NUJ CODE OF CONDUCT

What are the journalistic and ethical guidelines?

A journalist should:

1. At all times upholds and defends the principle of media freedom, the right of freedom of expression and the right of the public to be informed.

This is important because freedom of speech is a basic human right, so people should be able to

express their own views and opinions. As well as this, the public’s opinions should be heard as it is unjust that only the journalist’s views are being portrayed; therefore there should be an equal

balance in fairness and equality.

2. Strives to ensure that information disseminated is honestly conveyed, accurate and fair.

The information being presented should be accurate and true. If not, people will believe in something false which could end up into something serious. It is essential that the

news has been properly researched into, is honest and real as well as accurate.

3. Does her/his utmost to correct harmful inaccuracies.

If the journalist does not correct the inaccurate stories, the audience will still

believe in it which can be spread around very quickly. If the journalist tries to correct this, it gives them a chance to show the true story

which can raise awareness in other journalists to finally get the real story out.

4. Differentiates between fact and opinion.

It is essential that a journalist can differentiate the two. Respectfully, an opinion is a belief of their own, where as a fact can be

proven. If a journalist is treating their opinions as a fact, it will be biased and false

which can raise issues in the public audience.

5. Obtains material by honest, straightforward and open means, with the exception of investigations that are both overwhelmingly in the public interest and which involve evidence that cannot be obtained by straightforward means.

Evidence is always needed to back up a news story. However this evidence should be collected in an open and honest way, not in a secretive and an intolerable way. This might make the public feel vulnerable and

may as if their privacy have been violated.

6. Does nothing to intrude into anybody’s private life, grief or distress unless justified by overriding consideration of the public interest.

Linking to the previous code, a journalist should never just decide they want to invade

somebody’s personal life to help find evidence for their own story. If they want evidence, it

should be done in a justified manner.

7. Protects the identity of sources who supply information in confidence and material gathered in the course of her/his work.

Confidentiality is important in the news world as the news world is very big. If other journalists find out who or what the source is, that source

will be targeted by everybody wanting answers. A journalist should keep this out of respect as well

to ensure their work is original and accurate.

8. Resists threats or any other inducements to influence, distort or suppress information and takes no unfair personal advantage of information gained in the course of her/his duties before the information is public knowledge.

The knowledge the journalist has discovered should not be used for their own personal needs. The

information they find should be given to the public as their spokesperson. A journalist should not fall under pressure or threats or any other influences to give out

information.

9. Produces no material likely to lead to hatred or discrimination on the grounds of a person’s age, gender, race, colour, creed, legal status, disability, marital status, or sexual orientation.

The journalist’s work should not offend or discriminate anybody. The world we live in should be free of discrimination as it is, and if the media and

news journalists add to this, it just presents our world as more prejudice and discriminate. Certain groups

may be offended so it is right to avoid this.

10. Does not by way of statement, voice or appearance endorse by advertisement any commercial product or service save for the promotion of her/his own work or of the medium by which she/he is employed.

Again, the journalist should not be using this as a form of advertising themselves or things they work for in addition to what they do. It should not be to advertise for their own

personal gains. This is important because then it is irrelevant to the public and the public may feel as if they

are taking advantage of the job therefore should be given to someone better.

11. A journalist shall normally seek the consent of an appropriate adult when interviewing or photographing a child for a story about her/his welfare.

It is essential that the child feels comfortable whilst being interviewed, therefore an appropriate adult

should be present. This not only allows the child to be more cooperative but makes them feel as if they can talk more as they are comfortable, which also allows them to

give more accurate information, rather than feel as if they are being put on the spot.

12. Avoids plagiarism.

A journalist should avoid this at all costs. If they are simply copying somebody else’s work and taking credit for it shows that they are unreliable and untrustworthy. This loses trust within the public as well as goes against the job they have.