Understanding Journalism Ethics in the ‘Fake News’ Era

This file is a work of an employee of the Executive Office of the President of the United States, taken or made as part of that person's official duties. As a work of the U.S. federal government, it is in the public domain.

It’s easy to get disillusioned with the media these days.

After all, we’re living in a time when many cable networks and websites have become glorified political spin rooms and elected officials at the highest levels are routinely calling the motives of honest reporters into question.

But once you get beyond the noise, there are still a lot of legitimate journalists who are working the beat and attempting to report the news with integrity and fairness.

I know this because we work with them daily – and we know that the same rules that governed how Scott and I covered the news back in our reporting days are alive and well today.

These guidelines might appear quaint. But they are highly relevant. Especially today.

Ultimately, these rules are designed to protect you -- since they encourage journalists to be fair and unbiased.

And knowing them can help your organization get the coverage it deserves, especially if you're dealing with a reporter who is covering a sensitive issue. It can also help you set the right expectations when you do something as simple as offer complimentary admission to reporters who are invited to attend an event.

If you're new to media relations -- or you're an experienced hand that needs a refresher -- I recommend taking some time to review the Society of Professional Journalists' Code of Ethics, which should provide you with the background you need to understand the rules of the road.

At the very highest level, the rules are simple. Journalists are obligated to:

• seek and report the truth

• be fair to your sources

• act as the public's watchdog

• avoid any conflicts of interest that would jeopardize their ability to report objectively.

But how does this code actually apply to your work as a communicator?

Check out our blog for a quiz that will test your knowledge of journalism ethics.