Ethics

Ethics Goals

Journalism ethics are not black and white. That's why we call this working definition "ethics goals." Here is our current list of ethics goals for good journalism:

Accuracy.
The first rule of journalism ethics is to strive for accuracy: triple-check facts, make sure names are spelled correctly, describe events as they actually happened as best you can. Whether you're writing a bare-bones hard news story or a persuasive opinion piece, your efforts will be wasted if the work is not accurate. This may not seem glamourous, but it's the foundation of good journalism.

Avoid copying others.
This may sound like common sense but requires constant vigilance on the part of the writer. Avoid copying because it is unfair to the original author and because you may well be repeating someone else's mistakes. If, on the other hand, you see another writer copying your work, let his editor know.

Get both sides of the story.
While opinions on "objectivity" might vary, you must present a balanced view of what is happening or has happened, especially in news stories. (Talk to the cop and the jailbird, or at least the defense attorney.)

Let news dictate what is news.
Don't write about something to make someone happy, to keep advertisers or to get revenge. Write about things that are important, informative or interesting.

Go to the source.
When reporting on a story, avoid relying on secondary information. So, you read it in the New York Times, it must be true, right? We hope so. But instead of relying on a secondary source, which is just as capable of making mistakes as you are, find out the original source of information. Call the person quoted; look up the fact reported. If you must rely on a secondary source because of a lack of time or resources, give full credit. (The New York Times reported such and such happened yesterday.)

Report with an open mind.
Think someone is a crook? Have some evidence that he is a liar? You might be correct in your assumptions. But, then again, you might be wrong. So, when reporting on a person or organization, always keep in mind that your assumptions may be incorrect and be open to an explanation that doesn't fit your hypothesis.

Label stories honestly.
There's nothing wrong with opinions -- except when they are sneakingly placed inside stories presented as hard news. If you write an opinion piece, don't call it a news report. If you are writing a news story, and you want to say that you think someone is up to no good, stop. Don't say what you think, just show the facts, and more to the point, how what a subject says contradicts the facts.

Be clear.
Before trying to show off some fancy writing tricks, ask yourself, 'Will the reader be able to understand what I'm saying?' What good is fancy writing if no one can understand it?