em364709@ohio.edu
The ever-evolving field of journalism can be viewed as a field void of being static with all the constant changes and expansion of platforms to cater to the audience. With this constant fluidity comes uncertainty, leaving room for ethical codes for various niches in the journalism field to develop, change and tailor their expectations accordingly. The question is where do codes of ethics align? As journalists can we align in some shared sets of values across the board, or is there a rigid separation apparent or forming? Looking at the ethics codes from a variety of news media organizations we can see that there may not be a right or wrong answer.
 |
| Image courtesy of laurenkellyjournalism.blogspot.com/. |
Although the organizations we are looking at differed in their specific intended audiences, their ethics codes did see some strong elements of cohesion across the spectrum. Foremost, I think it is important to point out that quite a few of the organizations before delving into the meat of their ethical codes addressed that they have an awareness that the journalism field is changing. ASME, ONA and AAF all set up their ethic code commentaries in this way.
For example, both the ONA and AAF note the “explosion of new technologies,” (AAF) and that the world of journalism is “rapidly changing” (ONA). I think this is an important distinction to point out because it illustrates that those invested in the journalism field are not blind to or trying to ignore that journalism now does not entirely denote what it did a couple of years ago. Journalists are becoming multi-faceted and the accompanying ethics codes are seeing alterations or there is an acknowledgment that alterations to codes will progress with the changing times.
While keeping in mind the susceptibility to change in ethics codes, these examples also show that not every issue can possibly be covered or addressed in a code. For example, the ASME in noting that the media environment is rapidly changing, also points out that “no set of rules can anticipate every issue,” but that the practices mentioned are basic and intended to act as a guide (ASME). There is no umbrella of codes to cover everything. This acknowledgment points to the idea that there are guides in place for those in the journalism industry to follow, but in the end, where the guides stop will be where the individual has to take it upon themselves to fill in the gaps.
There were also some ethical practices that I picked out from the various codes that overlapped, which I think illustrates that although there are differences in profession and pertinence of certain practices, there are still some unifying points underlying the entirety of journalism. For example, the importance of maintaining values such as public trust, accuracy, truth and fairness are practices that were stressed in a large number of the codes. This shows that regardless of the specific sect of journalism that you occupy, some fundamental ideas are meant to apply to all.
Repercussions For
Ethical Violations
Another point I picked up on while reading these codes is the idea of repercussions being in place for code offenders. For example, the ASME monitors violations and points out that “repeated and willful violations” of the guidelines that have been set forth can lead to “public sanction and disqualification from the National Magazine Awards," (ASME). I think this illustrates that there is a desire in the field for everyone to adhere to some of the ethical tenants. By putting it out there that there is a real possibility of potential punishment for breaching ethical codes, it may lead to self-monitoring on an individual level, thus benefiting the field as a whole.
On the other hand, not everyone feels that attempting to enforce code violations is the way to go, which is the case with the SPJ’s ethics code. They note that following their code is a “voluntary” process and that it provides a “framework” to work from (SPJ). Among their reasoning for not being enforcers, they note that it is not easy to enforce. I think their argument also harkens back to the idea of individual responsibility. It often boils down to the individual level, which helps purport the idea that those interested in mass communication should have a pre-vested interest in upholding and developing their own ethical foundations from which to build.
Another point I picked up on while reading these codes is the idea of repercussions being in place for code offenders. For example, the ASME monitors violations and points out that “repeated and willful violations” of the guidelines that have been set forth can lead to “public sanction and disqualification from the National Magazine Awards," (ASME). I think this illustrates that there is a desire in the field for everyone to adhere to some of the ethical tenants. By putting it out there that there is a real possibility of potential punishment for breaching ethical codes, it may lead to self-monitoring on an individual level, thus benefiting the field as a whole.
On the other hand, not everyone feels that attempting to enforce code violations is the way to go, which is the case with the SPJ’s ethics code. They note that following their code is a “voluntary” process and that it provides a “framework” to work from (SPJ). Among their reasoning for not being enforcers, they note that it is not easy to enforce. I think their argument also harkens back to the idea of individual responsibility. It often boils down to the individual level, which helps purport the idea that those interested in mass communication should have a pre-vested interest in upholding and developing their own ethical foundations from which to build.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the overarching idea is that there are some ethical practices that seem to apply to everyone from visual journalists to those in public relations. In the end we can see that ethics codes are guidelines for the field as not every issue is black and white. I think we can also see that although there is bound to be some intersection of values that ethical responsibility falls upon you, the individual, in the end. An example of the intersection of values among platforms and individual ethics interpretation can be seen in a short video clip of journalist Jeff Jarvis and his ideas on journalism ethics.
Ultimately, the overarching idea is that there are some ethical practices that seem to apply to everyone from visual journalists to those in public relations. In the end we can see that ethics codes are guidelines for the field as not every issue is black and white. I think we can also see that although there is bound to be some intersection of values that ethical responsibility falls upon you, the individual, in the end. An example of the intersection of values among platforms and individual ethics interpretation can be seen in a short video clip of journalist Jeff Jarvis and his ideas on journalism ethics.
Video courtesy of Big Think's YouTube.
No comments:
Post a Comment