The Broader Ethics Discussion
Steve ButtrySociety of Professional Journalists
Sept. 6, 2014
Slides, links & more• stevebuttry.wordpress.com• slideshare.net/stevebuttry• @stevebuttry• [email protected]
SPJ Code of Ethics• Surely you know about this• First update since 1996• Final draft due for vote today, 3-5 p.m.• Progress but I’m disappointed• Thanks to Ethics Committee for work on
revision
Guiding Principles for the Journalist
• Edited by Kelly McBride & Tom Rosenstiel• Core values used to be truth,
independence, minimizing harm• Now: Truth, transparency, community• Book: Mostly philosophical essays rather
than detailed journalistic guidance
ONA DIY “building blocks”• Collaboration led by Tom Kent• Committee wrote drafts, then
crowdsourced editing• Spells out core agreements: Tell the
truth, avoid conflicts, don’t plagiarize …• Recognizes differing approaches on
impartiality & point of view, other issues
Plagiarism/Fabrication• Followed 2012’s “Summer of Sin”• Several journalism groups collaborated• Writing led by William Connolly• Ebook and “summit” at ACES 2013• Defines plagiarism, advice on prevention,
detection & response• RJI’s most-downloaded ebook
Why linking is ethical• Best form of attribution in digital
platforms• Provides depth• Provides context• Shows your work• Lack of links can be a red flag
Verification Handbook• Project of European Journalism Centre• Edited by Craig Silverman• Not just for journalists• Specific how-to chapters (& case studies)
on crowdsourcing, verifying images, video, UGC, etc.
Rules of the Road• Published by J-Lab• Written by Scott Rosenberg• Focuses on local news startups• Recognizes involvement in community by
some local journalists• Chapters on police reports, privacy,
advocacy, corrections & revisions, etc.
More ethics discussion
More ethics discussion
More discussion• Reuters Institute for the Study of
Journalism• Ethics symposia: University of Colorado,
Washington & Lee • Jay Rosen: “view from nowhere,” “he-
said-she-said” stories• Other individual voices?
Still excellent guidance• Bob Steele’s 10 questions to guide ethical
decisions• Published by Poynter in 2002• A process, not principles• Applies to any platform or situation• Applies to objective or point-of-view
journalism
Steele’s 10 Questions1. What do I know?
Need to know?2. What’s journalistic
purpose?3. Ethical concerns?4. What do policies &
guidelines say?5. Involve others?
6. Stakeholders?7. How would I feel?8. Consequences?9. Alternatives?10.How can I justify to
colleagues? Stakeholders? Public?
Slides, links & more• stevebuttry.wordpress.com• slideshare.net/stevebuttry• @stevebuttry• [email protected]
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