Gannett Newspaper Division: Principles of Ethical Conduct for Newsrooms.
This code of conduct can be found at http://www.asne.org/ideas/codes/gannettcompany.htm
GANNETT NEWSPAPER DIVISION
I. PRINCIPLES OF ETHICAL CONDUCT FOR NEWSROOMS
WE ARE COMMITTED TO:
Seeking and reporting the truth in a truthful way
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We will dedicate ourselves to reporting the news accurately, thoroughly
and in context.
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We will be honest in the way we gather, report and present news.
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We will be persistent in the pursuit of the whole story.
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We will keep our word.
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We will hold factual information in opinion columns and editorials
to the same standards of accuracy as news stories.
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We will seek to gain sufficient understanding of the communities, individuals
and stories we cover to provide an informed account of activities.
Serving the public interest
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We will uphold First Amendment principles to serve the democratic process.
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We will be vigilant watchdogs of government and institutions that affect
the public.
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We will provide the news and information that people need to function as
effective citizens.
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We will seek solutions as well as expose problems and wrongdoing.
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We will provide a public forum for diverse people and views.
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We will reflect and encourage understanding of the diverse segments of
our community.
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We will provide editorial and community leadership.
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We will seek to promote understanding of complex issues.
Exercising fair play
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We will treat people with dignity, respect and compassion.
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We will correct errors promptly.
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We will strive to include all sides relevant to a story and not take sides
in news coverage.
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We will explain to readers our journalistic processes.
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We will give particular attention to fairness in relations with people
unaccustomed to dealing with the press.
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We will use unnamed sources as the sole basis for published information
only as a last resort and under specific procedures that best serve
the public's right to know.
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We will be accessible to readers.
Maintaining independence
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We will remain free of outside interests, investments or business relationships
that may compromise the credibility of our news report.
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We will maintain an impartial, arm's length relationship with anyone seeking
to influence the news.
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We will avoid potential conflicts of interest and eliminate inappropriate
influence on content.
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We will be free of improper obligations to news sources, newsmakers
and advertisers.
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We will differentiate advertising from news.
Acting with integrity
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We will act honorably and ethically in dealing with news sources, the public
and our colleagues.
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We will obey the law.
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We will observe common standards of decency.
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We will take responsibility for our decisions and consider the possible
consequences of our actions.
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We will be conscientious in observing these Principles.
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We will always try to do the right thing.
II. PROTECTING THE PRINCIPLES
No statement of principles and procedures can envision every circumstance
that may be faced in the course of covering the news. As in the United
States Constitution, fundamental principles sometimes conflict. Thus, these
recommended practices cannot establish standards of performance for journalists
in every situation.
Careful judgment and common sense should be applied to make the decisions
that best serve the public interest and result in the greatest good. In
such instances, journalists should not act unilaterally. The best decisions
are obtained after open-minded consultations with appropriate colleagues
and superiors - augmented, when necessary, by the advice of dispassionate
outside parties, such as experts, lawyers, ethicists, or others whose views
in confidence may provide clarity in sorting out issues.
Here are some recommended practices to follow to protect the Principles.
This list is not all-inclusive. There may be additional practices - implicit
in the Principles or determined within individual newsrooms - that will
further ensure credible and responsible journalism.
Ensuring the Truth Principle
"Seeking and reporting the truth in a truthful way" includes, specifically:
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We will not lie.
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We will not misstate our identities or intentions.
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We will not fabricate.
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We will not plagiarize.
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We will not alter photographs to mislead readers.
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We will not intentionally slant the news.
Using unnamed sources
The use of unnamed sources in published stories
should be rare and only for important news. Whenever possible, reporters
should seek to confirm news on the record. If the use of unnamed sources
is required:
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Use as sources only people who are in a position to know.
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Corroborate information from an unnamed source through another source or
sources and/or by documentary information. Rare exceptions must be approved
by the editor.
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Inform sources that reporters will disclose sources to at least one editor.
Editors will be bound by the same promise of confidentiality to sources
as are reporters.
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Hold editors as well as reporters accountable when unnamed sources are
used. When a significant story to be published relies on a source who will
not be named, it is the responsibility of the senior news executive to
confirm the identity of the source and to review the information
provided. This may require the editor to meet the source.
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Make clear to the reporters and to sources that agreements of confidentiality
are between the newspaper and the sources, not just between the reporter
and the sources. The newspaper will honor its agreements with sources.
Reporters should make every effort to clear such confidentiality agreements
with the editors first. Promises of confidentiality made by reporters to
sources will not be overridden by the editors; however, editors may choose
not to use the material obtained in this fashion.
