Special Report: Ethics, Credibiity of Journalists

Newsrooms are as diverse as the educational backgrounds of journalists working there.

Many journalists have established good reputation in their respective newsrooms but not all of them are journalism or mass communication graduates.

The Freeman editor-in-chief Jerry Tundag differs in education of course than SunStar lifestyle reporter Orlando Cajegas, a registered nurse, but both are skilled journalists and among the credible men in the industry.

So, does a mass communication degree ensure credibility and good ethics in journalism? According to Sun.Star managing news editor Isolde Amante, being a mass communication degree holder is not an advantage in being ethical. "Ethics doesn't regard any background. Being ethical is a universal goal."

Journalists who finished other courses agree. The Freeman staff reporter Cristina Birondo, a political science graduate, says, "Mass-comm graduates violate ethics as well! We were not taught journalism ethics in our school but it is on how the person convey the ideals and principles."

Instilling the Ethics

Journalists basically should be independent, fair, accurate, honest, responsible, and decent.

According to the Nieman Reports-a journalism review in the US-every journalist must have a personal sense of ethics and responsibility, a moral compass.

Sun.Star president Jesus Garcia Jr., wrote the foreword in his paper's revised code of ethics saying that the code of ethics sets the fundamental guideposts that may lead journalist not only to reflect on the moral demands of his craft but also to improve his existing moral framework.

Also, the SPJ Code of Ethics states, "the duty of journalists is to seek the truth and provide fair and comprehensive account of events and issues. Serve the public with thoroughness and honesty."

But despite specific values in these codes, there are certain limitations. "We wanted journalism ethics to be absolute. But there are constraints. As much as we wanted it to be clear, there are gray areas that are hard to fill," Tundag says.

The Freeman copy editor Rolex Elmido adds, "Nothing is absolute! In practice, it is situational. The code of ethics is there to guide us, but lapses do happen. It is really up to the person."

The Nieman Reports says, "With the crush of deadlines and daily duties, most media professionals deal with ethical situations only on a case-by-case basis as dilemmas arise." Newsrooms also help its people to adhere to the code. Seminars are held to keep journalists objective and maintain credibility.

The Freeman staff reporter Joeberth Ocao says, "What the company does actually is continuous education, inculcating in everyone to remember and understand ethical standards. Proper education is not in the real world of journalism; it is in practice. They will learn salient ethics on the way."

Since seminars are not done often, newsrooms have made some considerations. As Tundag says, "It is hard to keep track of some journalists. Let their conscience be their best guide!"

Facing the Challenges

"Conscientious journalists from all media and specialties must strive to serve the public with thoroughness, honesty, and decency," according to the SPJ Code of Ethics.

However, journalists inevitably encounter challenges that test their ethical outlook. On top of these challenges are money matters-the most common hitting journalists.

Another newspaper editor is more frank: "People tend to give money. I refuse to be a hypocrite. Yes, I received money during the Marcos years. I wanted to return it, but where? I took the money but I'm not doing any favors for him. It didn't make me unethical in that manner. Perhaps, yes, technically, but if you dig and understand more, it can't be unethical. I am not corrupt, definitely not."

A local newspaper staff reporter discloses he was part of a group called the "moneygbasay." He says, "Back in Cagayan where I was a reporter (of another local newspaper), I experienced being corrupt before. When a source offered money, I accepted it! We were like dogs before; we scuffled over money! But that was the only and the last time."

The mere acceptance of money is a violation of the SPJ Code of Ethics. "Be wary of sources offering information for favors or money; avoid bidding news."

Handling money and gift situation differs. "A source once insisted giving me money, but I told him I won't accept it or else I will put this in my article," Cajegas said.

For Sun.Star chief of copy editors Noel Villaflor, "Although I won't get rich with my profession, I won't accept money or any gifts and favors from sources."

Other challenges include fair and unbiased reporting, conflict of interests, the source's reliability and their relationship with journalists.

In these predicaments, journalists refer to specific guidelines in the Code of Ethics. "We face the challenges using our own approach with the help of the Code," says Amante.

Credibility Maintenance

Ethics are guidelines to maintain journalist's treasured possession-credibility.

As Tundag says, "Credibility is very difficult to earn, yet so easy to lose. So I strive to be ethical at all times!"

Simple as ethics seem to be, practicing it is the difficult part. Although lapses occur, journalists consider it as normal setbacks that would strengthen them. Ethics doesn't have to be taught. It is lived; it is learned through experience.

Tundag says, "Writing is my life. So why would I corrupt my life then? I stick to the straight and narrow."

Stick to the Code of Ethics. Have the courage to say no. Avoid temptations. Stand firm. Love your work. Weigh right and wrong. These are the basics in being ethical in this profession.

"The Code of Ethics is a need for my job. I abide it to be worthy of public trust," Villaflor says.

Journalists love their work. In spite of the challenges they encounter, they remain in their chosen profession.

"Challenges itself are reasons enough in making me stay in the business! It keeps me on my toes. I always do the right things to the best of my knowledge," Cajegas says.

Among the challenges is the temptation of money offered as "help" or "gifts" from news sources to a journalist whose salary may just be a little above the poverty line.

On this context, Birondo says a journalist should opt for self-sacrifice, such as not lusting for more than what he or she earns. That way, a journalist would not be swayed to tempting offers.

Pineda says, "I live a simple life. I do away with unnecessary things that would lead me to spend more beyond my earnings! As for the challenges, the worst is expected in this kind of job. So the company must always ensure their workers' security to strengthen their conviction and to prevent temptation."