anonymity to those who truly need it
Avoid stereotyping
Never plagiarize
MINIMIZE HARM
Journalists should always remember that
sources, subjects, colleagues and members of
the public are human beings that deserve
respect.
Proper balance of the public's need-to-know
information vs. not need-to-know.
Act compassionate towards those who may be
affected by news coverage
Avoid lurid curiosity
Think of the long-term consequences
ACT INDEPENDENTLY
A journalist's sole job is to serve the public.
Conflicts of interest should be avoided
Gifts and free favors should be refused
Do not show favoritism to advertisers, donors, or
any other individuals with special interests
News should be distinguished from advertising
and the lines between the two should never be
blurred
BE ACCOUNTABLE
AND TRANSPARENT
A journalist should always take responsibility
for their own work and let the public know
why they a made specific decisions
Explain ethical choices
Respond to questions about quality of work
quickly
Set high-standards and abide by them
Acknowledge mistakes and fix them in a timely
manner
REFERENCES
SPJ Code of Ethics - Society of Professional Journalists.
(2014, September 6). Retrieved January 27, 2019, from
https://www.spj.org/ethicscode.asp