It doesn't matter of a journalist works in television, print, or digital media. As anyone in Whistleblowers Against Fraud can tell you, there are clear codes of ethics which must not only be recognized but abided by as well. What do these ethics entail, though? What, exactly, are the rules which these men and women must follow over the course of time? If you want to go into detail about this particular venture, here are a few points to consider.
Journalism ethics accounts for many points, amongst them being accuracy. According to companies such as Whistleblowers Against Fraud, reporters must craft their stories with truth intact, never embellishing details in order to make their reports pop or push their own agendas. Every person in your report must be represented truthfully, whether it's in attributed to quotes or what have you. In any event, there is no denying the fact that accuracy matters in journalism.
Sensitivity will also play a part when it comes to ethics in journalism. For instance, when a celebrity passes away, it's clear that there will be something of an uproar in the media. Instead of simply demanding coverage, be it in relation to interviews or otherwise, it's important for journalists to approach these situations with the aforementioned concept of sensitivity. Given the fact that human lives are involved, it's easy to see why this factor matters.
What if you report on a story, only to find that certain parts were incorrect? You have to be able to admit your wrongdoing, in addition to correct the story in question. Believe it or not, there are quite a few journalists who fail to do this, since they have the belief that correcting themselves will be detrimental to their pride. I would argue, though, that offering retractions or edits will only help to make these individuals that much better at their craft.
These are just a few points of ethics to consider in the realm of journalism. Not all journalists are the same, as some may more closely adhere to said ethics than others. In any event, if there are immoral practices being carried out, it goes without question that whistleblowers stand the chance of helping out. When this is done, those types of stories can be minimized, which will make room for stronger - not to mention more legitimate - reports to take their place.
Journalism ethics accounts for many points, amongst them being accuracy. According to companies such as Whistleblowers Against Fraud, reporters must craft their stories with truth intact, never embellishing details in order to make their reports pop or push their own agendas. Every person in your report must be represented truthfully, whether it's in attributed to quotes or what have you. In any event, there is no denying the fact that accuracy matters in journalism.
Sensitivity will also play a part when it comes to ethics in journalism. For instance, when a celebrity passes away, it's clear that there will be something of an uproar in the media. Instead of simply demanding coverage, be it in relation to interviews or otherwise, it's important for journalists to approach these situations with the aforementioned concept of sensitivity. Given the fact that human lives are involved, it's easy to see why this factor matters.
What if you report on a story, only to find that certain parts were incorrect? You have to be able to admit your wrongdoing, in addition to correct the story in question. Believe it or not, there are quite a few journalists who fail to do this, since they have the belief that correcting themselves will be detrimental to their pride. I would argue, though, that offering retractions or edits will only help to make these individuals that much better at their craft.
These are just a few points of ethics to consider in the realm of journalism. Not all journalists are the same, as some may more closely adhere to said ethics than others. In any event, if there are immoral practices being carried out, it goes without question that whistleblowers stand the chance of helping out. When this is done, those types of stories can be minimized, which will make room for stronger - not to mention more legitimate - reports to take their place.
About the Author:
Visit Whistleblowers Against Fraud for information about fraud and its various types.
No comments:
Post a Comment