Applied Ethics

I stumbled upon this site of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) where the SPJ Code of Ethics is posted. While specific ethical behaviors look very tailored-fit for journalists, the underlying principles of honesty, respect for others, integrity and fairness present in all codes of ethics, are very evident, though applied in a way unique to the profession.

In the SPJ Code of Ethics, there are four sub-headings or general good conduct to adopt. Under each of these four sub-headings are numerous very specific actions/manners that journalists should observe. The four sub-headings are:
1. Seek the truth and report it – Journalists should be honest, fair, and courageous in gathering, reporting and interpreting information;
2. Minimize harm – Ethical journalists treat sources, subjects and colleagues as human beings deserving of respect;
3. Act independently – Journalists should be free of obligation to any interest other than the public’s right to know; and
4. Be accountable – Journalists are accountable to their readers, listeners, viewers and each other

While dealing with information and ways to communicate it to society in general, journalists are expected to seek the truth above everything else, though within the bounds of the above-mentioned underlying principles. I guess that journalists should be the most careful to observe ethics as credibility is the very life of their careers. And credibility is earned through unwavering observance of integrity, as the Society’s Preamble states. Credibility is not attained overnight, but through years and years of constant observance. Therefore, it should be their way of life, nothing less.

Another reason why they should be most concerned about ethics is the fact that they practice their professions under the watchful eye of the public, facilitating the exchange of information – a priceless commodity. They have the potential to bring about tremendous good or cause much harm in a larger scale than most professionals.

The SPJ site also has a link to an Ethics Advice Line for journalists. Having this advice line suggests that in concerns about ethics and ethical practice of any profession, there will always be gray areas which require case to case judgment.

As an additional material, I also read a very interesting book entitled “My First book of Business Ethics” by Alan Axelrod. Axelrod defined ethics as: “the process of learning what is right or wrong, then doing what is right.” The definition is simple but the actual observance of ethical practice is difficult, mainly because what is right can be very relative. But the author encouraged businessmen to practice ethics at whatever cost because in the end, ethical business will always be good business. He added that whatever one does, is not lost in the crowd, but multiplied by it. This is because action , ethical or unethical, permeates an organization and spreads to its customers. It cannot be contained.

As for me, at the end of the day, whether in gathering and delivering news or selling any merchandise, ethics will always be the very foundation upon which any professional should operate because a person does not exist in isolation but in relation to a larger community. I can say that acting ethically is a self-preservation mechanism. An unethical society will anticipate nothing but downfall. But a society where ethics is practiced and observed will flourish no end. I remember what Jesus said in the Bible: “Do not do unto others what you do not want others do unto you.” If I want others to respect me and treat me as a human being, co-equal with others in my community, then I should do the same. But alas! – this is easier said than done.

References:

My First Book of Business Ethics by: Alan Axelrod, Quirk Books, 2004