This document discusses journalism ethics. It defines ethics as standards of right and wrong that can vary by time, culture and society. Ethics overlap with both religion and law. The Society of Professional Journalists outlines three guidelines for ethics: seek truth and report it, minimize harm, and be accountable. Seeking truth involves verifying facts, identifying sources accurately, and having headlines that reflect contents. Minimizing harm means treating sources with respect and weighing if a story is necessary or voyeurism. Being accountable means realizing the power of media and being open to audience dialogue while maintaining independence.

1. Journalism
Ethics

2. “We Should not just cover the
community we serve but also
serve the community we cover”
-Atty. Pachico Seares

3. What is ethics?
o Comes from the Greek work “ethos”,
which means CHARACTER.
o The Greek philosopher Aristotle
popularized the study of ethics.
o Ethical person =“man of character”
o Someone who does what is right and
what he ought.

4. Today…
o Ethics refer to standards of right and
wrong
Time
Culture
Society

5. o Ethics overlap with religion because
most faiths advocate a set of moral
norms that could even be more
demanding than ethical norms.
o Ethics overlaps with the law because
many laws were created to protect
individuals from unethical actions of
others.

6. Society of Professional
Journalists (SPJ) three-
tiered guideline
1. Seek truth and report it;
2. Minimize harm;
3. Be accountable.

7. Seek truth and report it
Journalist makes sure he is
reporting facts not rumors .
Verify information through
documents or other interviews.
Identify his sources
The headline and lead does not
mislead readers but reflect the
contents of the news story.

8. Seek truth and report it
Editors should check that the story
has no discriminatory elements or
stereotyping by race, ethnicity,
gender, age, religion, or physical
disability

9. Minimize Harm
“Ethical journalists treat sources,
subjects, and colleagues as human
beings deserving or respect”
– SPJ manual

10. Minimize Harm
Not all truths can be reported.
A journalist should weigh his facts
and determine if the story is
necessary for public welfare or if it’s
simply a form of voyeurism into
someone’s private affairs.
Being compassionate with your
sources and those who may be
adversely affected by the news
coverage.

11. Be Accountable
“With great power, comes great
responsibility”
Journalists should realize that
they are accountable to their
audience.
Should be open to dialogue with
their audience.
Accountability also means
independence.