CODE OF ETHICS
My Personal/Professional Code of Ethics
TRUTH
STRIVE TO REPORT EVERY SIDE OF A STORY BECAUSE THERE ARE OFTEN MORE THAN TWO SIDES TO A STORY.
With the time and other limitations being an MMJ can bring, acknowledge when there may be a side not represented in a report on air. Then, use social media, especially Twitter, and the web story to include the side(s) not originally included.
INCLUDE CONTEXT IN A STORY WHEN IT WILL HELP THE VIEWER UNDERSTAND A STORY IN A WAY FACTS ALONE CANNOT.
With the time and other limitations being an MMJ can bring, make context akin to correcting factual errors, i.e. use social media and the web story to include context when it becomes available.
CHALLENGE ASSUMPTIONS AND STEREOTYPES TO DECREASE AND ERASE IGNORANCE.
ACCURACY
QUICKLY AND ACCURATELY CORRECT ANY FACTUAL ERRORS OR REPORTING THAT BECOMES OUTDATED.
Use social media, especially Twitter and the web story, to update and correct information.
CLEARLY ATTRIBUTE INFORMATION TO CREDIBLE SOURCES.
VERIFY AND INVESTIGATE CLAIMS, WITNESS ACCOUNTS AND USER-GENERATED CONTENT (PHONE CALLS, VIDEO, PICTURES, ETC.) AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.
With the time and other limitations being an MMJ can bring, use attribution to make viewers aware the information/user-generated content came from a witness or other individual who is not an authority since time restraints and limitation of resources can make verification imperfect.
TRANSPARENCY
EXPLAIN IMPORTANT AND/OR CONTROVERSIAL EDITORIAL DECISIONS THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA.
USE SOCIAL MEDIA TO SHOW THE PUBLIC HOW THE INFORMATION THEY HEAR/SEE IN A STORY IS GATHERED.
Under tight deadlines or other limitations, this can be done after a story airs, if needed.
INDEPENDENCE
DON’T LET ADVERTISERS OR COMPANY INTERESTS INFLUENCE REPORTING.
AVOID REAL AND/OR PERCEIVED CONFLICTS OF INTEREST.
Remain independent from organizations that could be subjects of coverage.