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These are slides for my session on journalism ethics at the Excellence in Journalism conferences. They place the consideration of revisions to the Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics into the context of the broader discussion of journalism ethics.
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The Broader Ethics Discussion
Steve ButtrySociety of Professional Journalists
Sept. 6, 2014
Slides, links & more• stevebuttry.wordpress.com• slideshare.net/stevebuttry• @stevebuttry• [email protected]
SPJ Code of Ethics• Surely you know about this• First update since 1996• Final draft due for vote today, 3-5 p.m.• Progress but I’m disappointed• Thanks to Ethics Committee for work on
revision
Guiding Principles for the Journalist
• Edited by Kelly McBride & Tom Rosenstiel• Core values used to be truth,
independence, minimizing harm• Now: Truth, transparency, community• Book: Mostly philosophical essays rather
than detailed journalistic guidance
ONA DIY “building blocks”• Collaboration led by Tom Kent• Committee wrote drafts, then
crowdsourced editing• Spells out core agreements: Tell the
truth, avoid conflicts, don’t plagiarize …• Recognizes differing approaches on
impartiality & point of view, other issues
Plagiarism/Fabrication• Followed 2012’s “Summer of Sin”• Several journalism groups collaborated• Writing led by William Connolly• Ebook and “summit” at ACES 2013• Defines plagiarism, advice on prevention,
detection & response• RJI’s most-downloaded ebook
Why linking is ethical• Best form of attribution in digital
platforms• Provides depth• Provides context• Shows your work• Lack of links can be a red flag
Verification Handbook• Project of European Journalism Centre• Edited by Craig Silverman• Not just for journalists• Specific how-to chapters (& case studies)
on crowdsourcing, verifying images, video, UGC, etc.
Rules of the Road• Published by J-Lab• Written by Scott Rosenberg• Focuses on local news startups• Recognizes involvement in community by
some local journalists• Chapters on police reports, privacy,
advocacy, corrections & revisions, etc.
More ethics discussion
More ethics discussion
More discussion• Reuters Institute for the Study of
Journalism• Ethics symposia: University of Colorado,
Washington & Lee • Jay Rosen: “view from nowhere,” “he-
said-she-said” stories• Other individual voices?
Still excellent guidance• Bob Steele’s 10 questions to guide ethical
decisions• Published by Poynter in 2002• A process, not principles• Applies to any platform or situation• Applies to objective or point-of-view
journalism
Steele’s 10 Questions1. What do I know?
Need to know?2. What’s journalistic
purpose?3. Ethical concerns?4. What do policies &
guidelines say?5. Involve others?
6. Stakeholders?7. How would I feel?8. Consequences?9. Alternatives?10.How can I justify to
colleagues? Stakeholders? Public?
Slides, links & more• stevebuttry.wordpress.com• slideshare.net/stevebuttry• @stevebuttry• [email protected]
