My Personal Code of Ethics

Preamble

In the following code of ethics, I promise to never lose my morals to ambition. While the script of life cannot be scripted out beforehand, I promise that wherever I tote around my reporter’s notebook, I will take these values with me.

1. Be Truthful

a. When I report on stories, I will pursue the truth and take no shortcuts to a story. Indeed, I will do the work necessary to uncover all the information in order to best inform my audience. Even if I am under pressure and am rushed to meet deadline, I will never fabricate or plagiarize. Furthermore, I will recognize the difference between reporting what is accurate and what is true. While a quote may be accurate, it may not be true. I pledge to do my best to publish the truth. I understand that if I abandon this principle, I will be hurting all those who read my words.

i. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, wo be unto him that lieth to deceive because he supposeth that another lieth to deceive, for such are not exempt from the justice of God” (D&C 10:28).

ii. “How rare a gem, how precious a jewel is the man or woman in whom there is neither guile nor deception nor falsehood!” (President Gordon B. Hinckley, We Believe in Being Honest).

2. Defend the Right to Write

a. People often vehemently defend their own way of thinking. They see in their selective opinions on controversial topics an embodiment of who they are as a person. In my writing as a journalist, I will defend the right of writers to express their opinions in editorial pieces. Likewise, I will respect readers’ responses to articles. Indeed, I will defend a person’s right to express opinions that I disagree with. We cannot smother another’s opinions and force them to dress in our own beliefs. Rather, we must allow writers to write that which they believe.

i. “Monsieur l'abbé, I detest what you write, but I would give my life to make it possible for you to continue to write'' (Voltaire, Schindler.org).

3. Assert My Independence

a. When I write a story, I will not be sold by bribes. No promise of money or promotion will keep me from publishing the truth. Neither will I espouse myself to political organizations, which could caste doubt on my ability to report fairly.

i. “Remain free of associations and activities that may compromise integrity or damage credibility” (SPJ Code of Ethics).

ii. “Personal integrity implies such trustworthiness and incorruptibility that we are incapable of being false to a trust or covenant” (Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, Personal Integrity).

4. Accept Responsibility for My Actions

a. When something goes awry in a newsroom, I know the tendency can be to point fingers. However, I will accept responsibility for my actions. If I make a mistake, I will admit it and do whatever possible to fix that mistake. Furthermore, I will apologize to my readers, explain the reasons behind my mistake, and make a plan for it to never happen again. I want my readers to be able to trust me and I understand that for this to happen, I need to admit my shortcomings to them.

i. “Admit mistakes and correct them promptly” (SPJ Code of Ethics).

ii. “But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever” (Psalms 51:8).

5. Consider All Sides

a. Growing up with sisters, I know that there can be multiple perspectives on how a disagreement or conflict originates. Knowing this, I will make sure to listen to a range of voices from those involved in each of the stories I cover. I will never use one source but will dedicate myself to pursuing quotes from multiple sources. I will not let my particular opinions tempt me into using just the quotes that suit my particular opinions.

i. “Support the open exchange of views, even views they find repugnant” (SPJ Code of Ethics).

6. Be a Responsible Watchdog

a. As a journalist, I will try and protect citizens by monitoring the actions of government, business, and other figureheads. I will not allow the mighty few to take advantage of the public. I realize that to uncover corruption, investigative reporting is necessary. When acting as an investigative journalist, I will be careful about using anonymous sources, making sure to validate their claims. In my pursuit of the truth, I plan to look into stories that concern and affect the lives of citizens. Indeed, I want to do more than investigate what a particular celebrity ate for lunch.

i. “Always question sources’ motives before promising anonymity. Clarify conditions attached to any promise made in exchange for information. Keep promises” (SPJ Code of Ethics).

7. Demonstrate Compassion

a. The other day, I was reading the paper in my weight training class. My coach was looking at the paper with me. When he finished reading he said, “I am now smarter,” and after a pause, “and more upset.” Our world is not a perfect place. Consequentially, I understand that the news is often bleak and troubling. Indeed, the news is often an interviewee’s personal tragedy. As a journalist, I will demonstrate compassion to those who are the subjects of tragedies. I will not demand quotes from those who wish to suffer silently. Nor will I mistreat those who do confide their tragic stories to me.

i. “Ethical journalists treat sources, subjects and colleagues as human beings deserving of respect” (SPJ Code of Ethics).

ii. “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle” (Plato, Quotationspage.com).

iii. “Let us all recognize that each of us is a son or daughter of our Father in Heaven, who loves all of His children” (President Gordon B. Hinckley, The Need for Greater Kindness).

8. Be an Advocate for the Suffering

a. I am afraid to leave the world without first doing something to make it a better place. As a journalist, I wish to point out those who are alone, lost, abused and demand that they be noticed. Did those in ancient Jerusalem know about the leprosy colonies? Did an ancient newspaper right about the leper’s condition? As a modern-day journalist, I will point out the metaphorical leper colonies. I simply want to be my brother’s keeper. Unlike Cain of the Bible, I will know where my brother is and I will tell the world about his needs.

i. “The Lord said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Genesis 4:9).

ii. “God bless all who endeavor to be their brother’s keeper, who give to ameliorate suffering, who strive with all that is good within them to make a better world. Have you noticed that such individuals have a brighter smile?” (President Thomas S. Monson, Our Brothers’ Keepers).