The committee that revised the Society’s Code of Ethics felt the document’s tenets and underlying principles apply to all journalism regardless of how it’s ultimately presented. Still, the committee knew people interested in ethical journalism may benefit from additional guidance from the Society and other people and organizations.
Below are several resources that the Society’s ethics committee compiled to help people with day-to-day decisions. These resources are not formally part of the Code. Also, these lists will grow and change as more resources are found, or as resources become obsolete.
For those people who still have questions, please email the Society’s Ethics Hotline: ethics@spj.org
- Bob Steele writes specifically for Poynter on how to hold the powerful accountable while giving voice to the voiceless. “Reporters must be aggressive yet compassionate; intense yet reflective; skeptical yet open-minded,” he writes.
SOURCE: http://www.poynter.org/news/mediawire/747/holding-the-powerful-accountable-giving-voice-to-the-voiceless/
- This syllabus from the Harvard Kennedy School offers a comprehensive reading list for journalists on covering the U.S. government and politics. The resources include primers on statistics, evaluations of political reporting, how to integrate political science into journalism and much more.
SOURCE: http://journalistsresource.org/syllabi/political-reporting
- Mark Leibovich offers some tips in an interview with Poynter about getting access to political sources, writing and more.
SOURCE: http://www.poynter.org/news/mediawire/274235/5-journalism-tips-from-mark-leibovich/
- Mallary Tenore chronicles for Poynter a discussion with a political reporter on how political reporters can mine social media for tips about politicians and their campaigns.
SOURCE: http://www.poynter.org/uncategorized/2125/abc-and-food-lion-the-ethics-questions/
- The Society’s Ethics Committee writes in a position paper about the political involvement of journalists. “The simplest answer is ‘No,’” according to the Committee. “Don’t do it. Don’t get involved. Don’t contribute money, don’t work in a campaign, don’t lobby, and especially, don’t run for office yourself.”
SOURCE: http://www.spj.org/ethics-papers-politics.asp - FiveThirtyEight examines the urge of many people – including health professionals – to diagnose mental illnesses in public figures without a proper examination.
SOURCE: http://53eig.ht/2uFI80A