Ethical Principles of Journalism

Module - 1: Ethics in Journalism and Media
Part - A: Ethical Principles in Journalism and Media
Introduction
Journalism and media are closely related fields that involve the creation, distribution,
and consumption of information. Journalism refers specifically to the practice of gathering,
analyzing, and reporting news and information to a wide audience, while media
encompasses a broader range of communication channels, including television, radio,
newspapers, magazines, social media, and other online platforms. Both fields play a crucial
role in shaping public opinion and providing citizens with the information they need to make
informed decisions about their lives and communities. Ethical principles are an important
consideration in journalism and media, as they help to ensure that the information presented
is accurate, fair, and unbiased.
News and Journalism

‘Journalism’ derives from the French word journal. The distinguishing factor between
a journalist and other writers is that the former writes for the public, which in modern times
translates into the idea of the public interest, more often than not defined by news
organizations. Non-journalists, if I can use that term, also select, omit and deceive, and are
rarely objective in their everyday accounts, and in doing so all reduce news of events to a
bare minimum; we all self-edit, sometimes conveniently so. Journalists have been criticized
for doing something similar, that is, reducing news to convenient sound bites, not being
objective, or not providing a full and truthful account of news.
Newspapers developed initially as extensions of other forms of communication, such
as verbal exchanges and were indeed necessities to fulfil appetites for news; perhaps the
only real difference that emerged with the development of newspapers and journalism as a
social practice was specialization and power. On one important level, news is intrinsically
connected to journalist productivity; on another broader plain, news is everywhere In this
context news to journalistic activity is a central concern to a discourse in media ethics
because the focus is on how news is produced and for what purpose, and this is premised
on the privileged position that journalists and news organizations occupy and their ability to
distribute news across time and space. News is largely perceived as ‘information on recent
events.’
Moreover, people have and continue to produce news relating to personal, working
and family lives. This shared social system is referred to as ‘oral culture’ where a community
of speakers, coordinate information through the spoken word. The roots of our journalism lie
in such methods, but, residues of oral culture continue to exist throughout the world.
Historically, oral cultures used memory to solidify tradition, customs and spoken narrative,
and without print, oral culture was pure; with the introduction of print, oral culture was diluted
but not annihilated. Print may condition oral culture in the modern context; that is a
probability.
Truth-telling and Objectivity in Journalism

Truth-telling is a fundamental principle in journalism, and it is often considered the
priority for journalists. The pursuit of truth involves gathering facts, conducting reporting, and
presenting accurate and truthful news to the public. Journalists must balance truth-telling
with other requirements of their profession, such as independence, fairness, and accuracy.
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However, the concept of objectivity, which suggests that journalists should be completely
neutral, has been challenged by some journalists and scholars who argue that it is an
unrealistic ideal and can lead to a lack of diversity and representation in news coverage.
‘Truth’ has never been harder to define because information comes to us quickly from
all over the globe, overwhelming our ability to sort out ‘the truth. Despite the debate over
objectivity, most journalists still value truth-telling and consider it their primary obligation. This
value is shared by both traditional journalists who seek to maintain a dispassionate approach
and those who question traditional journalistic norms and advocate for social justice. The
importance of truth-telling in journalism is also reflected in the education of journalists, as
evidenced by the core principles proposed by John Pavlik, which include the pursuit of truth
as the first principle.
Concerning what defines journalism, it’s clear that method is integral to
newsgathering practices and production; however, there are different perspectives on how to
achieve this. The most popularly discussed method and perhaps the most controversial is
objectivity, and there are just as many detractors as there are supporters of objective
reporting. Objective reporting is a desirable ethical value and is seen as a means for
achieving truth. The discussion on objectivity and truth profoundly impacts both the meaning
and purpose of journalism and news. Moreover, they impact upon the validity of news and
journalism, for it’s reasonable to argue that if objectivity isn’t applied in the newsgathering
process then how can an event be justified as news once we assume that news differs from
both gossip and opinion? Truth is also perceived as a desirable ethical value and is seen as
an end goal developed by methodological rigour, for once subjective opinion fuses with facts
then truth has become infected.
Establishing truth occasionally entails degrees and variations of representation that
form the essence of mediation through language or visual imagery. Representation can be
false, true, seriously impaired, constructed by accident or even incompetence. A true
representation adheres to the correspondence theory of truth; one that is faithful to objective
conditions and that is verifiable by investigative inquiry. False representations of truth can be
the product of value judgments, opinions, and stereotypes that distort information
deliberately or otherwise. They can be the result of deliberate bias that seeks to set an
ideological public agenda and manipulate public opinion.
The main reason given for the desirability of objective accounts of news is based on
the idea that truth is the ultimate aim of journalism. Regardless of whether one is driven by
religious belief, we all live in a society that requires solid functioning and one important
element that enables society to function properly is, to tell the truth, for truth ‘allows society
to function’, stating further that the journalist’s primary obligation is, to tell the truth.
Objectivity in journalism is a concept that has been debated for decades. Journalistic
objectivity refers to fairness, disinterestedness, and factuality, and it has been a significant
aspect of journalistic professionalism since the 18th century. Objectivity in journalism is
meant to portray issues and events in a neutral and unbiased manner, regardless of the
writer's opinion or personal beliefs. However, critics argue that objectivity is an unrealistic
ideal and can lead to a lack of diversity and representation in news coverage.
Maintaining objectivity in reporting is a crucial skill for modern journalists. Objectivity
in journalism refers to the practice of presenting news stories in a neutral and unbiased
manner, regardless of the writer's opinion or personal beliefs. Objectivity starts with thorough
research. Journalists must gather information from multiple sources, verify facts, and
cross-check the accuracy of their findings. By conducting extensive research, reporters can
present a well-rounded view of the subject matter.
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Objectivity involves separating personal opinions, biases, and prejudices from the
reporting process, allowing the facts to speak for themselves. Journalists must critically
analyze information and evaluate its credibility. They must be able to identify biases, hidden
agendas, and misinformation, separating them from objective facts. Conducting interviews is
a crucial part of reporting. Journalists must ask probing questions, listen actively, and remain
objective during interviews. By eliciting diverse viewpoints and opinions, reporters can
provide a comprehensive representation of the topic at hand.
In a democratic society, truth-telling and objectivity are fundamental principles in
media play a crucial role in holding governments, institutions, and individuals accountable for
their actions. Through accurate reporting, investigative journalism, and fact-checking, the
media acts as a watchdog, uncovering truths that might otherwise remain hidden. This
accountability function is essential for the proper functioning of a democracy, preventing
abuses of power and fostering transparency.

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Module - 1: Ethics in Journalism and Media

Part - A: Ethical Principles in Journalism and Media

News and Journalism

Truth-telling and Objectivity in Journalism

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