CANONS OF JOURNALISM SYED M SAQIB Define Canons

CANONS OF JOURNALISM SYED M. SAQIB

Define Canons? � Formulas � Rules � Guidelines � A document may outline the mission and values of the business or organization, how professionals are supposed to approach problems, the ethical principles based on the organization's core values and the standards to which the professional will be held.

� To perform all the journalistic functions and duties canons or code of ethics are set forth. � The 7 canons of journalism are a necessity to know for all journalists � They were adopted in 1923 by the American Society of Newspaper Editors. They are the basic guidelines on how to conduct yourself as journalists.

RESPONSIBILITY: � considerations of public welfare FREEDOM OF THE PRESS � Freedom of the press is to be guarded as a vital right of mankind � 1 st Amendment � The rights are to be guarded freedom of the press should be taken seriously though and not pushed to any extremes.

INDEPENDENCE � Independence is pretty much saying independence from sources, politics and advertisers � Promotion of any private interest contrary to the general welfare, for whatever reason, is not compatible with honest journalism � Prejudice, in editorial comment which knowingly departs from the truth,

SINCERITY, TRUTHFULNESS, ACCURACY: � Good faith with the reader is the foundation of all journalism

IMPARTIALITY � Sound practice makes clear distinction between news reports and expressions of opinion. � News reports should be free from opinion or bias of any kind.

FAIR PLAY � A newspaper should not publish unofficial charges affecting reputation or moral character without opportunity given to the accused to be heard ; right practice demands the giving of such opportunity in all cases of serious accusation outside judicial proceedings.

� It is the privilege, as it is the duty, of a newspaper to make prompt and complete correction of its own serious mistakes of fact or opinion

DECENCY � Papers should avoid deliberate pandering to vicious instincts such as details of crime and vice. You don’t want to be called insincere, so make sure you follow the seventh canon.

Some Useful Information: � Reporting the truth is never libel, which makes accuracy very important � � Private persons have privacy rights that must be balanced against the public interest in reporting information about them. � In Canada, there is no such immunity; reports on public figures must be backed by facts. 3.

� Public figures have fewer privacy rights in U. S. law, where reporters are protected from a civil case if they have reported without hatred. � � Publishers vigorously defend libel lawsuits filed against their reporters, usually covered by libel insurance.

Current Codes of Ethics � Adopted by the General Assembly of the Committee of the Press, 1972 � his general meeting of the Press Consultative. Committee, held at Karachi on March 17, 1972, decides to adopt the principles of the Codes as herein set forth.

� Following are to be avoided in any form of publication, such as articles, news items, photographs and advertisements: � Immorality � Vulgar or obscenity. and derogatory expressions against individuals, institutions or groups

� false allegations against individuals, institutions, newspapers or publications � Religious sectarianism; arousing one sect against another � Glamorization � Presentation of crime of news items and comments on events should be fair and objective and there should beno willful departure from facts.

� Headlines should not materially distort the contents of the news. � 4. Off-the-record briefings should not be published. � 5. The journalist should be entitled to protect his sources of information and respect confidence placed in him. � Embargoes on release dates of news, articles and pictures, should be rigorously observed.

� Justified corrections or denials sent as a result of any incorrect information published by newspapers, periodicals or news agencies should be published within the shortest possible period of time so as to effectively eliminate the impression created by the original publication which necessitated the issuance of a correction or denial.

� Press shall not publish news or comment, photographs or advertisements which may undermine the security of the state or the solidarity of the nation � The press shall refrain from publishing anything likely to undermine the loyalty and allegiance of he Armed Forces of Pakistan.

� Dealing with any situation, the press shall restrict itself to factual reporting of events without in any way encouraging or providing any form of disturbance. � No newspaper shall accept in any form or shape any financial and pecuniary advantage or obligations from or on behalf of any foreign country or concern.

The personnel of the Press must never accept any form of bribe or permit personal interest to influence their sense of justice and impartiality.