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Do not allow unnamed sources to take cheap shots in stories. It is unfair
and unprofessional.
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Expect reporters and editors to seek to understand the motivations of a
source and take those into account in evaluating the fairness and truthfulness
of the information provided.
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Make clear to sources the level of confidentiality agreed to. This does
not mean each option must be discussed with the source, but each party
should understand the agreement. Among the options are:
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The newspaper will not name them in the article;
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The newspaper will not name them unless a court compels the newspaper to
do so;
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The newspaper will not name them under any circumstances.
All sources should be informed that the newspaper will not honor confidentiality
if the sources have lied or misled the newspaper.
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Make sure both sides understand what is being agreed to. For example:
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Statements may be quoted directly or indirectly and will be attributed
to the source. This is sometimes referred to as "on the record."
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The information may be used in the story but not attributed to the source.
This is sometimes referred to as "not for attribution" or "for background."
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The information will not be used in the story unless obtained elsewhere
and attributed to someone else. This is sometimes referred to as "off the
record."
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Describe an unnamed source's identity as fully as possible (without revealing
that identity) to help readers evaluate the credibility of what the source
has said or provided.
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Do not make promises you do not intend to fulfill or may not be able to
fulfill.
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Do not threaten sources.
Handling the wires
These Principles are intended to provide front-line guidance for locally
generated material. Wire-service material already has been edited professionally.
Gannett News Service observes these same Principles. The Associated Press
has its own standards for the use of unnamed sources. Other wire-service
standards may be lower. Additional scrutiny often is required, and further
editing is encouraged. Ultimately, an editor must make a sound judgment
about how to reconcile conflicts between wire-service and local-newsroom
practices. Whenever possible, these Principles should prevail.
Being fair
Because of timeliness or unavailability, it is not always possible to
include a response from the subject of an accusation in a news story. Nevertheless:
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We should make a good-faith effort to seek appropriate comment from the
person (or organization) before publication.
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When that is not feasible, we should be receptive to requests for a response
or try to seek a response for a follow-up story.
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Letters to the editor also may provide an appropriate means for reply.
Some public records will identify persons accused of wrongdoing. Publication
of denials is not necessary in such circumstances.
Being independent
"Maintaining independence" helps establish the impartiality of news
coverage. To clarify two points:
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News staff members are encouraged to be involved in worthwhile community
activities, so long as this does not compromise the credibility of news
coverage.
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When unavoidable personal or business interests could compromise the newspaper's
credibility, such potential conflicts must be disclosed to one's superior
and, if relevant, to readers.
Conducting investigative reporting
Aggressive, hard-hitting reporting is honorable and often courageous
in fulfilling the press' First Amendment responsibilities, and it
is encouraged. Investigative reporting by its nature raises issues not
ordinarily faced in routine reporting. Here are some suggested procedures
to follow when undertaking investigative reporting:
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Involve more than one editor at the early stages and in the editing of
the stories.
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Question continually the premise of the stories and revise accordingly.
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Follow the practices outlined in the use of sources.
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Document the information in stories to the satisfaction of the senior editor.
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Have a "fresh read" by an editor who has not seen the material as you near
publication. Encourage the editor to read it skeptically, then listen carefully
to and heed questions raised about clarity, accuracy and relevance.
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Make certain that care, accuracy and fairness are exercised in headlines,
photographs, presentation and overall tone.
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Evaluate legal and ethical issues fully, involving appropriate colleagues,
superiors, lawyers or dispassionate outside parties in the editorial process.
(For example, it may be helpful to have a technical story reviewed by a
scientist for accuracy, or have financial descriptions assessed by an accountant,
or consult an ethicist or respected outside editor on an ethical issue.)
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Be careful about trading information with sources or authorities, particularly
if it could lead to an impression that you are working in concert against
an individual or entity.
Editing skeptically
Editors are the gatekeepers who determine what will be published and
what will not be. Their responsibility is to question and scrutinize, even
when it is uncomfortable to do so. Here are some suggested practices that
editors can follow:
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Take special care to understand the facts and context of the story.
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Guard against assumptions and preconceived notions - including their own.
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Ensure time and resources for sound editing. Nothing should be printed
that has not been reviewed by someone else. When feasible, at least
two editors should see stories before publication. Complex or controversial
stories may require even more careful scrutiny.
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Consider involving an in-house skeptic on major stories - a contrarian
who can play the role of devil's advocate.
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Challenge conventional wisdom.
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Heed their "gut instinct." Don't publish a story if it doesn't feel right.
Check it further.
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Consider what may be missing from the story.
