Professional Codes of Ethics

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Introducing the codes of ethics established by professional organizations for journalists.

History of professional codes of ethics: This topic covers the evolution of professional codes of ethics in the media industry, starting from the first code of ethics developed in the 1920s to the current codes of ethics developed by various media organizations.
Principles of professional codes of ethics: This entails understanding the ethical principles that guide the media industry, such as truthfulness, accuracy, accountability, transparency, and fairness.
Role and responsibility of media professionals: It is important to understand the role and responsibility of media professionals in upholding the principles of professional codes of ethics, such as reporting the truth, providing diverse viewpoints, and respecting privacy.
Impact of ethical breaches in the media industry: This topic explores the consequences of ethical breaches in the media industry, such as loss of credibility, loss of public trust, and legal consequences.
Ethical decision-making process: Media professionals are faced with challenging ethical dilemmas regularly, and this topic covers the process to make ethical decisions when facing these dilemmas.
Global perspectives on media ethics: It's important to explore how different cultures and societies view media ethics, as these viewpoints may differ in fundamental ways.
Social media ethics: This topic explores the ethical challenges posed by social media, such as fake news, privacy, and cyberbullying.
Media ownership and ethics: Understanding the impact of media ownership on media ethics is important, as media organizations may be influenced by their owners' values and beliefs.
Advertising and ethics: This topic explores the ethical challenges posed by advertising, such as the use of false or misleading information in advertisements.
Legal and ethical considerations in investigative journalism: Investigative journalism can uncover important information that may expose wrongdoing, but it also raises ethical concerns around privacy, confidentiality, and the use of hidden cameras.
The relationship between the media and society: Media organizations have a social responsibility to society, and this topic explores the role of media in shaping public opinion and culture.
The future of media ethics: As technology advances and media organizations face new challenges, it is important to consider how media ethics may evolve in the future.
Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics: Developed by the Society of Professional Journalists, this code of ethics outlines four key principles for journalists: seek the truth and report it, minimize harm, act independently, and be accountable and transparent.
Radio Television Digital News Association Code of Ethics: This code of ethics is designed specifically for broadcast journalists and emphasizes the importance of accuracy, fairness, honesty, and transparency in reporting.
National Press Photographers Association Code of Ethics: This ethical code is focused on the unique challenges faced by photojournalists, including the need to balance the desire for compelling images with the importance of respecting privacy and maintaining dignity.
American Society of News Editors Code of Ethics: This code of ethics emphasizes the importance of journalistic transparency, including the disclosure of sources and conflicts of interest.
Online News Association Code of Ethics: This ethical code is designed for digital journalists and emphasizes the importance of accuracy, transparency, fairness, and the protection of sources.
Public Relations Society of America Code of Ethics: This code of ethics is focused on the ethical practices of public relations professionals and emphasizes the importance of honesty, transparency, and accountability.
Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication Code of Ethics: Developed for educators and researchers in the field of media ethics, this code of ethics emphasizes the importance of intellectual honesty and ethical behavior in research, teaching, and professional practice.
Association of National Advertisers Code of Ethics: This ethical code is designed for marketing and advertising professionals and emphasizes the importance of honesty, transparency, and fairness in all advertising and marketing practices.
"The basic codes and canons commonly appear in statements by professional journalism associations and individual print, broadcast, and online news organizations."
"There are around 400 codes covering journalistic work around the world."
"The principles of truthfulness, accuracy and fact-based communications, independence, objectivity, impartiality, fairness, respect for others and public accountability."
"Like many broader ethical systems, the ethics of journalism include the principle of 'limitation of harm'."
"The withholding of certain details from reports, such as the names of minor children, crime victims' names, or information not materially related to the news report where the release of such information might, for example, harm someone's reputation or put them at undue risk."
"There has also been discussion and debate within the journalism community regarding appropriate reporting of suicide and mental health, particularly with regard to verbiage."
"Some journalistic codes of ethics, notably some European codes, also include a concern with discriminatory references in news based on race, religion, sexual orientation, and physical or mental disabilities."
"The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe approved (in 1993) Resolution 1003 on the Ethics of Journalism."
"The principles of truthfulness, accuracy and fact-based communications, independence, objectivity, impartiality, fairness, respect for others, and public accountability."
"These apply to the gathering, editing and dissemination of newsworthy information to the public."
"The principles of truthfulness, accuracy and fact-based communications."
"The principles of... independence, objectivity, impartiality, fairness..."
"The principles of... respect for others and public accountability."
"This may involve enhanced respect for vulnerable groups and the withholding of certain details from reports."
"Like many broader ethical systems, the ethics of journalism include the principle of 'limitation of harm'."
"Some journalistic codes of ethics... include a concern with discriminatory references in news based on race, religion, sexual orientation, and physical or mental disabilities."
"The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe approved (in 1993) Resolution 1003 on the Ethics of Journalism, which recommends that journalists respect the presumption of innocence, in particular in cases that are still sub judice."
"...where the release of such information might, for example, harm someone's reputation or put them at undue risk."
"There has also been discussion and debate within the journalism community regarding appropriate reporting of suicide and mental health, particularly with regard to verbiage."
"Professional journalism associations and individual print, broadcast, and online news organizations."