JN 311 Lecture 14: 4_9_2018 Lecture
22 Apr 2018
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Ethics: morally right decisions, practices and policies. You can"t write about the ethical failings of others if you don"t practice ethics yourself. But every news organization should have its own ethics policies for all employees to. Individual journalists can have their own internal ethics follow. An ethics policy is a starting point; every ethical dilemma must be decided based on its particular facts. The journalism profession has several codes of ethics that news organizations can choose to follow. It is a violation of the first amendment to prevent someone from practicing journalism. Identify sources; use anonymous ones only when sources face retribution for revealing vital info not available by other means. Diligently seek response from targets of criticism, allegations. Avoid undercover reporting unless no other way to get vital info. Support open, civil exchange of views, even ones they find repugnant. Balance public"s need to know vs. potential harm to individuals. Show compassion for those affected by news coverage.
