Journalism refers to the product or activity of journalists or other individuals who have indulged themselves in the preparation of visual, written, or audio material whose main aim is to be disseminated to the public via public media. The intention behind this is to publicize facts and ideas that could actually remain private. Journalism spreads out for non-specific audiences who are sometimes general and sometimes somehow specific.
Ethics on the other hand refers to the acceptable set of principles that are considered to be right. They are actually socially accepted morals of conduct. Since media acts like the mirror of society, it has the responsibility of portraying this virtue of ethics. However, several people have varying perceptions about this.
The draft of the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) code of ethics was released in the released on 30th August in the year 1995. It was fated by several critics to be too vague and long to be applied practically in the workplace. Christians, Fackler and Rotzoll referred to journalism as a history in hurry that was sandwiched in pressures and deadlines that were very demanding. Employees in the industry are said to dedicate minimum consideration to moral metaphysics.
The existence of codes is due to the delicate nature of media issues. Therefore, these codes provide a platform for protection and guiding of journalists’ and those involved in media’ steps. There is a conflict between government regulation and self regulation since some government rules seem to be quite oppressive. According to Rupert Henderson, ethical standards’ maintenance depends on newspapers and those that read them. Therefore, members do not have a right to censor, regulate, or set standards for employee’s conduct.
Regulations have been put in place so as to censor publications that may appear to raise eyebrows. For example, a publication on a young sports star who later became a drug addict and eventually turned to a killer didn’t sound as a good idea since the publications revealed abusive pictures of the young star compelled the publisher to explain his point of making such a publication.
Among the ethical practices required is truth. The SPJ code states that journalist should be courageous, fair and be honest in gathering information, reporting and making interpretations on the information. The MEAA code also calls for respect for the truth and availability of information to the public since it is their right. Therefore, the journalist shouldn’t add anything to the data. He/she should not lie to the audience hence rely on their own reporting and always be humble. Journalists should go against the vice of deception hence reveal evil deeds like corruption contemplation to cause harm and dishonesty.
Fraud is another issue that is being addressed in the journalists’ ethics. This has been noted in many avenues for example e.g. disguising a police officer to get information on something. Surveillance objects like hidden cameras have also made it easier for some vital information to be gathered.
At some point and situations, as a journalist, you may receive rewards from people you write about. However, temptations arise when businesses, huge companies, etc. entice one for offers like trips so as to conceal some information. Ethically, this is not okay and as a journalist one shouldn’t give in since this may tarnish your reputation as well as that one of the employer. Therefore, journalists are advised not to let their personal interests eat into their professional reputation. Any disclosure of indirect or direct payment made for interviews is an idea that is readily welcomed.
Chequebook journalism is another trending idea that has gained popularity. It involves paying someone son that they can say a story about themselves. However, some people may feel to be under pressure and hence over exaggerate on their success so as to appear more interesting some journalists again may evade some question so as not portray the subject s negatively. Some criminals and other wrongdoers may find it profitable when they are paid for their crime stories.
Journalists have a very big task they ought to carry out. The nature of the events that occur demands that the journalists should be available at the scene where the events take place. For example what happened on (Sept. 13, 2001) in downtown where the coverage was very poor. This should enable them with first hand information on happenings like terrorism, war, violence and natural calamities. These events happen to be very nostalgic hence their reporting is very important. The first respondents are journalists. Other people who are expected to be the first ones to arrive at the scene are officials, firefighters and the police. It has been noted that a big percentage of say 86-98% of news and trending affairs’ contents are said to be traumatic.
According to (MEAA), there should be respect for personal privacy. However, there are some situations that call for this type of privacy to be overlooked because some vital information may be needed. Therefore, journalists have the right to intrusion of such privacy. News should be interpreted and reported honestly ensuring that accuracy is observed. It is not advisable to suppress the truth and relevant facts that are available. Therefore, they should practice fairness. According to the Australian Press Council, journalist should balance between reader’s sensibilities and public interest. This means that materials like photographs that are likely to trigger offence should be used sparingly or never.
For example, images of relatives who have been involved in a tragic accident, death or have been wounded may hurt the feelings of their relatives. Such images are displayed if and only if there is a presence of a reason that is publicly identifiable interest to view them. This is guided by clauses (2.20) and (2.24) that spell out the reason for broadcasting and selecting aural and visual material that may seriously offend a good number of viewers. Interviewing those hurt and their families proves to be one tough assignment. This reporting calls for originality and precision. As a journalist, one ought to be respectful and compassionate since these may be of their worst moment in life. There is a possibility that some of these people are being interviewed for the first time hence they may dread some conditions. Those who are unwilling to be interviewed should be left alone and those ones who prefer to give a later response should be allowed to do so.
When a journalist is gathering information he/she should make the purpose clear to the respondent. It is wise to avoid jargon and make the interview as simple as the journalist can. Incase family photos are to be borrowed this should be done in a respective manner and they should be returned before the stated deadline. The journalist should be careful when listening so as not to inform the public what they shouldn’t know.
According to Janet Malcolm, a journalist should not be too full of himself to know the morality of what he is doing. He should be confident able to gain the people’s confidence and never betray them to remorseful extremes.
Since journalism is a business, the desire for profit has impaired freedom democracy on the fourth estate. The desire to attract a large audience has reduced the quality of journalism. Journalists’ confidential information sources ought to be protected. Elliot (1998) said that journalists ought to share at least three core values i.e. accuracy of accounts that should be accurate and balanced. Publication of the accounts should also not hurt people and it is the journalists’ responsibility to ensure that they give the people what they are in need of.
It is quite saddening that some despite the request for journalist to observe ethical practices they are not implemented. They should understand that implementation of these practices avoids upsetting people. This may be due to pictures, interviews, pictures, writings and reports. It is difficult to instill such sense to all journalists since their actions are dependent on their perceptions and judgment of the situations they are subjected to. However, they are reminded that they should be ready to face repercussions since even words can hurt!
According to (Henningham 1990), ethical codes constitute the means by which professionals are equipped with skills that convert unclear notions into viable practice.
Works Cited
Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. Resolution 1003(1993) on the ethics of journalism.
APME (Associated Press Managing Editors). Statement of Ethical Principles.
Bacon, W. (1996), “The code of ethics: When aspirations are not enough”, Reportage,
(Winter): 8-9.
Chadwick, P. (1994), “Creating codes: journalism self-regulation”, in J.Schultz (ed),
Not Just Another Business: Journalists, Citizens and the Media, Leichhardt: Pluto Press. (167-188).
http://www.alliance.org.au/journalists_confidential_sources_must_be_protected/
