Ethical Policies in the Media

The media likes to create a "hype" so that you read their papers. You can see this everyday when you check out at the grocery store. They try and dazzle you with bold headlines or shocking pictures to get you to buy their magazine. In order to compare and contrast ethical policy of special interest publications to mainstream new publications lets first look at the standards of professional journalists.

The society of professional journalists puts out a code of ethics to ensure journalistic integrity. There are 4 simple rules. Seek truth and report it, minimize harm, act independently, and be accountable for your actions.

Seeks the Truth and report says it all. What can be plainer about journalistic integrity? Don't distort the facts or misrepresent them to dazzle the public. Identify your sources so the facts are creditable. Also what is important is to give those subjects an opportunity to respond to your story.

Minimize harm; remember that these are real people with real feelings. Know that everyone has a right to a fair trial. Before naming names, be sure the authorities have the right person and correct information. Wait them to release the information to the press. I've seen it so many times that a journalist jump on a story and run their months to a point people are in tears and most of the information is not true. Take the Ramsey case whereby the mother was accused and questioned so many times she had to seek out an attorney.

Act Independently. Avoid conflicts whereby you may be reporting on an organization you are a member of. If you are a member of an organization is sure to let everyone know.

First and foremost everyone makes mistakes, when a mistake is made, admit to it and correct it if possible. Expose unethical practices from your fellow journalists, don't turn a blind eye. Encourage the public to comment on your news stories.

Although we can use the words Ethical and morally almost interchangeable, when it comes to ethics in the law there are two schools of thought. The thought is that the law and ethics govern two different realms, being private and public life. The law is an enforceable rule that applies to everyone, whereas ethics is a matter of personal opinion. However, ethics can also be applies to public life. The other view is that the law embodies the ethics and can be enacted by legislators into laws and enforced by judges.

To compare and contrast how a mainstream news source would differ from a special interest group, I conducted research on the internet by going to some of the more popular newspapers and special interest publications looking for their code of ethics policies. These websites are listed under my reference section. To my demise out of 6 very popular magazine / newspapers, I found only one that was willing to share their code of ethics policies with the world.

After reading over the New York Times "Preserving our readers trust", and "Assuring our Credibility" articles listed on the corporate website for New York Times, I was quite impressed the length this newspaper goes to be sure they report as accurately as possible. This is a statement from their "Assuring their credibility we have a code of professional standards - standards of accuracy, impartial judgment, fairness and accountability - that we take seriously. " This newspaper even has a "Creditability Committee" that researches information in articles written by their newspaper to ensure the quality of their reporting. This newspaper even has an report you can read on how they preserve their integrity and a ethical journalism guidebook which can be found at http://www.nytco.com/press.html .

Trying to compare the New York Times with People magazine ethical policy makes me think that since People magazine doesn't publicize their ethical guidelines that either one their ethical guidelines are not as strict as they should be, or that they don't have corporate guidelines in place that takes the law a step further.

To compare and contrast People Magazine, the Grocery Line Attention getter that I only read while I wait in line and put back before check out occurs, I would believe that People magazine would purchase unwanted "paparazzi" photo's that put people's lives in danger and exploits stars children to the point they can't have a normal life. Whereby, the New York Times won't publish a story without at least two independent people backing up their store.

In conclusion, I would have to say a newspaper like the New York Times is about reporting facts and giving the opinions of their respected reporters whereby a publication like People is about entertaining the consumer.

References:

• Black, Jay and Steele, Robert, 1999 American Society of Newspaper Editors" Media Ethics Codes and Beyond" [Electronic Version] retrieved on August 25, 2006 from http://usinfo.state.gov/journals/itgic/0401/ijge/gj09.htm

• Society of Professional Journalists, 1996 - 2006, "Code of Ethics", retrieved on August 20, 2006 from http://www.spj.org/ethicscode.asp

• Boatright, John R, 2007, "Ethics and the Conduct of Business, Fifth Edition" Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey, 07458

• Websites Reviewed for Ethical Content

• http://people.aol.com/people

• http://www.vogue.com

• http://www.shopetc.com

• http://www.detroitnews.com

• http://www.usatoday.com

• http://www.newyorktimes.com