Journalist’s Code of Ethics

Posted on November 30th, 2009 by burgerboy

As dictated by the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, there is a Code Of Ethics that every Journalist must follow. This is to ensure that journalists do not abuse the power they hold to influence people with their reports.

Here’s the Code of Ethics that must be followed:

• I shall scrupulously report and interpret the news, taking care not to suppress essential facts or to distort the truth by omission or improper emphasis. I recognize the duty to air the other side and the duty to correct substantive errors promptly.

Journalists must be accurate in what they report and must ensure that all the important information are included in the report. This is to make sure that the messages conveyed in their reports are factual, true and accurate.

• I shall not violate confidential information on material given me in the exercise of my calling.

If journalists are given confidential information, it is their duty not to keep it confidential unless given permission to release it to the public. Often this information are sensitive and releasing it to the public without proper precaution can cause a lot of damage.

• I shall resort only to fair and honest methods in my effort to obtain news, photographs and/or documents, and shall properly identify myself as a representative of the press when obtaining any personal interview intended for publication.

Journalists should always identify themselves as so and obtain information only by fair means. This is to ensure that they don’t trample the right to privacy of the individual.

• I shall refrain from writing reports that will adversely affect a private reputation unless the public interest justifies it. At the same time, I shall fight vigorously for public access to information.

Journalists should think of the effect of the information that they are going to release to the public. If it will cause damage to a private individual, is there justifiable means to publicize it? Keeping this in mind, it is also a journalist’s job to keep the public informed.

• I shall not let personal motives or interests influence me in the performance of my duties, nor shall I accept or offer any present, gift or other consideration of a nature that may cast doubt on my professional integrity.

The job of a journalist is to keep the public informed accurately and truthfully using just means. Being a journalist means that you are a person with integrity who will always do what’s right and work for the truth and not for themselves.

• I shall not commit any act of plagiarism.

Truth and integrity are very vital in a journalist’s work and must be prioritized. Publicizing information that should be credited to others and taking credit is not only wrong, It is unethical and can be considered as a criminal offense.

• I shall not, in any manner, ridicule, cast aspersions on, or degrade any person by reason of sex, creed, religious belief, political conviction, cultural and ethnic origin.

A journalist cannot discriminate anyone in the delivery of the information he has gathered. The information must be objective and free from discrimination.

• I shall presume persons accused of crime of being innocent until proven otherwise. I shall exercise caution in publishing names of minors and women involved in criminal cases so that they may not unjustly lose their standing in society.

Journalists should always remember the phrase “innocent until proven guilty”. It is not easy to believe in the goodness of man but this is a part of the job. Journalists should also be cautious in releasing information about women and children because they are supposed to be protected and very fragile. A small mistake can cause a huge impact on their safety.

• I shall not take unfair advantage of a fellow journalist.

This is not only for journalists but is applicable in any career. We must always be ethical and we must have integrity in any line of work that we tackle.

• I shall accept only such tasks as are compatible with the integrity and dignity of my profession, invoking the “conscience clause” when duties imposed on me conflict with the voice of my conscience.

Journalists must always try to do the right thing and if ever doing the right thing is not an option, they must always choose to do the lesser evil.

• I shall conduct myself in public or while performing my duties as journalist in such manner as to maintain the dignity of my profession. When in doubt, decency should be my watchword.

Again, an important part of a journalist’s profession is having integrity. Without integrity, all the information coming from that journalist will be doubtful.

. . .