- The Society of Professional Journalists' website advises journalists to confirm that the facts in the stories they pursue are accurate and objectively presented. This entails thorough fact-checking and ensuring that all views on a subject are reported, the National Public Radio says through its website. It's also important to identify sources whenever possible to confirm their reliability and consider whether anonymous sources may benefit from divulging information, which could call their impartiality into question. Reporters should also give people they report on a chance to respond to accusations or criticism so that readers get both sides of the story.
Reporters are also expected to refrain from acting surreptitiously--by going undercover, for example--to investigate a story unless necessary. If they do, they should discuss it in their coverage, SPJ says. And, of course, they should never pass another's work off as their own. - SPJ and NPR call on reporters to treat all of the subjects of news stories fairly and consistently, and to cover all of those involved, regardless of their background. "Tell the story of the diversity and magnitude of the human experience boldly, even when it is unpopular to do so," SPJ advises. This source also calls on journalists to examine their own cultural values and perspectives to avoid allowing subtle or unintentional bias to distort what they report on and how.
- Journalists have a responsibility to be compassionate toward victims in stories they're covering, especially those who are in mourning, and toward children and those who aren't used to being covered in the press, the SPJ code warns. NPR calls on its reporters to gain parental consent before interviewing a child on sensitive issues or subject matter.
Respecting people's confidentiality is an important ethical requirement, too. Ordinary citizens have more of a right to privacy than public figures, "who seek power, influence or attention. Only an overriding public need can justify intrusion into anyone's privacy," NPR says.
SPJ also calls on reporters to treat colleagues and the general public with respect both in person and in coverage, and not to engage in lurid reporting. They should always hold people in positions of power accountable, too, SPJ adds. - In the interest of impartiality, reporters and their employers should avoid forging close relationships with anyone or any organizations that could benefit them in any way. These include advertisers or potential investors. It also involves public disclosure of their employer's ties to commercial interests, when relevant. For example, NBC explains in stories that mention General Electric that GE owns NBC, so that viewers can be alert to any attempt on NBC's part to favor GE in their news coverage.
Both codes of ethics also call on reporters to turn down favors, gifts, money or services in return for information. Nor should they run for public office or be affiliated with any organization that could bias their coverage. For example, NPR prohibits its reporters from doing any work--such as writing, editing or pubic relations work--for any organization the news service might cover. The news service also forbids reporters from accepting speaking engagements from educational or nonprofit groups that do heavy lobbying or other political activity. - Reporters are expected not to just get the story at any cost, but to take into account the short- and long-term consequences of their actions. The public's "right to know" must be weighed against the potential impact certain revelations could have on public safety or national security, for example. Not every story that can be told, should be.
- SPJ calls on reporters to discuss news coverage with the public it serves and to encourage its feedback, including criticism of the quality of coverage and journalistic practices. They should also publicly acknowledge errors in news coverage or any questionable steps they may have taken to obtain stories.
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