Developing an Editorial Code of Ethics
Posted on Sunday, September 29, 2019 at 10:45 PM
Is it time for you to revisit your publication's ethics code? Which
principles are most important in today's publishing world?
By
Denise Gable
Google the term "editorial integrity" and you'll
see that it's a topic of current interest. A number of broadcasters are
making statements about their own practices. We readily found WFYI
(Indianapolis), KETR (Texas A&M University–Commerce), and WKU Public
Radio (Western Kentucky University) touting their own codes of ethics.
Interestingly, these are all public broadcasters. Meanwhile, on the
publishing side, Folio magazine bemoans, "Separation of Church
and State Is (Mostly) Dead in Media, Execs Say."
Well, maybe
-- or maybe not.
Recently we came across the code of ethics for Mint,
an Indian financial print daily with an online version at livemint.com.
Its code offers EO readers a number of points worth considering.
Here is an excerpt:
"The central premise of this code is that Mint's
reputation for quality products and services, for business integrity,
and for the independence and integrity of our publications, services and
products is the heart and soul of our enterprise. Put another way, it is
an essential prerequisite for success in the news and information
business that our customers believe us to be telling them the truth. If
we are not telling them the truth -- or even if they, for any valid
reason, believe that we are not -- then Mint cannot prosper. The
company will suffer, for example, if our customers cannot assume that:
"--Our
facts are accurate and fairly presented;
"--Our analyses represent
our best independent judgments rather than our preferences, or those of
our sources, advertisers or information providers;
"--Our opinions
represent only our own editorial philosophies; or
"--There are no
hidden agendas in any of our journalistic undertakings.
"--All
companies profess business integrity. But the impact of our work on the
work of others, and on their lives and fortunes, places special
responsibilities upon all Mint employees.
"The clear
implication of these beliefs is that the responsibility for safeguarding
and growing a company that lives up to this code lies with each and
every one of us. Every Mint employee holds a position of trust.
Acceptance of a position at any level or in any part of Mint includes
acceptance of individual responsibility to uphold Mint policies
governing legal and ethical business practices. It also includes
acceptance of individual responsibility for following all legal
requirements and ethical business practices, as well as the
responsibility to stress proper ethical behavior among colleagues and
subordinates.
"Moreover, it must be clear to each of us that
business integrity is necessary in every business decision -- and that
it is not the special province of news employees, or members of the
legal department, or anyone else. Business integrity requires that we
make all of our business decisions, and approach all business questions,
objectively and realistically, and in the long-term best interests of
all of our shareholders.
"Editors, by virtue of their positions
of authority, must be ethical role models for all employees. An
important part of an editor's leadership responsibility is to exhibit
the highest standards of integrity in all dealings with employees,
customers and the world at large. Editors must avoid even implicit or
unspoken approval of any actions that may be damaging to the reputation
of [parent company] HT Media, and must always exercise sound business
judgment in the performance of their duties.
"An equally
important leadership responsibility is to develop employees' commitment
to our principles and ability to make sound ethical judgments. Editors
must communicate the seriousness of the company's expectations of
ethical conduct, as well as their own personal support for these
guidelines. Ethical leadership includes fostering a working environment
that encourages employees to voice concerns or otherwise seek assistance
or counsel if faced with potentially compromising situations, and also
supporting those who raise such concerns."
Native
Advertising?
Another publication that subscribes to the Mint
code is Singapore-based Career Tsunami. It covers
transformational issues in the workplace associated with new
technologies and related business changes. Its code adds:
"The
age-old tenets of journalism still hold true. This is especially
relevant on the internet where anyone can be a publisher, and the line
between who is a journalist and who is not is blurring.
"Branded
content or native advertising is commonplace in digital journalism and Career
Tsunami intends to pursue such opportunities. Our journalists will
never be involved in creating such content and we will make sure to
label clearly such content so that readers know that it is sponsored
content. They may be labeled as sponsored feature, advertorial,
advertisement, marketing feature, or the like. We will not allow
advertising to disguise itself as newsroom-originated, editorial content.
"From
time to time, our editorial staff may get advance access to products,
services, websites, features, and apps before they are publicly
available for the purposes of evaluation for potential coverage. Advance
access, and access in general, is not a guarantee of coverage or the
tone of coverage. Moreover, the timing of any coverage we do is not
influenced by any company we cover. Periodically, however, we may
negotiate the timing with a company on a case-by-case basis if it makes
sense editorially."
Do You Have a Code?
Editorial
Solutions president Howard Rauch recently emphasized that it may be time
for editors to create their own respective codes of ethics. He says,
"You've
probably read recent reports about Church & State philosophy's imminent
demise. Supposedly hastening this development has been a movement
towards increased editorial staff involvement in marketing activity.
"While
this may probably please your sales team, impact on editorial ethical
practice remains unclear. Over the years, stern adherence to C&S
principles probably has softened.
"In fact, several years back
while serving as ASBPE's ethics committee chairman, I sensed the wisdom
of adopting a more favorable disposition towards senior editor
participation in sponsored content projects as well as accompanying our
sales team on selected advertiser calls. It also suggested as beneficial
creating an additional ethics code totally devoted to marketing matters.
"That
hasn't happened yet, but perhaps its time is coming soon. One logical
option, of course, is creation of your own in-house ethics code that
supplements ASBPE's excellent national code.
"Then there are many
who believe further modification of the existing code would be
sufficient. The jury is still out. Where agreement seems to exist among
editors is recognition of the need to build a strong relationship with
their marketing colleagues."
Note: You can see the ASBPE
code here.
Denise
Gable is managing editor of Editors Only.
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