ISLAMABAD: To seek truth, minimise harm, act independently and to be accountable are the international values, guidelines and principles of journalistic ethics.

This was stated by Sherry Ricchiadi, Professor School of Journalism Indiana University, while addressing a workshop on “Journalism Ethics” organised by the Embassy of United States here on Tuesday. Media persons both from electronic as well as print attended the workshop.

“Following the ethics of journalism is a skill, which leads to learning, development, reasoned information and makes a journalist perfect,” she said, adding that failing to follow journalistic ethics mars credibility.

She further said that some lime unhealthy competition without following journalism ethics push the media persons to loss of credibility in their news.

On this occasion Sherry presented a list of questions, which could help journalists work by observing ethics, which include,

(i) what do I know and what do I need to know (ii) what is my journalistic purpose (iii) What are my ethical concerns (iv) what organisational policies and professional guidelines should I consider (v) how can 1 include other people, with different perspectives and divers ideas, in the decision making process (vi) who are the stakeholders, those affected by my decision, what are their motivation, which are most legitimate (vii) what are my alternatives to maximize my truth telling responsibility and minimize harm?

She further said that journalists should have accuracy and fairness for a high level confidence about the facts in his/her story and the sources, which were providing them. If they have any doubts about their sources, they could replace them or leave them out and achieve higher reliability, she added.
Source: Business Recorder
Date:5/26/2010