SPJ Code of Conduct

Society of Professional Journalists PREAMBLE Members of the Society of Professional Journalists believe that public enlightenment is the forerunner of justice and the foundation of democracy. Ethical journalism strives to ensure the free exchange of information that is accurate, fair and thorough. An ethical journalist acts with integrity. The Society declares these four principles as the foundation of ethical journalism and encourages their use in its practice by all people in all media SEEK TRUTH AND REPORT IT Ethical journalism should be accurate and fair. Journalists should be honest and courageous in gathering, reporting and interpreting information. Journalists should: Take responsibility for the accuracy of their work. Verify information before releasing it. Use original sources whenever possible. Remember that neither speed nor format excuses inaccuracy. Provide context. Take special care not to misrepresent or oversimplifyin promoting, previewing or summarizing a story. Gather, update and correct information throughout the life of a news story. Be cautious when making promises, but keep the promises they make. Identify sources clearly. The public is entitled to as much information as possible to judge the reliability and motivations of sources. Consider sources' motives before promising anonymity. Reserve anonymity for sources who may face danger, retribution or other harm, and have information that cannot be obtained elsewhere.Exlain why anonymity was granted. Diligently seek subjects of news coverage to allow them to respond to criticism or allegations of wrongdoing. Avoid undercover or other surreptitious methods of gathering information unless traditional, open methods will not yield information vital to the public. Be vigilant and courageous about holding those with power accountable.Give voice to the voiceless. Support the open and civil exchange of views, even views they find repugnant. Recognize a special obligation to serve as watchdogs over public affairs and government. Seek to ensure that the public's business is conducted in the open,and that public recors are open to all. Provide access to source material when it is relevant and appropriate. Boldly tell the story of the diversity and magnitude of thehuman experience.Seek sources whose voices we seldom hear. Avoid stereotyping.Journalists should examine the ways their values and experiences may shape their reporting. Label advocacy and commentary. Never deliberately distort facts or context, including visual information.Clearly label illustrations and re-enactments. Never plagiarize. Always attribute. REVISED SEPTEMBER 2014 MINIMIZE HARM Ethical journalism treats sources, subjects, colleagues and members of the public as human beings deserving of respect. Journalists should: Balance the public's need for information against potential harm or discomfort.Pursuit of the news is not a license for arrogance or undue intrusiveness. Show compassion for those who may be affected by news coverage. Use height-ened sensitivity when dealing with juveniles, victims of sex crimes,and sources or subjects who are inexperienced or unable to give consent. Consider cultural differences in approach and treatment. Recognize that legal access to information differs froman ethical justification to publish or broadcast. Realize that private people have a greater right to control information about themselves than public figures and others who seek power, influence or attention.Weigh the consequences of publishing or broadcasting personal information. Avoid pandering to lurid curiosity, even if others do. Balance a suspect's right to a fair trial with the public's right to know. Consider the implications of identifying criminal suspects before they face legal charges. Consider the long-term implications of the extended reach and permanence of publication.Provide updated and more complete information as appropriate. ACT INDEPENDENTLY The highest and primary obligation of ethical journalism is to serve the public. Journalists should: Avoid conflicts of interest, real or perceived. Disclose unavoidable conflicts. Refuse gifts,favors, fees, free travel and special treatment, and avoid political and other outside activities that may compromise integrity or impartiality, or may damage credibility. Be wary of sources offering information for favors or money; do not pay for access to news. Identify content provided by outside sources, whether paid or not. Deny favored treatment to advertisers, donors or any other special interests, and resist internal and external pressure to influence coverage. Distinguish news from advertising and shun hybrids that blur the lines between the two.Prominently label sponsored content. BE ACCOUNTABLE AND TRANSPARENT Ethical journalism means taking responsibility for one's work and explaining one's decisions to the public. Journalists should: Explain ethical choices and processes to audiences. Encourage a civil dialogue with the public about journalistic practices, coverage and news content. Respond quickly to questions about accuracy, clarity and fairness. Acknowledge mistakes and correct them promptly and prominently. Explain corrections and clarifications carefully and clearly. Expose unethical conduct in journalism, including within their organizations. Abide by the same high standards they expect of others. The SPJ Code of Ethics is a statement of abiding principles supported by additional explanations and position papers (at spj.org) that address chang-ing journalistic practices. It is not a set of rules, rather a guide that encour-ages all who engage in journalism to take responsibility for the information they provide,regardless of medium. The code should be read as a whole;individual principles should not be taken out of context. It is not, nor can it be under the First Amendment, legally enforceable. CONTACT THE SOCIETY Society of Professional Journalists Eugene S.Pulliam National Journalism Center 3909 N. Meridian St. ·Indianapolis, IN 46208-4011 317.927.8000·[email protected] (email)·spj.org(Web)

Code of Conduct for the journalist

Ever before the release of the Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics that guides the press worldwide, the Nigerian Press Organization Code of Conduct became operational under the watch of Alhaji Lateef Jakande, President of the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN), Chief Chris Okolie, President, Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), and Chief Michael Asaju, President, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the three most powerful organs that supervise the conduct of practicing journalists in Nigeria, for instance.

It states:

Preamble

1. Abuse of the rights of the press are punishable by law. Indeed, the law of libel, civil as well as criminal and the law of contempt, deal adequately with such abuse.

2. Any abuse of the rights of the press, therefore, cannot be the objective of declaration

3. But experience has shown many lapses in the practice of the profession and it has for long become apparent that a code of conduct must be established as among practicing journalists themselves, if they must fulfil their true functions, and if the standard below which journalists may not be expected to fall, maybe laid down

It is in pursuance of these objectives that we hereby solemnly declare:

1. That the public is entitled to the truth and that only correct information can form the basis for sound journalism and ensure the confidence of the people

2. That it is the moral duty of every journalist to have respect for the truth and to publish or prepare for publication only the truth and to the best of his knowledge

3. That it is the duty of the journalist to publish only facts; never to suppress such facts as he knows; never to falsify either to suit his purposes or any other purposes

4. That it is the duty of the journalist to refuse any rewards for publishing or suppressing news or comments, other than salary and allowances legitimately earned in the discharge of his professional duties

5. That the journalist shall employ all legitimate means in the collection news and he shall defend at all times the right to free access, provided due regard his paid to the privacy of individuals.

6. That once information has been collected and published a journalist shall observe the universally accepted principle of secrecy and shall not disclose the source of information obtain in confidence

7. That it is the duty of the journalist to regard plagiarism as unethical

8. That it is the duty of every journalist to correct any published information found to be incorrect

Signed

Alhaji Lateef Jakande, President, (NPAN

Chief Chris Okolie, President, (NGE

Chief Michael Asaju, President, (NUJ

Now compare this and make up your mind if really you are ready to practice the noble profession and stand by the ethics and code of conduct- The Hippocratic Oath which forbids the journalist from bending the rules to suit him

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