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Ethics Hotline
Ethics Answers
Ethics Hotline
Thank you for seeking out the Ethics Hotline, which is a tool for journalists looking for help with ethical matters while reporting.
Please take a moment to tell us about yourself.
I am a:
Journalist
Member of the Public
Student
Ethics Hotline: Journalists
Thank you for turning to the Society of Professional Journalists for help with your ethical question. There are frequently no easy answers to ethical questions, but the thoughtful application of the Society's Code of Ethics can usually help shape a better outcome for journalists who are wrestling with thorny ethical issues. The group doesn't promise a quick fix to any problem, but ethics committee members will listen carefully and coach journalists using principles outlined in the Society's Code of Ethics.
To reach the Hotline, please call the number below or send an email to ethics@spj.org with your name and contact information. A member of the Society’s ethics committee will soon be in touch. Please note the hotline is for ethical questions. Members of the committee can’t answer questions about legal issues.
Contact the Ethics Hotline
ethics@spj.org
Ethics Hotline: Members of the Public
Thank you for seeking out the Society of Professional Journalists for information about responsible journalism. The Ethics Hotline is a resource for journalists seeking help during the production of news stories, but we’re also here to help the public encourage responsible journalism.
If you’re upset with a news story you feel is irresponsible or biased, the Society recommends you reach out to the journalist and news organization with your questions. Ethical journalists should explain ethical choices and processes to the public. Additionally, the Society encourages a civil dialogue with the public about journalistic practices, coverage and news content.
Please know the Society is a professional organization, and does not have the power to sanction or reprimand journalists. Also, note that the Society’s Code of Ethics, which can be found here, is not a set of rules. Instead, it’s a guide that encourages all who engage in journalism to be responsible. The Code should be read as a whole, and it is not legally enforceable.
If you are seeking ethical help as a blogger or are working on publishing a news story, please call the number below or email ethics@spj.org.
Contact the Ethics Hotline
ethics@spj.org
Ethics Hotline: Students
Thank you for reaching out to the Society for help on your school assignment or project. Please understand that members of the Society’s ethics committee, who answer the Ethics Hotline, can become overwhelmed when 20 or 30 members of the same class submit questions.
If you are reaching out to the Society for help on a project that was also assigned to your entire class, please ask your teacher or professor to reach out to the chair of the ethics committee to discuss a more suitable arrangement.
On the other hand, if you’re working on a thesis or dissertation, please feel free to email your request to ethics@spj.org. Also, please call the number below or email ethics@spj.org if you’re a student journalist who is facing an ethical dilemma.
Contact the Ethics Hotline
ethics@spj.org
