The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) Code of Ethics
The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) has laid down guidelines for journalism conduct which deal with several ethical issues associated with the profession. The most outstanding code of ethics is about truthfulness which requires journalists to use original sources and verify information before releasing it to the public. Overall, the code of ethics and practice serve to help journalist safeguard themselves from falling into the many pits that various parties who are seeking publicity lay. For instance, the code requires reporters to consider the motive of a source before granting anonymity. Sometimes, it can be hard to establish the motivation of a source unless the journalist is also a professional psychotherapist. This essay reviews the SPJ code of ethics to establish the pitfalls, its successes and its applicability.
Primary Categories of SPJ Code of Ethics
The SPJ code of ethics falls into four primary categories including; Truth and accuracy, accountability and transparency, harm minimization and independence ("SPJ Code of Ethics", 2014). Truth and accuracy require journalists to; use original sources, verify information, avoid misrepresentation, make a clear identification of sources, seek subjects mentioned in a story to respond and avoid using surreptitious methods of gathering information unless the data can only be obtained undercover and it is a matter of public interest. Apart from that, journalists are supposed to avoid stereotyping, be ready to provide access to the source of information and avoid plagiarism among others ("SPJ Code of Ethics", 2014). On minimizing harm, the code requires journalists to give fair and balanced information to the public, show compassion for the affected and respect people's privacy when gathering and disseminating information ("SPJ Code of Ethics", 2014). On independence, the code of ethics insists on the refusal of bribes and gifts, avoiding sources that give information in exchange for money, denying favored treatment to donors, proprietors and advertisers and distinguishing news from advertising ("SPJ Code of Ethics", 2014). Accountability and transparency compel journalists to explain ethical choices to the public, give quick responses to questions on accuracy, fairness and clarity as well as acknowledge mistakes and corrects them. Others include exposing unethical conduct in journalism and abiding by high standards of practice ("SPJ Code of Ethics", 2014).
Pitfalls of SPJ Code of Ethics
The journalism profession is a very tricky one considering the neutral position that journalists are supposed to take yet they are also human beings belonging to specific communities within the society. The SPJ code of ethics emphasizes on significant elements that make the journalism profession respectable. However, the code fails to mention some specifics regarding truth and accuracy. Buttry, (2014) argues that the code does not directly reprove the presentation of opposing accounts without giving the audience the final resolution. Apart from that, the code does not compel journalists to avoid quoting anonymous sources because it presents complications in attributing a source that is already unnamed (Buttry, 2014). The principles outlined by SPJ are also more concerned with the production standards than moral codes for behavior (Davenport, 1990). More emphasis should be given to the minimize harm, and independence categories because journalists' lack of independence is what causes harm to many people.
Ethical Dilemmas in Journalism
The conflicts that are highly likely to arise in journalism practice is when a journalist is asked to cover a story that goes against his or her personal moral code. An excellent example is the requirement to publish names and photos of individuals convicted of drunk driving. While the truth and accuracy practice is believed to help reduce the harm caused by drunk driving, publishing the names and pictures of the convicts causes them psychological harm. Should I find myself facing an ethical dilemma related to my moral code, I would pick the most relevant ethical ideology and apply it. For example, in the case mentioned here, I would use the situationlist ideology that rejects the moral rules and publish the names as well as photos of the drunk drivers if studies have proven that doing so would help minimize drunk driving (Hanitzsch, 2009).
Challenges of Following the SPJ Code of Ethics
I believe I can easily comply with almost all the principles of the SPJ code of ethics. However, the independence requirement will be difficult for me to follow because every employee has to act in the interest of the employer. No journalist wants to move from one media house to another because he or she cannot abide by the house rules. If these dilemmas occur, I will be informing the editors about the challenges of disseminating information about an advertiser or the media house owner that is deemed injurious and ask for guidance on the way forward. I would also suggest to drop the story altogether and leave journalists from other media houses to fulfill the duty of informing the public. Ward, (2008) explains that the pillars of objectivism and truth have worn out because of the emergence of profit-seeking news organizations. Journalists too are seeking income from those news organizations, and they would not want to be part of the process that reduces their employer's revenue earnings.
References
Buttry, S. (2014). New SPJ Code of Ethics: an improvement but a disappointment. The Buttry Diary. Retrieved 24 February 2018, from https://stevebuttry.wordpress.com/2014/09/08/new-spj- code-of-ethics-an-improvement-but-a-disappointment/
Davenport, D. (1990) "A question of journalism ethics," Syracuse Scholar (1979-1991): Vol. 10: Iss. 1, Article 9. Available at: http://surface.syr.edu/suscholar/vol10/iss1/9
Ethical Ethical Ideologies Ideologiesin Journalism: Journalism: A Psychological Psychological Approach and Evidence Evidence from a Cross‐National National Survey. (2009). Eichstaett, Germany. Retrieved from http://www.ku- eichstaett.de/fileadmin/1303/Downloads/Hanitzsch.pdf
SPJ Code of Ethics - Society of Professional Journalists. (2014). Spj.org. Retrieved 24 February 2018, from https://www.spj.org/ethicscode.asp
Ward, S. (2008). Journalism Ethics (pp. 295-309). Retrieved from https://www.supportuw.org/wp- content/uploads/wwa_2010_ward_journalism.pdf
