C

ETHICAL STANDARDS FOR: THE EARNSCLIFFE PRESS CLUB

INTRODUCTION

The Ethical Standards for the Earnscliffe Press Club represents a vision for our practice. At the heart of a virile and effective journalism is a commitment to the truth, fairness and equity. Members of the Earnscliffe Press Club, in their position of trust, demonstrate a high sense of responsibility in their relationships with fellow students, colleagues, school administration, teachers, partners, and the environment.

“Principles for Ethical Journalism”

THE PURPOSE OF THE CODES OF CONDUCT FOR THE PRESS CLUB ARE:

·         To inspire members to reflect and uphold the honour and dignity of the Press Club

·         To guide ethical decisions and actions in the Press Club

·        

To promote public trust and confidence in the Press Club.

ACCURACY

·         Accuracy is imperative in journalism, fact check and verify all facts, this could not be compromised.

·         Retain the original context of all quotations or clips, strive to represent the original tone, editing should not change the original meaning of a statement.

·         When a mistake is made, be it in fact or context, on any platform, correction is made promptly and the nature of the error is acknowledged.

·         Corrections are and apologies are made and broadcast in a consistent way. 

Fairness

·         Rights of people involved in the news are respected.

·         Person’s race, colour, religion, sexual orientation, physical ability are not referred to unless is pertinent to the story.

·         Your own personal biases should not impede fair and accurate reporting, and the right of person’s right to fair trail is respected. 

Transparency

·         You should not conceal your identity, declare yourself as a journalist, particularly when you seek information from a source or through the social media.

·         You may go undercover when is in the public interest, but you declare to your audience.

  Accountability

·         You are accountable to the general public at Earnscliffe for the fairness and reliability of your reporting.

·         You serve the public interest, and put the needs of our audience – readers, listeners or viewers – at the forefront of our newsgathering decisions.

·         You will clearly identify news and opinion so that the audience knows which is which.

·         You do not or attempt to mislead the public by suggesting a reporter is some place that you are not.

·         Photojournalists and videographers do not alter images or sound so that they mislead the public. When you do alter or stage images, you label them clearly (as a photo illustration or a staged video, for example).

Digital media: Special Issues

·         Ethical practice does not change with the medium. You are bound by the above principles no matter where your stories are published or broadcast.

·         All online content are carefully considered, including blogging, and content posted to social media. You do not re-post untrue news or rumours.

·         The need for speed should never compromise accuracy, credibility or fairness. Online content should be reported and edited as carefully as print content, and when possible, subjected to full editing.

·         You will clearly inform sources when stories about them will be published across various media, and you indicate the permanency of digital media.

·         When you publish outside links, we make an effort to ensure the sites are credible; in other words, you think before we link.