Journalistic Standards

We often believe what we hear at first, don’t we? Scripture declares this clearly.

The first to present his case seems right, till another comes forward and questions him.   (Proverbs 18:17)

Moms will tell you, when a younger sibling presents his case of unfair treatment at the hands of an older brother or sister, Mama Bear kicks in and immediately wants to deliver justice on the accused. No one wishes to meet her wrath.

Yet, when the frustration settles, we often discover the truth. All seems right until we come forward and question the “offended” child. Some digging repeatedly reveals holes in the child’s story.

But what happens when journalists refuse to come forward and ask questions? What happens when they simply believe what they’ve read or heard at first? In short, what happens when they refuse to do their research? What happens to the accused?

The answer is simple: the journalist creates more suspicion, essentially tampers the evidence and ultimately causes harm.

I recently received notice from one such journalist – someone who decided to end our working relationship due to false allegations – claiming a violation in “journalistic standards.”

How can this be? I received no questions to answer. No one was contacted for comment. No gathering of facts. Just a simple “guilty by slander” verdict handed down upon the innocent.

A perusal of The Society of Professional Journalists’ code of ethics provides clear expectations of true journalistic standards.

Journalists should “seek the truth and report it.”

“ Journalists should be honest, fair and courageous in gathering, reporting and interpreting information.”

Among other practices, journalists should:

— Test the accuracy of information from all sources and exercise care to avoid inadvertent error. Deliberate distortion is never permissible.
— Diligently seek out subjects of news stories to give them the opportunity to respond to allegations of wrongdoing.
—— Always question sources’ motives before promising anonymity

Furthermore, journalists should minimize harm.

Ethical journalists treat sources, subjects and colleagues as human beings deserving of respect.

Journalists should:

— Show compassion for those who may be affected adversely by news coverage.
— Recognize that gathering and reporting information may cause harm or discomfort. Pursuit of the news is not a license for arrogance.

I know someone who thrives on causing harm. Defamation of character and ruining someone’s reputation is the name of the game – all in the name of reporting, of course.

Whatever ever happened to the presumption of innocence? You remember – a man is innocent until proven guilty.

Goodness, NBC’s altering data and unfair reporting of the George Zimmerman case ought to teach us all to question what we read or hear at first.

Let us all be careful who we listen to and what we say or don’t say!

"Do not spread false reports. Do not help a wicked man by being a malicious witness.   (Exodus 23:1)

A false witness will perish, and whoever listens to him will be destroyed forever.  (Proverbs 21:28)