Ethics and responsible journalism

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Ethics and responsible journalism

• FAM2000F Writing and Editing in the Media
• Dr. T.E.Bosch, 12th May 2008

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The ethics of journalism

• The establishment, maintenance and fostering of
  an independent, pluralistic and free press is
  essential to the development and maintenance of
  democracy in a nation, and for economic
  development (Windhoek Declaration, 1991).

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Today media ethics centre mainly on 3 issues

• Accuracy and fairness in reporting and
  photojournalism
• The behaviour of reporters, especially in
  relation to their sources and
• Avoidance of conflicts of interest.

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Basic ethical principles

• 1. Seek truth and report it as fully as possible
• Accuracy fairness
• 2. Minimize harm
• 3. Act independently
• 4. Accountability

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10 Commandments for Ethical Journalism

• Be accurate
• Be truthful
• Be fair
• Be duly impartial
• Protect confidential sources
• Be free from obligation
• Respect the privacy of individuals
• Dont intrude into private grief/stress
• Refrain from stereotyping
• Be socially responsible in referring to matters
  of indecency, obscenity, violence etc

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The concept of the public interest

• Detecting or exposing crime etc
• Detecting/ exposing serious anti-social conduct
• Protecting public health and safety
• Preventing the public from being misled by a
  statement or action
• Detecting/exposing hypocrisy on the part of
  public figures or institutions

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Ethics and health reporting

• Accuracy and truth particularly w.r.t. science
  and statistics
• Independence from various players in order to
  report honestly
• Minimizing harm when reporting on peoples status
• Obtaining informed consent
• Caution around reporting cures
• Reporting should not perpetuate stereotypes

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Responsible photojournalism

• It is unethical to publish as news photo any
  image which has been altered in such a way so as
  to convey information different from that
  conveyed in the original image.

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5 ethical concerns for photojournalists

• Victims of violence
• Right to privacy
• Picture manipulations
• Stereotyping
• Advertising/ editorial blurring

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1. Victims of violence

• Violence and tragedy as staples of journalism?

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2. Right to privacy

• Different for ordinary citizens versus
  celebrities?

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3. Picture manipulations

• These have been part of photography since it was
  invented, but have been hastened by computer
  technology.
• It is considered ethical as long as
  photojournalists do not add/ subtract parts of a
  pictures internal elements.
• Details of any manipulation should be provided to
  readers/ viewers.

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4. Stereotyping

• Photojournalists should be conscious of how
  images might convey stereotypes about race or
  gender.

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5. Advertising/ editorial blurring

• Advertisers mimic production cues of journalists
  to persuade viewers.