SPJ's code of ethics advocates for ethical journalism that is fair and accurate, where journalists gather reports and interpret information in an honest manner (SPJ, 2014). To achieve this, the journalist should ensure their work is as accurate as possible. They should ensure that sources verify data before releasing their work. In summarizing a story, journalists should ensure they do not oversimplify or misinterpret by providing appropriate context (SPJ, 2014). Journalists should identify their information sources by ensuring it is from a reliable source and ascertain that the source does not have any ill motives. Moreover, journalists should protect their confidential sources, which may be exposed to the potential danger when the information given is disclosed to the public (SPJ, 2014). Besides, journalists should seek related news subjects and allow them to respond to the allegations before them.
Journalists should be courageous enough to hold those in power accountable to the public by ensuring all government-related businesses are conducted transparently (SPJ, 2014). At no particular time should journalists deliberately distort facts or plagiarize information to suit their coverage needs. Journalists should always act independently and be cautious of being used by highly influential persons or the political class to drive a certain narrative. Also, journalists should be cautious of sources offering information in exchange for favors or money. They should also decline any forms of gifts, free travels, or special treatments that may compromise their impartiality (SPJ, 2014). Journalists should also be keen to expose any form of unethical conduct in journalism regardless of the organization.
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The SPJ’S code of ethics anticipates dilemmas and conflicts that may face journalists, compromising their professional ethics. One critical dilemma is the spread of fake news and propaganda, which has been rising, especially among the political class. There has been the rise of partisan journalist organizations that have been used by the political class to sow social discord by consciously fabricating stories to spark outrage among the US populous (Quinn, 2017). The SPJ’s code of ethics also anticipates a scenario where a journalist wants to expose an incriminating story against one of their top advertisers. He may not act independently as he may be forced by the managerial team to pull down the story. Also, the SPJ's code of ethics anticipates conflict of interests. A journalist may have to expose a story with total impartiality against someone with whom they have a personal relationship. Moreover, journalists have to determine if coverage is too confidential to disclose and whether its reporting will lead to the disclosure of compromising information (Ashton University, 2016). The SPJ’S code of ethics anticipates the audience dilemma where journalists are conflicted about producing stories that its audience wants or what the general public needs.
A real case scenario of unethical journalism is where journalists covered a story concerning Yazidi women in the Middle East. The women accused the journalists of forcing them to give details of their horrific experiences and disregarding the emotional pain that they were experiencing (Harb, 2018). They also accused them of exposing their faces and identity, thereby endangering their families.
Concealing informants such as a child who has been sexually abused is one element in the code that resonates well with me. This is because children are innocent humans that need our protection, and it would be unethical and inhumane to disclose children's faces and names to the public. Exercising impartiality in conflicts of interest may conflict with my values as I appreciate and care for those I love even though they are wrong. However, to reconcile this, managers should not assign duties that may bring a conflict of interest to journalists.
References
Ashton University. (2016, November 21). 5 ethical dilemmas journalism students might face . Ashford University. https://www.ashford.edu/online-degrees/communications/5-ethical-dilemmas-journalism-students-might-face
Harb, Z. (2018, March 8). A case of ethical neglect: How journalists failed Yazidi women . Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera. https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2018/3/8/a-case-of-ethical-neglect-how-journalists-failed-yazidi-women/
Quinn, A. (2017). Fake news, false beliefs, and the need for truth in journalism. International Journal of Applied Philosophy , 31 (1), 21-29. https://doi.org/10.5840/ijap201771884
SPJ. (2014, September 6). Codes of ethics . Society of Professional Journalists - Improving and protecting journalism since 1909. https://www.spj.org/pdf/spj-code-of-ethics.pdf
