jp888711@ohio.edu
Throughout the last 20 years, journalism as a profession has undergone a transformation that has paved the way for a new set of moral codes and ethical boundaries. In an age where nearly everyone with a computer and access to the internet can have a platform to express their version of "news", professional journalists must hold themselves to a higher standard in order to garner trust from the public. Many journalists may look at the situation as having extra competition, but the realities of today's access to producing and consuming news also provides an opportunity to separate those trained in the business from the rest of the information being put out on a daily basis. Recent poll results suggests a downward trend in public trust in journalists, and many professionals blame the citizen journalists for this trend. However, when trust is low, there is an opportunity to pave the way for the generation that can bring this public trust back to where it should be.
Truth and Accuracy
When listing the criteria that is necessary for an effective journalist, truth and accuracy are paramount. This is reflected in the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) code of ethics. However, as closely linked as these two words are, recognizing the difference between truth and accuracy is a major factor in separating good reporting from questionable reporting. Accuracy is easily measured. Facts can be checked, names and dates can be researched, and painting an accurate picture of the events being reported is often black and white and the story is either correct or incorrect. Truth deals with the grey area that is often called into question. Citizen "journalists" do not have an obligation to the truth in a professional sense. There are no repercussions to fabricating or embellishing a story to make it a more interesting read. However, for professionals, it is essential to report everything accurately without omitting or adding anything that changes the perception of the story. Perhaps it is the intense competition in the field that has led some away from this strict ethical code in order to attract consumers or simply complacency in their work. As a profession that is struggling to regain the trust of the public, journalists have an obligation to themselves as well as others in the business to be thorough. To summarize, in a journalistic sense, truth means giving the public the information that can be verified by the facts, cannot be questioned, and tells the entire story as thoroughly as possible.
Accountability
In any profession or sector of business, mistakes are going to be made. Being accountable for any mistakes is of utmost importance for journalists. Perhaps it is not only false reporting that has caused the decline in public trust but also the lack of accountability that news outlets display. When a mistake is made, making it known is often the first step in repairing the damage. The only thing worse than making a mistake in reporting a story is making a mistake and trying to cover it up. Inevitably, someone will find out the truth and will attach a lack of credibility to the individual, as well as the company, for not taking responsibility for the mistakes. As an institution, journalists must hold each other accountable so that the public does not have to.
In conclusion, the opportunity for journalists to regain the trust of the public is one that must be seized by a new generation of better informed professionals who carry with them a high ethical code. When it appears that this ethical code is not being upheld, fellow journalists should be the one enforcing the issue, not the public. In a self-governing business, responsibility and accountability are the cornerstones of success. A lack of either of the two affects not only the journalist in question but everyone else who relies on the trust of the public. This trust can be regained as long as the vast majority in the profession can hold both themselves, as well as their colleagues, to the highest standard of truth, accuracy, and accountability.
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