Feed our brains
Jennifer McLain and I received an e-mail last week from a reader who wanted to offer some "food for thought." Here are some excerpts:
You may want to embrace some of the ethical rules highlighted below.
SOCIETY OF PROFESSIONAL JOURNALISTS - CODE OF ETHICS
Preamble
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.
-- Test the accuracy of information from all sources and exercise care to avoid inadvertent error. Deliberate distortion is never permissible.
-- Make certain that headlines, news teases and promotional material, photos, video, audio, graphics, sound bites and quotations do not misrepresent. They should not oversimplify or highlight incidents out of context.
-- Distinguish between advocacy and news reporting. Analysis and commentary should be labeled and not misrepresent fact or context.
-- Show good taste. Avoid pandering to lurid curiosity.
--Avoid conflicts of interest, real or perceived.
-- Admit mistakes and correct them promptly.
-- Expose unethical practices of journalists and the news media.
-- Abide by the same high standards to which they hold others.
http://www.tmz.com
Is membership required? Tell them to piss off. I like your coverage.