Code of Ethics: Consistency and Uniqueness

By Cassidy Selep
cs743115@ohio.edu

It is not unusual for organizations within the communications world to have a code of ethics. The Radio Television Digital News Association, Society of Professional Journalists and Public Relations Society of America have all created their own code of ethics that they believe their members should uphold.

Although the codes of these organizations are all different, there are many similar ideas within all of them; they have their own ideas that are expressed differently. For example, one of the RTDNA's points in their code of ethics is "truth and accuracy above all." This basic idea is also an aspect of SPJ's code of ethics (seek truth and report it) and PRSA's code of ethics (free flow of information).

Another basic idea that is incorporated into many organization's code of ethics is to be transparent. RTDNA phrases the idea as "independence and transparency;" SPJ phrases it as "be accountable and transparent;" PRSA phrases it as "disclosure of information." These two ideas are consistent among codes of ethics because without them, the communication business would be seen as untrustworthy more than ever.

One of the more unique code of ethics was from the National Press Photographers Association. Its code of ethics, reasonably, was directed toward visual journalists. I found this code of ethics the most interesting because I was a visuals editor in high school.

Although the code of ethics is aimed toward visual journalists, there were a few points that were similar to other communication organization's code of ethics. The first point in NPPA's code of ethics is to be accurate and comprehensive. This fits in with SPJ's idea of seeking the truth. A further idea in NPPA's code of ethics is to not accept gifts. This is universally true for all communication organizations' code of ethics. It is one of the first things taught to students at university. 

One of NPPA's ideas that stuck out to me was their fourth point: "Treat all subjects with respect and dignity. Give special consideration to vulnerable subjects and compassion to victims of crime or tragedy. Intrude on private moments of grief only when the public has an overriding and justifiable need to see."

This reminded me of Pulitzer Prize winner Todd Heisler. I had the opportunity to meet with Heisler a few years ago because he is from my hometown. Heisler was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in Feature Photography in 2006 for his documentation of military death in Iraq. This photograph is his most familiar photograph from his album:

Photo courtesy of Todd Heisler

I remember discussing this idea of treating subjects with respect-- especially victims of crime or tragedy-- with Heisler. He told a story about one of the photographs he took for this project. He said that during that moment-- a moment of great grief for the subject-- he only took one photograph. He knew it was a great opportunity for the picture, but he also knew that he needed to respect the subject. He took that one photograph, and then he witnessed the rest of the event as a person rather than a photographer.

Since then, I have had a greater awareness of respecting my subjects. It is important to remember that your subjects are humans, and that you are a human. Sometimes it is best to take a step back from your job and be human.