Follow the Code

The SPJ Code of Ethics consists of four main points, along the lines of looking for and reporting truth, decreasing harm, acting on one's own and being accountable, according to the Web site. Each of these points has points that provide further explanations for how to use the Code as a guide for ethical behavior.

The code, as SPJ states, “is intended not as a set of “rules, but as a resource for ethical decision-making.” The organization also states that under the First Amendment – the freedom of speech, religion, the press, petition and assembly – its code is not and cannot be legally enforceable. It is merely a resource for journalists and others to use as they are producing information for the print media.

Ethical Elements

Media Ethics: Issues and Cases lists in several ethical news values believed to be as equally important as the qualities journalists use most that define what is newsworthy, such as timeliness and prominence. On the list is accuracy (combining correct facts with correct words), reciprocity (the Golden Rule) and diversity (covering every aspect of the population fairly).

Combining these ethical elements with the more familiar elements, TIPCUPS = timeliness, interest, prominence, conflict, unusualness, proximity, significance, makes for a more well-rounded and credible story.

The Clear Effect

The results ethics in print media bring are there for the world to see. For example, if there is a specific newspaper or magazine you are loyal to, it is most likely because it has proven itself to be credible and accurate in your eyes. You believe what they produce because over time they have not steered you wrong. That particular medium has probably been faced with all types of ethical decisions, but has stayed true to journalism’s biggest priority – being truthful and accurate above all else.

http://www.ehow.com/about_6239171_ethics-print-media.html

TASK 12

Study the NUJ Code of Conduct (you can find this information on the Internet on the site http://media.gn.apc.org/nujcode.html). How can you comment on the information in the Code.

The NUJ’s Code of Conduct has set out the main principles of British and Irish journalism since 1936. The code is part of the rules and all journalists joining the union must sign that they will strive to adhere to it.

Members of the National Union of Journalists are expected to abide by the following professional principles.

A journalist

	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;
	strives to ensure that information disseminated is honestly conveyed, accurate and fair;
	does her / his utmost to correct harmful inaccuracies;
	differentiates between fact and opinion;
	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;
	does nothing to intrude into anybody’s private life, grief or distress unless justified by overriding consideration of the public interest;
	protects the identity of sources who supply information in confidence and material gathered in the course of her / his work;
	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;
	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;
	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;
	a journalist shall normally seek the consent of an appropriate adult when interviewing or photographing a child for a story about her/his welfare;
	avoids plagiarism.
The NUJ believes a journalist has the right to refuse an assignment or be identified as the author of editorial that would break the letter or spirit of the code. The NUJ will fully support any journalist disciplined for asserting her/his right to act according to the code.

TASK 13

Study the Code of Ethics worked out for print media in Belarus and name its main points. Choose any other Code of Ethics accepted in a different country and compare it with the Belarusian one. Do you find differences or similarities? What are they? If you are interested in ethics of The New York Times, read Text 5 in the section “Supplementary Reading”.

6.6 Careers in Print Media  

· Do you plan to devote your career to print media? Explain your answer.

· What do you want to do as a journalist in the sphere of print media? What are your future career prospects there?

Career opportunities in Print journalism are many. The newspapers and magazines today cover a wide range of specialized sections which demand professionally qualified journalists. Print journalism has two sections: field work and desk work. A journalist can work as a correspondent reporter and collect news from the field. In other way he / she also can work in a news desk as an editor / copy editor / proofreader etc. Moreover a professional journalist can work as a freelancer in print media and can contribute articles to the newspaper and magazines. Nevertheless self employment is also a good option for journalists. They can run their own media or advertising house after some years of experience in this field along with ample capital.

The newspapers never really fade away. Even when everything has gone digital, literally, the spread of literacy and modern printing technology ensure that newspapers continue to shape opinions in the global village of today.

& READING AND DISCUSSING 4

Task 14

The following text provides you with some interesting and useful information about career in journalism how it is seen by experienced journalists in print media. Read their opinions about nowadays press and say what pieces of advice appeal to you most of all and why. How do they describe the contemporary journalism?

Text 9

Дата добавления: 2015-11-14