The Society of Professional Journalists has written a Code of Ethics to help guide journalists in their work. Many news outlets also have their own codes.
Still, there are few absolutes in journalism and there is a wide spectrum of opinions about what constitutes ethical behavior.
Take a look at the code
. What parts of the code might be most difficult for journalists to adhere to?
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So while looking over the Ethical Guidelines it seems like there can be a very, very fine line. Like such:(Under “Seek the Truth and Report It”) “Diligently seek out subjects of news stories to give them the opportunity to respond to allegations of wrongdoing.
Identify sources whenever feasible. The public is entitled to as much information as possible on sources’ reliability.” (http://spj.org/ethicscode.asp) Here its saying to make sure you get to the source for important information so you can let the public know and to let the public know who the story involves.
Though what if it was a situation where a distinguished government official was caught paying for sex from a prostitute. The family of this official would want privacy to grieve in this un-thinkable point in their lives. And under “Minimize Harm” on the Society of Professional Journalists website on ethical guidelines it states: “Be sensitive when seeking or using interviews or photographs of those affected by tragedy or grief.
Recognize that gathering and reporting information may cause harm or discomfort. Pursuit of the news is not a license for arrogance.” So do you get the inside story from the family about how this situation has affected them, or do you let them grieve in privacy understand that it will cause harm. Its a fine line between getting the story and respecting peoples privacy. Journalists must decide what is best for the audience (the public). Though our society is so caught up with knowing what is going on in everyone’s business that to not get the story would be an error because if you did, your audience would for sure be looking for it and wanting to know the details. So the question I am left with is: would getting the story about a headlining story about a distinguished government official be the journalists job even though there are ethical guidelines?
Journalists need to think about the larger public. So, despite the credo of “minimize harm” in the code of ethics, most journalists would ponder whether there is a greater public good to serve by publishing. That does not mean that all rushes to publication serve a greater public good, but that should be the standard.
The part of the code document that caught my eye was the Minimize Harm. I find that, and I could be wrong, most news outlets arent compassionate in regards to people who are “affected adversely by news coverage.” I can remember one instance when one news anchor, Nancy Grace, was interviewing Elizabeth Smart. She was asking the most biting questions, and Elizabeth Smart was clearly uncomfortable and even stated it at one point. I have noticed that a lot of these kinds of anchors/media figures like to use the “shock value” of every story to advance the popularity of their show. It has even trickled into local news media. Usually, in the past, news anchors on Fox 61 for example seemed more sensitive to certain issues and how they handled them. Now even Fox 61 has crossed a couple lines, nothing incredibly major but still some moments where I was a little shocked.
The one I think is incredibly important from the whole list is:
— Be judicious about naming criminal suspects before the formal filing of charges.
I mentioned it in class once, but in many international newspapers, if you are accused you are condemned whether you are truly guilty or not. Amanda Knox is an example. I dont have any judgement to pass on whether or not she did commit the crime that she was convicted of, but before her trial had even begun, before all the evidence had been gathered, Italian newspapers were already splashing front page info that she was guilty. It would be a sad sad day if that started to happen in America.