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Consider how others - especially antagonists or skeptical readers - may
view the story. What questions would they ask? What parts would they think
are unfair? Will they believe it?
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Be especially careful of stories that portray individuals purely as villains
or heroes.
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Beware of stories that reach conclusions based on speculation or a pattern
of facts.
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Protect against being manipulated by advocates and special interests.
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Consider these questions: "How do you know? How can you be sure? Where
is the evidence? Who is the source? How does he or she know? What is the
supporting documentation?"
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Watch carefully for red flags that give reason to be skeptical of news-gathering
or editing conduct.
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Don't be stampeded by deadlines, unrealistic competitive concerns or peer
pressure.
Ensuring accuracy
Dedication to the truth means accuracy itself is an ethical issue. Each
news person has the responsibility to strive for accuracy at each step
of the process.
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Be aware that information attributed to a source may not be factually
correct.
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Be sure the person quoted is in a position to know.
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Be especially careful with technical terms, statistics, mathematical computations,
crowd estimates and poll results.
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Consider going over all or portions of an especially complicated story
with primary sources or with outside experts. However, do not surrender
editorial control.
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Don't make assumptions. Don't guess at facts or spellings. Asking the person
next to you is not "verification" - he or she could be wrong too.
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Improve note taking. Consider backing up your notes with a tape recorder
when ethically and legally appropriate.
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Be wary of newspaper library clippings, which may contain uncorrected errors.
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Develop checklists of troublesome or frequently used names, streets, titles,
etc.
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Understand the community and subject matter. Develop expertise in areas
of specialized reporting.
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Reread stories carefully after writing, watching especially for
errors of context and balance as well as for spelling and other basic mistakes.
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Use care in writing headlines. Do not stretch beyond the facts of the story.
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Follow a simple rule on the copy desk to double-check the accuracy of headlines:
"Find the headline in the story." (For example, if the headline says, "Three
die in crash," go to the story and count the dead and be certain they died
in the crash.)
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Consider using "accuracy checks" as an affirmative way to search out errors
and monitor accuracy. (Accuracy checks are a process by which published
stories are sent to sources or experts asking for comment on accuracy,
fairness or other aspects.)
Correcting errors
When errors occur, the newspaper has an ethical obligation to
correct the record and minimize harm.
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Errors should be corrected promptly. But first, a determination must be
made that the fact indeed was in error and that the correction itself is
fully accurate.
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Errors should be corrected with sufficient prominence that readers who
saw the original error are likely to see the correction. This is a matter
of the editor's judgment.
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Although it is wise to avoid repeating the error in the correction, the
correction should have sufficient context that readers will understand
exactly what is being corrected.
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Errors of nuance, context or tone may require clarifications, editor's
notes, editor's columns or letters to the editor.
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When the newspaper disagrees with a news subject about whether a story
contained an error, editors should consider offering the aggrieved party
an opportunity to express his or her view in a letter to the editor.
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Corrections should be reviewed before publication by a senior editor who
was not directly involved in the error. The editor should determine if
special handling or outside counsel are required.
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Errors should be corrected whether or not they are called to the attention
of the newspaper by someone outside the newsroom.
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Factual errors should be corrected in most cases even if the subject of
the error does not want it to be corrected. The rationale for this is rooted
in the Truth Principle. It is the newspaper's duty to provide accurate
information to readers. An exception may be made - at the behest of the
subject - when the correction of a relatively minor mistake would result
in public ridicule or greater harm than the original error.
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Newsroom staffers should be receptive to complaints about inaccuracies
and follow up on them.
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Newsroom staffers have a responsibility to alert the appropriate editor
if they become aware of a possible error in the newspaper.
III. REINFORCING THE PRINCIPLES
Communicating standards
Editors have a responsibility to communicate these Principles to newsroom
staff members and to the public. They should:
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Ensure that sound hiring practices are followed to build a staff of ethical
and responsible journalists. Such practices include making reference checks
and conducting sufficient interviewing and testing to draw reasonable conclusions
about the individual's personal standards.
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Provide prospective hires with a copy of these Principles and make
acceptance of them a condition of employment.
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Conduct staff training at least annually in the Principles of Ethical Conduct.
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Require staff members at the time of hire and each year thereafter to sign
a statement acknowledging that they have read the Principles of Ethical
Conduct and will raise any questions about them with their editors.
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Communicate these Principles to the public periodically.
Being accountable
Because these Principles embody the highest standards of professional
conduct, the Gannett Newspaper Division is committed to their adherence.
They have been put in writing specifically so that members of every Gannett
Newspaper Division newsroom know what the Division stands for and what
is expected of them. The public will know, too.
