Evidence is vital in news reporting
Some witnesses are more credible than others, and some are not. It’s important to remember that witnesses can contradict each other, and there’s always a potential for error, distortion, and bias in any information source. This should encourage a cautious and critical approach to news reporting. An affidavit is a legal document, and once it […]
Depiction – a canon manipulated by the media
Diction (the words chosen by a writer or author) can be positive or negative, depending on how a word is applied. Unethical news reporters use deception to create impressions or appearances different from reality. ‘Depiction is a canon of visual rhetoric widely manipulated by the media’—falsehoods refer to acts or statements that mislead, hide the […]
The ethical principle of truth – What does it mean?
The ethical principle of truth refers to the facts that are real and verified or accepted as the truth. It does not include someone’s perception of the truth. Journalists are responsible for providing truthful and comprehensive accounts of the subjects they report on. Failure to adhere to this principle can lead to misinformation, loss of […]
How to identify a smear campaign in the media
A smear campaign, a form of character assassination through false allegations, employs discrediting tactics such as labelling, relentless attacks, removal of context, omission of critical information, image manipulation, guilt by association, unverifiable rumours, distortion of facts, blatant lies, and half-truths. It’s crucial for the audience to be aware of these tactics and take responsibility for […]
Journalists: Upholders of the Presumption of Innocence
Journalists should embrace the journalistic code of ethics as a guide for ethical behaviour in the newsroom. The terms ‘journalist’ and ‘news reporter’ are used interchangeably, but notable differences in the scope of their work distinguish them from one another. Both focus on collecting and disseminating information, but while journalists often cover a range of […]
News headlines are crucial and should be ethical
News headlines are crucial and should be ethical. Apart from grabbing attention, it should announce the content of the article. Headlines grab our attention, and we trust what we read. But should we? Editors should steer clear of meaningless puns, clever wordplay, and emotive words. Most importantly, they should avoid sensationalism. Sensational news headlines can […]
Journalism should be in the interest of the public
The public interest always guides the media’s work, which describes information of legitimate interest or importance to citizens. Investigative news and local democracy reporting are generally regarded as ‘public interest journalism’, but is this always the case? For instance, a news report that uncovers a significant environmental hazard or a corruption scandal in a public […]
What are media ethics?
The intentional spread of fake news, masked as news in the public’s interest, has escalated over the years, advancing a hidden agenda or generating advertorial revenues. False statements have become ‘alternative facts’, and the news industry has reached a new low. Consumers can no longer trust the media, and the media should work harder to […]
