SPJ Missions
Ethics
SPJ's Ethics Committee's purpose is to encourage the use of the Society's Code of Ethics, which promotes the highest professional standards for journalists of all disciplines. Public concerns are often answered by this committee. It also acts as a spotter for reporting trends in the nation, accumulating case studies of jobs well done under trying circumstances.
– Ethics Blogs and Position Papers
– What is ethical journalism and why is it important?
– What do journalists do and who are they?
– Ethical journalism looks like this
– What can you do?
– Learn about secure places to leak information
– Buy the latest ethics textbook
– Host an ethics program, contact our experts and more
– #PressForEthics
– Read ethics case studies
This collection of position papers, produced by the Society of Professional Journalists’ Ethics Committee, is intended to clarify SPJ’s position on specific ethical themes that frequently arise in journalism, and also to provide better guidance for journalists, academics, students and the public when consulting the SPJ Code of Ethics.
The following papers are available for immediate reference, with more — on using anonymous sources, undercover reporting, dealing with victims of tragedy, handling diversity coverage, privacy and news media accountability — to release over the coming months:
Newly Added:
— Reporting on Grief, Tragedy and Victims
— Anonymous Sources
— Accountability
Also Available:
— Using the SPJ Code
— Plagiarism
— Checkbook Journalism
— Political Involvement
For journalism instructors and others interested in presenting ethical dilemmas for debate and discussion, SPJ has a useful resource. We've been collecting a number of case studies for use in workshops. The Ethics AdviceLine operated by the Chicago Headline Club and Loyola University also has provided a number of examples. There seems to be no shortage of ethical issues in journalism these days. Please feel free to use these examples in your classes, speeches, columns, workshops or other modes of communication.
— Index
— Using the ‘Holocaust’ Metaphor
— Aaargh! Pirates! (and the Press)
— Reigning on the Parade
— Controversy over a Concert
— Deep Throat, and His Motive
— When Sources Won’t Talk
— A Suspect “Confession”
— Who’s the “Predator”?
— The Media’s Foul Ball
— Publishing Drunk Drivers’ Photos
— Naming Victims of Sex Crimes
— A Self-Serving Leak
— The Times and Jayson Blair
— Cooperating with the Government
— Offensive Images
— The Sting
— A Media-Savvy Killer
— A Congressman’s Past
— Crafting a Policy
Have a dilemma? Our experts are standing by. Get your questions answered here.
— Frequently Asked Questions
— Ethics Hotline Information
Quill: Stories About Journalism Ethics
– 10 lessons in journalism ethics
– Journalism’s complicated relationship with transparency
– Sinclair’s ‘teachable moment’ raises even more questions
– Sinclair’s mandates threaten independent, local journalism
Related Articles: Ethics
See archive for more articles
Quill
– 10 lessons in journalism ethics
– Journalism’s complicated relationship with transparency
– Sinclair’s ‘teachable moment’ raises even more questions
– Sinclair’s mandates threaten independent, local journalism
– To regain trust, journalists should tell our own story
SPJ News
– SPJ Letter to the Editor in support of free press
– Veteran journalist Rod Hicks named SPJ’s first Journalist on Call
– SPJ announces 2017 Mark of Excellence Award winners
– SPJ is making it crystal clear: Ethical Journalism Matters
– SPJ: LA Weekly ownership should reveal identity
– The Arizona Republic receives SPJ New America Award for Navajo Housing project
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