CODE OF ETHICS

Code of Ethics

Members of the Society of Professional Journalists believe that public enlightenment is the forerunner of justice and the foundation of democracy. The duty of the journalist is to further those ends by seeking truth and providing a fair and comprehensive account of events and issues. Conscientious journalists from all media and specialties strive to serve the public with thoroughness and honesty. Professional integrity is the cornerstone of a journalist's credibility. Members of the Society share a dedication to ethical behavior and adopt this code to declare the Society's principles and standards of practice.

*Journalists should be honest, fair and courageous in gathering, reporting and interpreting information.

*Ethical journalists treat sources, subjects and colleagues as human beings deserving of respect.

*Journalists should be free of obligation to any interest other than the public's right to know.

*Journalists are accountable to their readers, listeners, viewers and each other.

Excerpted from The Society of Professional Journalists’ Code of Ethics, voluntarily embraced by thousands of writers, editors and other news professionals—1996. http://www.spj.org/ethics_code.asp