Ethics is the promise journalists should keep
Journalists practice their craft on the basis of a promise to society that they are trustworthy. The public must believe that journalists merit the right to access all public spaces and collect information and audio video to be used in the public interest, to produce news that is complete and true, that is accurate, that is timely and limit harm. These promises are contained in the code of ethics to which all practicing journalists subscribe.
Programme Overview
The purpose of a code of journalistic ethics is to guide journalists in providing accurate, fair, and reliable information that supports a healthy democracy. It serves as a moral compass for news media professionals to maintain public trust and handle complex, real-world dilemmas.
Rapid change in technology and consumer preferences to access news and information online now allows anyone with access to a smart phone and data to publish news and personal opinion. The most information reaching the public on online would have by-passed the traditional verification processes. The new environment also enables the publication of mischief including misinformation, disinformation, political propaganda and hate speech to be disseminated as credible news. This increases the responsibility on professional organisations such as the Editors Forum to increase efforts to promote compliance with ethics as well as media literacy that increases public knowledge to distinguish between genuine fact-based information and personal opinion or mischief.
An important part of promoting compliance with ethics are periodic public forums that encourage journalists to discuss ethics, their application and occasional challenges they face.
Innovations in news and information delivery platforms increasingly blur the boundaries of ethical considerations under new technological applications.
Key Pillars & Focus Areas
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