The document outlines ethical guidelines for journalists regarding what they can and cannot do in their work. It discusses that journalists can print the truth, report others' comments, publish opinions, protect sources, and use quotations with attribution. However, they cannot fabricate information, print untruths, report information agreed to be off the record, record without permission, use words without quotation marks and attribution, or steal information. Journalists should double check facts, consider how subjects would feel, cover a diversity of topics without stereotypes, and avoid conflicts of interest or publishing without consent. Libel involves false and defamatory statements that are published about identifiable people with negligence or malice. The SPJ Code of Ethics guides journalists to

1. cm 1 35 l an introduction to journalism
Press Law & Ethics:
What Journalists Can and Can’t/Should and Shouldn’t Do
FALL 2012 B RUCE C LARY , I NSTRUCTOR

2. cm 1 35 l an introduction to journalism
What journalists can do.
•Print the truth. (The big umbrella.)
•Accurately report slanderous, libelous comments made
by others.
•Publish critical opinions (but not on news pages).
•Protect the identity of sources (in most cases).
•Use others’ words--enclosed in quotation marks and
properly attributed.
FALL 2012 B RUCE C LARY , I NSTRUCTOR

3. cm 1 35 l an introduction to journalism
What journalists can’t do.
•Make stuff up.
•Knowingly write and print untruths.
•Print untruths due to carelessness or negligence.
•Report stuff that you agreed was “off the record.”
•Tape conversations without interviewee’s permission.
•Use others’ words without enclosing them in quotation
marks and attributing them.
•Steal information or acquire it by deception.
FALL 2012 B RUCE C LARY , I NSTRUCTOR

4. cm 1 35 l an introduction to journalism
What journalists should do.
•Double-check facts. Write nothing that you aren’t sure is
true.
•Put yourself in your subject’s shoes. What would you
want to have published about you?
•Cover the diversity of your community and readership.
•Avoid stereotypes.
FALL 2012 B RUCE C LARY , I NSTRUCTOR

5. cm 1 35 l an introduction to journalism
What journalists shouldn’t do.
•Accept any gifts or favors from subjects of stories.
•Write about subjects with which you have even indirect
connections.
•Print stories about persons who haven’t been contacted
and asked for their side.
•Offend your readership by unnecessarily printing
tasteless or vulgar words or images.
•Make mistakes. One of the worst? Misspelling a name.
FALL 2012 B RUCE C LARY , I NSTRUCTOR

6. cm 1 35 l an introduction to journalism
What constitutes libel?
•Libelous statements must be false.
•Libelous statements must be defamatory.
•Libelous statements must be published.
•Plaintiffs must be identifiable.
•The statement must be the result of negligence or
malice (knowing you’re lying or disregarding the truth).
See Harrower 144-45
FALL 2012 B RUCE C LARY , I NSTRUCTOR

7. cm 1 35 l an introduction to journalism
The SPJ Code of Ethics
•Seek truth and report it.
•Minimize harm.
•Act independently.
•Be accountable.
See Harrower 153
FALL 2012 B RUCE C LARY , I NSTRUCTOR