Journalism Code of Ethics

 http://www.spj.org/ethicscode.asp -

In light of what Alan November was saying about knowing what is going on and always being sure of what you report...  it is never a bad idea to review the journalism code of ethics and how we should all strive to act.

Legal and ethical issues of Journalists

In an effort to make everyone more aware of what responsibility every journalist has, you will all be completing investigative feature articles regarding one of the following topics... (this will ensure the school's understanding as well as your own on the important matters)

• First Amendment
• Plagiarism
• John Peter Zenger Trial
• Public Forum Theory for School publications
• Prior Review
• Editorial policy: Its relationship to censorship
• Censorship
• Press law legistlation in Post-Hazelwood Era
• Unprotected Speech
• Libel: Definitions and defenses
• Protecting Privacy
• Responsible newsgathering
• Shield laws
• Reporter's Privilege
• Electronic media regulation
• obscenity, indecency and pornography
• intellectual property
• Code of ethics for journalists (society for professional jouranlists, American society of newspaper editors, etc.)
• Implications of the Use of technology
• Court cases:
• West Virginia STate Board of Education v Barnette, 1943
• Tinker v Des Moines Indendent Community School District, 1969
• Bethel School District v. Fraser, 1986
• Kuhlmeier v Hazelwood Board of Education, 1987