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7: Being an Ethical Journalist

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    The sole aim of journalism should be service. The newspaper is a great power, but just as an unchained torrent of water submerges the whole countryside and devastates crops, even so an uncontrolled pen serves but to destroy.

    This quote by Mahatma Gandhi11 summarises the ethical responsibilities journalists have – service to the public, in a responsible way.

    For journalists, the most basic responsibility in a free society is to report the news accurately and fairly, i.e., to practise ethical journalism. In postcolonial societies, such as South Africa, there is also a feeling among many journalists that they should be socially responsible and help with nation building (Rodny-Gumede, 2018).

    Ethics is a system of principles that guides action. While the law establishes what you can and cannot do in a given situation, ethics tell you what you should do. Ethical decisions are based on values – personal, professional, social, and moral – and spring from reasoning. Ethical decision-making simply means applying these values in your daily work (Potter, 2006).

    Ethical lapses do occur in journalism. For example, in the past, journalists have invented information; editors or journalists have accepted payments from sources in return for positive stories; news organisations have published sensationalist news for the sake of clicks and sales; news organisations have published personal information about people that is not in the public interest; news organisations have published false stories fed to them by sources who were trying to influence public opinion.

    Additional Readding

    Sadly, there have been many examples of major ethical lapses by journalists in South Africa in recent years. These lapses always lead to a loss of trust in the media. This is why it is important for journalists to always maintain ethical standards; it is necessary to maintain and re-build the trust of the public. You can read about the SARS “rogue unit” scandal and the ethical lapses that occurred in journalism in this article from the Daily Maverick and also here from The Odyssey. You can read about a journalist who published fake news about a mother from Tembisa who allegedly gave birth to decuplets (ten babies) here. The story was not true and not properly verified. Another journalist was accused of accepting money from South African crime intelligence.

    When ethical lapses happen, the public has a right to question what appears in the news media. Ethical lapses also lead to a loss of trust in the media. This harms journalism. All journalists, and all news organisations, suffer when journalists behave unethically because such behaviour calls the entire profession’s credibility into question. Journalism should not be only about chasing clicks and money but should be practised in an ethical way, in the public interest, for the good of society.

    • 7.1: Ethical Principles
      This page outlines the principles of ethical journalism, emphasizing the importance of accuracy, independence, fairness, humanity, and accountability. It highlights the necessity for journalists to avoid fabrication and plagiarism, respect privacy, and handle vulnerable groups sensitively. The page also discusses the right of reply and the protection of identities of minors and victims.
    • 7.2: Ethics Codes and Laws
      This page covers ethical journalism in South Africa, focusing on the South African Press Code, the legal protections for freedom of expression, and the media's responsibilities to uphold truthfulness and respect diverse perspectives. It discusses the South African Press Council and Press Ombud's roles in managing unethical practices and provides guidelines for online conduct, emphasizing the importance of ethical decision-making, especially regarding graphic or controversial content.
    • 7.3: Legal Issues
      This page explores global press freedom complexities and media laws, highlighting Article 19 of the UN Charter. It contrasts countries like South Africa, which constitutionalize freedom of expression, with those enforcing restrictions. Key South African laws include the Promotion of Access to Information Act for media rights and the Protection of Personal Information Act for data privacy.
    • 7.4: Ethical Decision-making
      This page discusses the complexities of ethical decision-making in journalism, highlighting principles such as truth, fairness, and accountability. Journalists encounter dilemmas that may conflict with personal beliefs, necessitating a careful balance between ethical considerations and reporting. Newsrooms offer policies to aid in these decisions, emphasizing the importance of transparency and stakeholder considerations.
    • 7.5: What happens if you make a mistake?
      This page highlights the significance of ethical journalism and the impacts of reporting errors on public trust. It stresses the need for journalists to promptly acknowledge and correct mistakes to avoid erosion of trust. The South African Press Council offers a complaint framework, leading to mandated corrections. Serious ethical breaches can result in dismissal, while minor mistakes typically require apologies.
    • 7.6: Ethics Handbooks
      This page discusses the South African Press Code, highlighting the importance of ethical guidelines and self-regulation for journalists. It outlines rights for readers, journalists, and interviewees while promoting principles such as truthfulness and objectivity. The content emphasizes journalists' responsibility in decision-making to minimize harm and encourages information literacy to combat misinformation. The next chapter will focus on effective information evaluation.

    Reference:

    1. From https://www.mkgandhi.org/indiadreams/chap68.htm

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