Canons of Journalism were ethical rules adopted by the American Society of Newspaper Editors on April 28, 1923, and since endorsed by many state associations and other groups of journalists. These canons have been taken up in other countries too and explain the basis rules for good behaviour for journalists, reminding them not only about their role as well as responsibilities. A journalist is made to understand that he is accountable only to the reader and he has to write or broadcast information keeping in mind welfare and interests of his readers. Though in today’s world when newspaper is more of a business than a mission as it used to be a few decades back, journalists have to follow not only the diktats of the editor and owner of the newspaper but also the marketing manager and brand director, we need to remember that our primary objective is to inform the reader and thus take care of his interests. We need to follow these principles of journalism as much as possible.
This is the resolution adopted by the American Society of Newspaper Editors:
The primary
function of newspapers is to communicate to the human race what its members do,
feel and think. Journalism, therefore, demands of its practitioners the widest
range of intelligence of knowledge and of experience, as well as natural and
trained powers of observation and reasoning. To its opportunities as a
chronicle are indissoluble linked its obligations as teacher and interpreter.
(1) Responsibility— The right of a newspaper to attract and hold readers is restricted by nothing but considerations of public welfare. The use of newspaper makes of the share of public attention it gains serves to determine its sense of responsibility, which it shares with every member of its staff. A journalist who uses his power for any selfish or otherwise unworthy purpose is faithless to a high trust.
(2) Freedom of the Press— Freedom of the press is to be guarded as a vital right of mankind. It is the unquestionable right by law, including the wisdom of any restrictive statute. To its privileges under the freedom of American institutions are inseparably joined its responsibilities for an intelligent fidelity to the Constitution of the United States.
(3) Independence—
Freedom from all obligations except that of fidelity to the public interest is
vital.
A. Promotion of
any private interest contrary to the general welfare, for what ever reason, is
not compatible with honest journalism. So-called news communications from
private sources should not be published without public notice of their source
or else substantiation of the claims to value as news, both in form and substance.
B. Partisanship in editorial comment which knowingly departs from the truth does violence to the best spirit of American journalism; in the news columns it is subversive of a fundamental principle of the profession.
(4) Sincerity,
Truthfulness, Accuracy— Good faith with the reader is the foundation of all
journalism worthy of the name.
A. By every
consideration of good faith, a newspaper is constrained to be truthful. It is
not to be excused for lack of thoroughness, or accuracy within its control, or
failure to obtain command of these essential qualities.
B. Headlines should be fully warranted by the contents of the articles which they surmount.
(5) Impartiality— Sound practice makes clear distinction between news reports and expressions of opinion. News reports should be free from opinion or bias of any kind. This rule does not apply to so-called special articles unmistakably devoted to advocacy or characterized by a signature authorizing the writer’s own conclusions and interpretations.
(6) Fair Play— A
newspaper should not publish unofficial charges affecting reputation or moral
character, without opportunity given to the accused to be heard; right practice
demands the giving of such opportunity in all cases of serious accusation
outside judicial proceedings.
A. A newspaper
should no invade rights of private feelings without sure warren of public right
as distinguished from public curiosity.
B. It is the privilege, as it is the duty, of a newspaper to make prompt and complete correction of its own serious mistakes of fact or opinion, whatever their origin.
(7) Decency— A
newspaper cannot escape conviction of insincerity if, while professing high
moral purpose, it supplies incentives to base conduct, such as are to be found
in details of crime and vice, publication of which is not demonstrably for the
general good. Lacking authority to enforce its canons, the journalism here
represented can but express the hope that deliberate pandering to vicious
instincts will encounter effective public disapproval or yield to the influence
of a preponderant professional condemnation.
