AJA Code of Ethics

Okay... I didn't mean for this post to be so boring. I wanted to upload a video of Australia that I created before going to Europe. I made that so that the other people in my group could learn a little bit of Australia and see what it is like here. However, the file couldn't upload- for some reason. Maybe it's too big. :(

So I've decided to just post the Australian Journalists Association's Code of Ethics that I'm trying to memorise at the moment for the test coming up on monday. It's amazing, the kind of boring stuff they make you memorise at uni!! Memorising the geneologies in the Bible have to be more interesting!

But this isn't too bad, so don't worry. :P

AJA Code of Ethics

Preamble: Respect for truth and the public's right to information are fundamental principles of journalism. Journalists describe society to itself. They convey information, ideas and opinions, a privileged role. They search, disclose, record, question, entertain, suggest and remember. They inform citizens and animate democracy. They give a practical form to freedom of expression. Many jounalists work in private enterprise, but all have these public responsiblities. They sctutinise power, but also exercise it, and should be accountable. Accountability engenders trust. Without trust, journalists do not fulfil their public responsibilites. MEAA members engaged in journalism commit themselves to

Honesty

Fairness

Independence

Respect for the rights of others

1. Report and interpret honesty, striving for accuracy, fairness, and disclosure of all essential facts. Do not suppress relevant available facts, or give distorting emphasis. Do your utmost to give a fair opportunity for reply.

2. Do not place unnecessary emphasis on personal characteristics, including race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, age, sexual orientation, family relationships, religious belief, or physical or intellectual disability.

3. Aim to attribute information to its source. Where a source seeks anonymity, do not agree without first considering the source’s motives and any alternative attributable source. Where confidences are accepted, respect them in all circumstances.

4. Do not allow personal interest, or any belief, commitment, payment, gift or benefit, to undermine your accuracy, fairness or independence.

5. Disclose conflicts of interest that affect, or could be seen to affect, the accuracy, fairness or independence of your journalism. Do not improperly use a journalistic position for personal gain.
6. Do not allow advertising or other commercial considerations to undermine accuracy, fairness or independence.

7. Do your utmost to ensure disclosure of any direct or indirect payment made for interviews, pictures, information or stories.

8. Use fair, responsible and honest means to obtain material. Identify yourself and your employer before obtaining any interview for publication or broadcast. Never exploit a person’s vulnerability or ignorance of media practice.

9. Present pictures and sound which are true and accurate. Any manipulation likely to mislead should be disclosed.

10. Do not plagiarise.

11. Respect private grief and personal privacy. Journalists have the right to resist compulsion to intrude.

12. Do your utmost to achieve fair correction of errors.

Guidance Clause: Basic values often need interpretation and sometimes come into conflict. Ethical journalism requires conscientious decision-making in context. Only substantial advancement of the public interest or risk of substantial harm to people allows any standard to be overridden.

Boring, huh? Told you so... Oh yeah. In order not to breach code 10, here's the link: http://www.australian-news.com.au/codethics.htm