New technology
introduces some ethical challenges to professional communicators. Users
expect information quickly and to be informed quickly about breaking events.
Journalists have an obligation to provide accurate, quality information
in a timely manner to respond to consumer expectations. However, the fast
pace of new technology may cause journalists to experience pressure to publish
information before verifying its authenticity. Publishing inaccurate
information may result in damaging and far-reaching effects as users may share
that information quickly through digital media. Additionally, publishing
inaccurate information can compromise a journalist’s reputation.
The Society of Professional
Journalists Code of Ethics discusses the importance to “seek truth and
report it”
(Code of Ethics, adopted 1996, para.
2). Regardless of changes in technology, professional journalists
have an obligation to uphold journalism standards and ensure the information
they share with consumers is vetted. Jeff Jarvis, Professor and Director
of the Tow-Knight Center for Entrepreneurial Journalism at the City University
of New York, discusses the concept of ethical transparency online.
To
keep up with the pace of digital media and ensure the accuracy of information,
journalists can maintain a list of sources proven ethical. Having that
type of resource in place will reduce the time it takes to produce quality
publications in the fast-paced environment of digital media.
Click Here to read Steve
Buttry’s Blog about the SPJ Code of Ethics and new technology.
Sources:
Buttry, S. (2010, November
7). Journalists' Code of Ethics: Time for an Update? Retrieved from The
Buttry Diary: Buttry, S. (2010, November 7). Journalists' Code of Ethics: Time
for an Update? Retrieved from The Buttry Diary:
http://stevebuttry.wordpress.com/2010/11/07/journalists-code-of-ethics-time-for-an-update/
Code of Ethics. (adopted 1996). Retrieved
from Society of Professional Journalists: http://www.spj.org/ethicscode.asp
Integrity/Compromise
Image. (Retrieved
2014). Retrieved from https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXdVs8x2eWYxowDlM1lyA3WXX3xbP0Kup07asww0pLY8prSbTTMAnnLG136k_O0tNGiDUKvc2Hgx-AcleMWNFJCOB1iVb6Eqg-fSiKOUQs7OkpFyKq6MvdP3zjvwWxeJVyy2qjBY7bVpJC/s320/ethics.jpg
Jarvis, J. (2012, April 23).
Jeff Jarvis on a Journalistic Code of Ethics. Retrieved from YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVAePShP50M
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