EYE ON ETHICS

Prof. Haque teaches Agril.Extension, Apllied & Agricultural Journalism at Shere-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Government-sponsored ethics. Ethics is a matter of voluntary compliance, but some governments have issued their own codes of ethics, or demand that journalists comply with their concept of ethical journalism. The following piece, adapted from Bangladesh’s The New Nation on Feb. 21, 2008, assumes that that country’s government is well within its rights to expect compliance with its views on ethical journalism. Your views and comments would be welcome.

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Recently I read an apology from the editor of a reputable English daily for publishing an article in that newspaper which was malicious, sweeping, and full of innuendos and few facts.

I was glad to see the editor’s goodwill and courage to admit a mistake and to express his regret for it. He mentioned three reasons why he apologized. While stating his third purpose, he raised a core ethical question–whether a columnist has the right to malign individuals, families or groups without any proof.

A few days ago, while re-launching an English daily, President Iajuddin Ahmed called upon the media to be ethical and objective. Emphasizing the important elements of ethics in journalism, the President said: “As you know, accuracy, objectivity, patriotism and public accountability are some of the vital elements of ethics in journalism which should be upheld”.

The ethics of journalism include a commitment to truthfulness, accuracy, wisdom, courage, justice, temperance, objectivity, impartiality and public accountability. While reporting on an event, a journalist must keep in mind these ethical principles and devote him/herself to reporting only those matters which are based on fact and evidences. Good faith with the reader is very important. The news must be credible. It should be unbiased and free of any twist or unwarranted comments.

Journalistic ethics also includes the principle of ‘limitation of harm’ that withholds certain details from the news report in support of which no significant evidence is available or which may jeopardize one’s reputation in the society. Often news of persons, children related to the report are being withheld for social or humanitarian reasons. Sometimes news-photos published in some of our newspapers bypass the social and psychological limitations! The ‘Code of Ethics’ restricts a journalist to get involved in ‘Yellow Journalism’– i.e. unethical and unprofessional journalism. Sometimes some journalist take money or other favors from people to publish certain news or to distort some news willingly. This is a very bad practice contrary to the ethics and principles of journalism.

The editor, news editor or the chief of reporters under no circumstances should assign a journalist to an area to report an event about which the latter has little or no knowledge or experience. Often the news editor, out of favor or affection, assigns someone to certain beats by keeping the associated one idle!

Last but not the least, one of the fundamental ethics of journalism is ‘objectivity’ which refers to fairness, disinterestedness, factuality, and non partisanship. Sociologist Michael Schudson (1978) argues that “the belief in objectivity is a faith in ‘facts’, a distrust in ‘values’, and a commitment to their segregation”.

This author feels and believes that a journalist/reporter in order to attain the standard of objective journalism needs to practice the investigative method of gathering information and facts behind the screen. It would be evident that often some news reporters collect information from their known sources ignoring the facts lying with the other side which may have become a victim of the situation! A reporter should take the time to dig out actual facts and figures. Investigative journalism can ensure justice to all the parties.

A responsible press can help a society or a nation to flourish. A newspaper is said to be an unconventional court where people approach to seek justice. Journalists are the conscience of a social system. They must discharge their duties by following the code of ethics to put a social system into order through objective journalism.

The code of ethics the Society of Professional Journalists, one of the prominent forums of journalists in the United States states:

“Public enlightenment is the forerunner of justice and the foundation of democracy. The duty of the journalists 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 specialists strive to serve the public with thoroughness and honesty. Professional integrity is the cornerstone of a journalist’s credibility”.