Mind your ethics
There are some things that we take for granted in the newsroom everyday--rules that are not written down but that every practitioner of journalism knows exist and abides by.
Author line: The INDIAN EXPRESS urges its staffers to be scrupulous in their ethical conduct.
The executive editor of the Indian Express sent this mail out recently. Apparently the immediate provocation was a food critic in Mumbai plugging her own eatery, and a real estate correspondent taking a discount on booking a flat in Noida. Along with the recent SEBI guidelines for those covering the financial sector, it constitutes another welcome initiative in cleaning up the profession.
"There are some things that we take for granted in the newsroom everyday--rules that are not written down but that every practitioner of journalism knows exist and abides by.
Newspapers have learnt to trust its journalists to decide what is right and wrong, what can be done and what can't be done--and to define where the line is.
This profession is all about trust and rarely do we come across instances of journalists crossing the line--at least in our newspaper.
An incident of reported conflict of interest has prompted this note to underline the seriousness with which The Indian Express disapproves of its writers entering into business contracts. Avoiding all conflict-of-interest situations--even the potential of one--is key to the newspaper's credibility as has been restated in our code of ethics. Here is the part on conflict of interest from the code of ethics which is part of our new contract:
*As a principle, acceptance of expensive gifts is to be discouraged. While inexpensive gifts are fine, any gifts of inappropriate nature must be immediately brought to the attention of the Managing Editor. As a general rule, journalists should not accept free invites to events not free to the public. The only exceptions are the obvious ones -- a clearly labeled press box ticket or a dinner invite. Items that are received for review -books, personal technology products, CDs and DVDs etc. - cannot be resold, are the property of The Express Group and should not be taken away.
*In all commercial transactions, journalists will not seek discounts which are not available to the general public or arranged via a block deal with the Express Group.
*Readers expect our Group Publications to review art, books, cultural events, restaurants and films with complete objectivity. The reporter or the critic concerned will not accept any hospitality or gift that gives the slightest impression of a favour. Any necessary expenses incurred by the reporter/critic for coverage or review will be reimbursed after necessary verifications and approvals. And, if not, the name of the sponsor will be clearly mentioned in the piece.
*Journalists are required to disclose to the Editor-in-Chief/ Managing Editor any financial interests (including those of their immediate family) that might be in conflict, or give the appearance of conflict, with their reporting or editing duties.
*Any disclosure after an alleged breach of the ethics Code will not be considered as a mitigating factor.
We are especially sensitive to potential conflicts of interest in the coverage of business and the financial markets.
*Under no circumstances must journalists buy or sell shares using information they accessed at The Express Group, before that information has been published. No journalist will buy shares or have a financial interest in any company about which he or she prepares or supervises coverage without disclosure.
*All section heads and all journalists of Principal Correspondents and above rank will not trade in derivatives. Any shares bought must be held for at least one year and the total shareholding (including those of their immediate family, parents in case of single, spouses) disclosed every six months in a closed envelope to the Managing Editor/Editor-in-Chief.
*We avoid becoming participants in partisan causes -- whether through politics, advocacy groups or public demonstrations -- that could seem to compromise our independence. This does not, however, limit our commitment to advocate causes via editorials that, in our view, pursue journalism of courage. In such cases, special care must be taken to demonstrate our independence from other participants in these causes.
*No journalist from The Express Group will sign any public petition unless the newspaper itself decides to be a signatory. Even when a petition seems minor, like one asking for a bus-stop in a neighbourhood, any participation has to be cleared by the Managing Editor. "
Subscribe To The Newsletter