Do journalists follow the code of ethics?
like what are the code of ethics and do they follow them? what are the consequences if they don’t?
some websites could be helpful too
thank you 
Here’s a snippet from the first link in the source category below
Members of the Society of Professional Journalists believe that public enlightenment is the forerunner of justice and the foundation of democracy. The duty of the journalist is to further those ends by seeking truth and providing a fair and comprehensive account of events and issues. Conscientious journalists from all media and specialties strive to serve the public with thoroughness and honesty. Professional integrity is the cornerstone of a journalist’s credibility. Members of the Society share a dedication to ethical behavior and adopt this code to declare the Society’s principles and standards of practice.
There are two ways to look at journalistic ethics.
1.) Look at them as a guideline and "hope" all journalists would follow them
2.) Look at them realistically and see how they are practiced in the real world. (i give a few links at the bottom as well of these examples)
A.) For the most part – no – they are not followed by today’s "journalists". Our society of instant gratification – particularly when it comes to entertainment – has bred a generation of corrupt journalists who will say anything and do anything to get a few more ticks on the rating scale, or sell a few more papers in the Sunday press.
A code of ethics essentially says to strip yourself of all personal identity – remove yourself from the report – remove your own political views from the discussion, and report on it as a completely influential figure in the room. but as the links below will show you – this never happens in this country.
Facts get omitted to create a better story. Quotes get misused and almost always taken out of context. Everyone just wants to spew forth their opinion anymore – and hope they can get a cult gathering of people who agree with them.
Makes for great TV – but also makes for the exact opposite of what an ethical journalist aspires to be.
Palin and the McCain Campaign Questions Journalist Ethics
Latest Palin and McCain Campaign of blaming the media for them looking bad.
Duration : 0:3:5
Journalistic Ethics, Lec 8, Communications Studies 187, UCLA
Course Description: Intensive examination of ethical and policy issues arising from interaction of media institutions (print, film, broadcasting, and new technologies) and societal institutions (Congress, federal agencies, courts, Presidency, schools, churches, political action groups, advertisers, and audiences).
About the Professor:
Jim Newton is editor-at-large of the Los Angeles Times. He serves as a member of The Times’ editorial board, advises on editorial matters and writes and edits for the editorial page and Op-Ed. Previously, he served as editor of the editorial pages, supervising the editorial board and overseeing its work as well as the Op-Ed page, Sunday Opinion and letters to the editor.
A 20-year veteran of the Los Angeles Times, he has worked as a reporter, editor and bureau chief and has covered, among other beats, the Los Angeles Police Department, the administration of Mayor Richard Riordan, federal law enforcement and state and local politics.
Duration : 1:8:8
are journalists required to swear to the Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics?
cigarsnbrew:
"HR usually makes you sign a statement saying that you read it"
:
is that read and follow, or just read?
Hi Joy interesting question my major was media studies I always wanted to be a News Reporter on televison ….I remember in College I took many Ethic classes in Journalism and we studied a code of ethics that people in the news and in any business whether Financial etc.. should follow a code of ethics……….but I did not know that journalists were required to swear by these code of ethics is this true here in America wow interesting I never heard of this but then again I never worked for a major news company either & when i was networking about the field for career interest…. with the people like a CBS Producer in NY and writers for ABC nightly news etc……… in the business they never mentioned it to me…………………..
Will Ethics affect the decisions that you make?
For example you are a journalist in a newspaper. You are traveling through the countryside for your vacation, you chances upon this:
A major unknown epidemic had broken out in a small village, killing hundreds of people. The cause of the epidemic had not been discovered. However, the outbreak seemed to be under control as no new cases had been reported for a few weeks. As such, the local authorities chose to cover up the outbreak and not report it to the relevant government authorities.
You can either report this in your newspaper, or to the government. So that they can take necessary measures.
You can also choose to keep quiet, which will keep you and the country out of trouble.
Which one will you choose, and why?
Like I tell my warden: One has nottin’ to do wit’ da udder.
Journalistic Ethics, Lec 8, Communications Studies 187, UCLA
Course Description: Intensive examination of ethical and policy issues arising from interaction of media institutions (print, film, broadcasting, and new technologies) and societal institutions (Congress, federal agencies, courts, Presidency, schools, churches, political action groups, advertisers, and audiences).
About the Professor:
Jim Newton is editor-at-large of the Los Angeles Times. He serves as a member of The Times’ editorial board, advises on editorial matters and writes and edits for the editorial page and Op-Ed. Previously, he served as editor of the editorial pages, supervising the editorial board and overseeing its work as well as the Op-Ed page, Sunday Opinion and letters to the editor.
A 20-year veteran of the Los Angeles Times, he has worked as a reporter, editor and bureau chief and has covered, among other beats, the Los Angeles Police Department, the administration of Mayor Richard Riordan, federal law enforcement and state and local politics.
Duration : 1:9:54
I’m interviewing a journalist, what should I ask her?
My assignment is on ethnic stereotyping in the media and I am going to interview a journalist today. I want to ask her some general questions about what a journalist can do to avoid biases, etc, and also some specific questions.
By the way, she is a racist journalist, so I want to begin with general questions about ethics in journalism, then focus in on her writing.
What should I ask?
i would ask what she thinks the problems are, how she thinks they can be overcome, who she looks up to ( or admires), who (or what) disappoints her,why she does what she does, what question she is tired of being asked, what question she wishes someone would ask her
Journalistic Ethics, Lec 13, Communications Studies 187, UCLA
Course Description: Intensive examination of ethical and policy issues arising from interaction of media institutions (print, film, broadcasting, and new technologies) and societal institutions (Congress, federal agencies, courts, Presidency, schools, churches, political action groups, advertisers, and audiences).
About the Professor:
Jim Newton is editor-at-large of the Los Angeles Times. He serves as a member of The Times’ editorial board, advises on editorial matters and writes and edits for the editorial page and Op-Ed. Previously, he served as editor of the editorial pages, supervising the editorial board and overseeing its work as well as the Op-Ed page, Sunday Opinion and letters to the editor.
A 20-year veteran of the Los Angeles Times, he has worked as a reporter, editor and bureau chief and has covered, among other beats, the Los Angeles Police Department, the administration of Mayor Richard Riordan, federal law enforcement and state and local politics.
Duration : 1:1:49
Is there a code of ethics in Journalism? Should Journalists be licensed and subject to an ethics board?
Can that be done without violating 1st amendment?
That is what the Courts are for, there are specific laws that would have to be violated before a jounalist could be charged with a crime.
There have been laws about advertising and television shows in an effort to establish a quality of entertainment and sales.
It is quite possible that censorship is breed through the same efforts.