ETHICS OF NEWS GATHERING

Accuracy:

• Check the accuracy of information from all source to avoid error.
• Subjects of news stories should always have the opportunity to respond to any allegation of wrongdoing.
• When mistakes are made, they must be corrected fully and quickly.
• Headlines, news teases and promotional materials, including photos, video, audio, graphics, sound bites and quotations should never misrepresent, oversimplify, or highlight incidents out of context.

Treatment of sources:

• Identify sources whenever possible so that the public has much information possible to determine the sources’ reliability
• Always keep any promises made in return for the source’s cooperation.
• Only guarantee a source’s anonymity when the source insists upon it. When he or she provides vital information, when there is no other way to obtain that information, and when the source is knowledgeable and reliable.
• Strive to quote sources accurately and in the proper context.

Avoiding Bias:

• Distinguish between advocacy and news reporting. Analysis and commentary should be labeled and not misrepresent facts or context.
• Distinguish news from advertising and avoid hybrids that blur the two.
• Examine your own cultural values and avoid imposing those values on others.
• Avoid stereotyping by race, gender, age, religion, ethnicity, geography, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance or social status.
• Support the open exchange of views, even vies you might find repugnant.

Avoid Distortions:

• Never knowingly introduce false information into materials intended for publication or broadcast.
• Never alter photo, video or image content.

Gathering Information:

• Avoid undercover or other surreptitious methods of gathering information, expect when traditional open methods will not yield information vital to the public.
• Use of non-traditional methods of gathering information should be explained as part of the story.
• Rely on the most up-to-date ad accurate research when gathering facts of a story.
• Never plagiarize.

Minimizing harm:

• Show compassion for those who may be affected adversely by news coverage, especially children and inexperienced sources or subjects.
• Be sensitive when seeking or using interviews or photographs of those affected by tragedy or grief.
• Understand that private people have a greater expectation of privacy than do public officials and others who seek power, influence or attention.
• Be cautious about identifying juvenile suspects or victims of crimes.
• Be cautious about naming criminal suspects before formal filing of charges.

Avoiding conflicts of interest/ Act dependently:

• Avoid conflicts of interest, real or perceived.
• Remain free of associations and activities that may compromise integrity or damage credibility.
• Always refuse gifts, favors, fees, free travel and special treatments
• Avoid secondary employment, political involvement, public office, or service in community organizations if they compromise journalistic integrity.
• Disclose unavoidable conflicts.
• Deny favoured treatment to advertisers and special interest
• Be wary of sources offering information for favours or money.

Be accountable

• Clarify and explain news coverage and invite dialogue from the public over journalistic conduct
• Encourage the public to voice grievances against the news media
• Admit mistakes and correct them promptly
• Expose unethical practices of journalists and the news media

Abide by the same high standards to which they hold others.