The document discusses various recent publications focused on ethics guidelines for journalists. It describes updated codes of ethics from the Society of Professional Journalists and guiding principles from a book edited by Kelly McBride and Tom Rosenstiel. It also summarizes crowd-sourced ethics "building blocks" from ONA, a plagiarism and fabrication guide from several journalism groups, and handbooks on verification and rules for local news startups. The document advocates for continued discussion on ethics from groups like the Reuters Institute and voices like Jay Rosen, and endorses Bob Steele's 10 questions for guiding ethical decisions.

1. The Broader
Ethics Discussion
Steve Buttry
Society of Professional Journalists
Sept. 6, 2014

2. Slides, links & more
• stevebuttry.wordpress.com
• slideshare.net/stevebuttry
• @stevebuttry
• stephenbuttry@gmail.com

4. SPJ Code of Ethics
• Surely you know about this
• First update since 1996
• Final draft due for vote today, 3-5 p.m.
• Progress but I’m disappointed
• Thanks to Ethics Committee for work on
revision

6. Guiding Principles
for the Journalist
• Edited by Kelly McBride & Tom Rosenstiel
• Core values used to be truth,
independence, minimizing harm
• Now: Truth, transparency, community
• Book: Mostly philosophical essays rather
than detailed journalistic guidance

9. ONA DIY “building blocks”
• Collaboration led by Tom Kent
• Committee wrote drafts, then
crowdsourced editing
• Spells out core agreements: Tell the
truth, avoid conflicts, don’t plagiarize …
• Recognizes differing approaches on
impartiality & point of view, other issues

11. Plagiarism/Fabrication
• Followed 2012’s “Summer of Sin”
• Several journalism groups collaborated
• Writing led by William Connolly
• Ebook and “summit” at ACES 2013
• Defines plagiarism, advice on prevention,
detection & response
• RJI’s most-downloaded ebook

12. Why linking is ethical
• Best form of attribution in digital
platforms
• Provides depth
• Provides context
• Shows your work
• Lack of links can be a red flag

14. Verification Handbook
• Project of European Journalism Centre
• Edited by Craig Silverman
• Not just for journalists
• Specific how-to chapters (& case studies)
on crowdsourcing, verifying images,
video, UGC, etc.

16. Rules of the Road
• Published by J-Lab
• Written by Scott Rosenberg
• Focuses on local news startups
• Recognizes involvement in community by
some local journalists
• Chapters on police reports, privacy,
advocacy, corrections & revisions, etc.

17. More ethics discussion

18. More ethics discussion

19. More discussion
• Reuters Institute for the Study of
Journalism
• Ethics symposia: University of Colorado,
Washington & Lee
• Jay Rosen: “view from nowhere,” “he-said-
she-said” stories
• Other individual voices?

21. Still excellent guidance
• Bob Steele’s 10 questions to guide ethical
decisions
• Published by Poynter in 2002
• A process, not principles
• Applies to any platform or situation
• Applies to objective or point-of-view
journalism

22. Steele’s 10 Questions
1. What do I know?
Need to know?
2. What’s journalistic
purpose?
3. Ethical concerns?
4. What do policies &
guidelines say?
5. Involve others?
6. Stakeholders?
7. How would I feel?
8. Consequences?
9. Alternatives?
10.How can I justify to
colleagues?
Stakeholders?
Public?

23. Slides, links & more
• stevebuttry.wordpress.com
• slideshare.net/stevebuttry
• @stevebuttry
• stephenbuttry@gmail.com