A message from our blog’s founder, Erica Schlaikjer:
As a trained journalist, I think it is important for the ResponsibleChina team to abide by certain journalistic principles when writing for this blog, even if most of our posts are merely summaries of other people’s work, rather than original reporting of our own. Eventually, we intend to include regularly scheduled podcasts and video clips and other storytelling features, in which case, the ethics of journalism will most certainly come into play.
While online media do not necessarily adhere to the traditional standards of print journalism, we will still do our best to uphold ethics of honesty, accuracy, fairness, transparency and responsible newsgathering. Our goal is to deliver content with integrity.
Below are some resources and codes that we will consult as we venture into the world of blogging.
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From The Poynter Institute:
“What Bloggers Can Learn From Journalists”
“What Journalists Can Learn From Bloggers“
By Steve Outing
Online Journalism Ethics: Guidelines from the Conference
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From “The Elements of Journalism,” by Bill Kovach and Tom Rosenstiel:
PRINCIPLES OF JOURNALISM
1. Journalism’s first obligation is to the truth
2. Its first loyalty is to citizens
3. Its essence is a discipline of verification
4. Its practitioners must maintain an independence from those they cover
5. It must serve as an independent monitor of power
6. It must provide a forum for public criticism and compromise
7. It must strive to make the significant interesting and relevant
8. It must keep the news comprehensive and proportional
9. Its practitioners must be allowed to exercise their personal conscience
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From Cyberjournalist.net, as adapted from the Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics:
Be Honest and Fair
Bloggers should be honest and fair in gathering, reporting and interpreting information.
Bloggers should:
Never plagiarize.
Identify and link to sources whenever feasible. The public is entitled to as much information as possible on sources’ reliability.
Make certain that Weblog entries, quotations, headlines, photos and all other content do not misrepresent. They should not oversimplify or highlight incidents out of context.
Never distort the content of photos without disclosing what has been changed. Image enhancement is only acceptable for for technical clarity. Label montages and photo illustrations.
Never publish information they know is inaccurate — and if publishing questionable information, make it clear it’s in doubt.
Distinguish between advocacy, commentary and factual information. Even advocacy writing and commentary should not misrepresent fact or context.
Distinguish factual information and commentary from advertising and shun hybrids that blur the lines between the two.
Minimize Harm
Ethical bloggers treat sources and subjects as human beings deserving of respect.
Bloggers should:
Show compassion for those who may be affected adversely by Weblog content. Use special sensitivity when dealing with children and inexperienced sources or subjects.
Be sensitive when seeking or using interviews or photographs of those affected by tragedy or grief.
Recognize that gathering and reporting information may cause harm or discomfort. Pursuit of information is not a license for arrogance.
Recognize that private people have a greater right to control information about themselves than do public officials and others who seek power, influence or attention. Only an overriding public need can justify intrusion into anyone’s privacy.
Show good taste. Avoid pandering to lurid curiosity.
Be cautious about identifying juvenile suspects, victims of sex crimes and criminal suspects before the formal filing of charges.
Be Accountable
Bloggers should:
Admit mistakes and correct them promptly.
Explain each Weblog’s mission and invite dialogue with the public over its content and the bloggers’ conduct.
Disclose conflicts of interest, affiliations, activities and personal agendas.
Deny favored treatment to advertisers and special interests and resist their pressure to influence content. When exceptions are made, disclose them fully to readers.
Be wary of sources offering information for favors. When accepting such information, disclose the favors.
Expose unethical practices of other bloggers.
Abide by the same high standards to which they hold others.
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