Journalists Code Of Ethics

Seek Truth and
Report It
Journalists should be honest, fair and courageous in gathering, reporting and interpreting information.

Journalists should:

— Test the accuracy of information from all sources and exercise care to avoid inadvertent error. Deliberate distortion is never permissible.
— 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.
— Always question sources’ motives before promising anonymity. Clarify conditions attached to any promise made in exchange for information. Keep promises.
— Make certain that headlines, news teases and promotional material, photos, video, audio, graphics, sound bites and quotations do not misrepresent. They should not oversimplify or highlight incidents out of context.
— Never distort the content of news photos or video. Image enhancement for technical clarity is always permissible. Label montages and photo illustrations.
— Avoid misleading re-enactments or staged news events. If re-enactment is necessary to tell a story, label it.
— Avoid undercover or other surreptitious methods of gathering information except when traditional open methods will not yield information vital to the public. Use of such methods should be explained as part of the story
— Never plagiarize.
— Tell the story of the diversity and magnitude of the human experience boldly, even when it is unpopular to do so.
— Examine their 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 views they find repugnant.
— Give voice to the voiceless; official and unofficial sources of information can be equally valid.
— Distinguish between advocacy and news reporting. Analysis and commentary should be labeled and not misrepresent fact or context.
— Distinguish news from advertising and shun hybrids that blur the lines between the two.
— Recognize a special obligation to ensure that the public's business is conducted in the open and that government records are open to inspection.

Do a Dollop of Daisy!

Okay, I know it doesn't make any sense, but I just have to let it flow. When I draw a blank, and can’t come up with anything to say, I stop thinking. Then I type the first thing that pops into my head. Obviously, the first installment on my new site means a lot to me. First impressions are everything—hence, the title, “Do a Dollop of Daisy.”

I realize you’re confused and probably wondering why you should continue to read on. I will bring it all together for you by the end of the next paragraph, I promise. Thank you for bearing with m—I am a freelancer, you know. We are quite a different lot of people.

There’s this “thing” about me. I don’t know what you’d call it. I am frozen. My brain won’t function until I can push past this “thing.” Most of what is pulsing through my thoughts right now is jingles, and pieces of goofy songs. Why does this happen? I’m going to call it, FASP (First Article Syndrome Paralysis).

What would you do, for a Klondike bar? I would write this crappy first piece, so I can move onto the next (not crappy piece). That way, number one is behind me. I can focus, and FASP can have no effect on my ability to function. So, please don’t judge me by this dollop. The upcoming editorial is going to be a daisy.