System of Inquiry
Every organization should have a code of ethics in place as a guide for their business to follow. The code of ethics should address the major components that are important to the particular business needs. The Society of Professional Journalists has a code of ethics that guide journalists toward the proper reporting methods and protocol which is meant to ensure that fact based journalism is the result passed on to the community. The code of ethics consists of four major areas which include seeking the truth, minimizing harm, acting independently and accountability. Journalists should be held accountable to the code of ethics established by following a system of inquiry used to retrieve information as well as a plan to implement the system.
Code of Ethics of Journalists
Journalism practiced without a code of ethics can become severely tainted with false information. A journalist is responsible for reporting truthful information. The community is entitled to receive accurate and unbiased information. In a perfect situation, the journalist will report factual information that will allow the listener or reader to develop his or her own opinion as the how to interpret the information. According to the Professional Journalists one should be “honest fair and courageous when gathering, reporting and interpreting information.” News sources should be identified whenever possible and the journalist should question the motives of the sources. Pictures or video should never be distorted or misleading. As with any written or spoken reports, plagiarism in not tolerated. Stereotyping of any kind is discouraged and an ethical journalist will distinguish between news and advertisements. When the media leaks inaccurate info ...