Journalism Code of Ethics (from Society of Professional Journalists)

[barbaraann]

Preamble
Members of the Society of Professional Journalists believe that public enlightenment is the forerunner of justice and the foundation of democracy. The duty of the journalist is to further those ends by seeking truth and providing a fair and comprehensive account of events and issues. Conscientious journalists from all media and specialties strive to serve the public with thoroughness and honesty. Professional integrity is the cornerstone of a journalist's credibility. Members of the Society share a dedication to ethical behavior and adopt this code to declare the Society's principles and standards of practice.

http://www.spj.org/ethics_code.asp

The Basics:
Seek Truth and Report It
Minimize Harm
Act Independently
Be Accountable


This is a very enlightening document. One thing I see is that it was unethical for journalists to go to Bush's private little off-record bbq at the Lazy W Pig Farm:

"Refuse gifts, favors, fees, free travel and special treatment, and shun secondary employment, political involvement, public office and service in community organizations if they compromise journalistic integrity."

And here's one for you Geraldo:

"Avoid misleading re-enactments or staged news events. If re-enactment is necessary to tell a story, label it."

[Cooley Hurd]

1. Jerry Rivers was absent from class on that day....

...busy chasing skirts?:eyes:

[barbaraann]

2. I checked his bio and he's an attorney not a trained journalist.

Insert lawyer joke here. :D

[Just Me]

3. Thanks! I've printed for use as a resource tool!

:hi:

[barbaraann]

4. You're welcome.

I thought is was excellent. I'm trying to figure out how journalists can deal with sociopaths because obviously they aren't doing too well.