Preamble
The Village News, as do the 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. The Village
New shares the philosophy of the Society in a dedication
to ethical behavior and have adopted this code to declare
the Society's principles and standards of practice.
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.
Minimize Harm
Ethical journalists treat sources, subjects and colleagues
as human beings deserving of respect.
Journalists should:
— Show compassion for those who may be affected
adversely by news coverage. Use special sensitivity when
dealing with children and inexperienced sources or subjects.
— Be sensitive when seeking or using interviews
or photographs of those affected by tragedy or grief.
— Recognize that gathering and reporting information
may cause harm or discomfort. Pursuit of the news is not
a license for arrogance.
— Recognize that private people have a greater right
to control information about themselves than do public
officials and others who seek power, influence or attention.
Only an overriding public need can justify intrusion into
anyone’s privacy.
— Show good taste. Avoid pandering to lurid curiosity.
— Be cautious about identifying juvenile suspects
or victims of sex crimes.
— Be judicious about naming criminal suspects before
the formal filing of charges.
— Balance a criminal suspect’s fair trial
rights with the public’s right to be informed.
Act Independently
Journalists should be free of obligation to any interest
other than the public's right to know.
Journalists should:
—Avoid conflicts of interest, real or perceived.
— Remain free of associations and activities that
may compromise integrity or damage credibility.
— 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.
— Disclose unavoidable conflicts.
— Be vigilant and courageous about holding those
with power accountable.
— Deny favored treatment to advertisers and special
interests and resist their pressure to influence news
coverage.
— Be wary of sources offering information for favors
or money; avoid bidding for news.
Be Accountable
Journalists are accountable to their readers, listeners,
viewers and each other.
Journalists should:
— Clarify and explain news coverage and invite
dialogue with the public over journalistic conduct.
— Encourage the public to voice grievances against
the news media.
— Admit mistakes and correct them promptly.
— Expose unethical practices of journalists and
the news media.
— Abide by the same high standards to which they
hold others.
This code of ethics is a slightly alter version of
the ethics statement published by the Society of Professional
Journalists. The Village News has added its name as part
of the preamble. For more information on ethics in journalism
visit Society of Professional
Journalists.
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