What are Journalism Ethics: Definition, Principles, Relevance in Today's World and Future

What are Journalism Ethics: Definition, Principles, Relevance in Today's World and Future

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Aayushi
Aayushi Madavi
Associate Senior Executive
Updated on Jan 24, 2025 18:02 IST

Ethics are principles that keep us from causing harm. Check out what are these ethics in the field of journalism. 

What is Journalism Ethics

What are Journalism Ethics

What are Journalism Ethics? - Journalism, which is also called the "fourth pillar" of democracy plays a crucial role in building society and eventually the nation. It is not just about informing the public about current events but also spreading awareness, building harmony, educating the citizen, and making them aware of their rights. These responsibilities also give journalism a certain amount of power. Amidst all this, lies a set of journalism ethics that if followed, can build a great nation. 

Now the question is what exactly are Journalistic Ethics? Ethics in Journalism are the basic rules or principles that guide reporters, editors, and media organizations in their pursuit of truth and public service. In this article, we will do a deep dive into the concepts of journalism ethics, its principles, and its relevance in today's transforming media landscape. Read further to learn more. 

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What are Journalism Ethics?

Journalism ethics are the principles, or in simpler terms, a basic set of practices that journalists and media houses need to follow while reporting or covering an event. These ethics serve to guide journalists to uphold integrity, accuracy, fairness, bias, and accountability in their work. Today in the era of media commercialization where propaganda and narrative-based journalism have taken over true journalism, it becomes imperative to hold the essence of true journalism and by following these ethical practices, journalists can build trust among the public and uphold the democratic function of the press.

Q:   How can I stay motivated throughout my FTII JET preparation journey?

A:

Surround yourself with inspiration! Immerse yourself in cinema, attend film screenings, workshops, and masterclasses. Connect with mentors, alumni, and industry professionals to gain insights and stay motivated on your path to success.

Q:   How to prepare to get into IIMC - Delhi?

A:

Candidates must prepare well to get admission to the IIMC Delhi. The preparation starts with CUET preparation. Students must practice well for the CUET exam to score well and get into the IIMC Delhi Merit list. This can be done if students have done hard work and practiced well with the sample papers done beforehand. Students must also prepare well for the interview round in addition to the accepted entrance exam. 

Q:   What resources can I use to enhance my general awareness of FTII JET?

A:

Stay updated with current affairs through newspapers, magazines, and online news portals. Engage in discussions about socio-political events, cultural trends, and technological advancements to broaden your general awareness.

Journalistic Ethics Explained

Truth and Accuracy: Journalism is all about true reporting and being accurate with your facts. Journalists must seek and report the truth.

Independence: Journalists must be independent from outside influences while covering news. This way they will be unbiased in their approach. Journalists must not be influenced by propaganda makers and political agendas.

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Fairness and Impartiality: Reporters should do their best to present diverse perspectives and treat all subjects with fairness and impartiality. They must not get into favouritism.

Minimization of Harm: While reporting it is the basic responsibility of journalists to ensure that they don’t ask personal questions from individuals or don’t peep into their personal lives. They must also ensure to minimize harm to individuals by exercising sensitivity and discretion when dealing with sensitive issues.

Accountability: Media organizations and journalists should be accountable to the public. It can happen that while reporting they might make errors, but it is more important to issue an apology by acknowledging the errors.

Q:   Is Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) a good college/Institute?

A:
Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) is a reputed institute for PG Diploma, Certificate. Students can opt these programs to pursue their career in Mass Communication & Media, Animation. Institute has trained & experienced faculty who deliver these programs. Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) has a review rating of 3.8 on the basis of reviews by students. In addition to this, it has been rated 4.3 on campuslife, 3 on placements, 4.3 on faculty and 4 on Infrastructure.

Q:   How to approach the current affairs section of the FTII JET exam?

A:

To approach this section, candidates need to stay updated with recent events and developments, especially those related to the film and television industry. Familiarize yourself with filmmakers, actors, film festivals, awards, and emerging trends to excel in the current affairs section.

Q:   Is cracking the GMCET difficult?

A:

No, cracking the GMCET is not difficult. It is infact an easy exam which can be cracked with dedication and presevarance and bit of awareness. Aspirants just need to ensure that they are updated with the current affairs and general awareness topics on which the question paper will be based. It is generally advised to check the major events of the last 1 year while preparing for the exam and minor events of the last 6 months. Remeber the key names, organisations and personalties associated with these events. This strategy will not consume much time but it will help aspirants to score good in the exam.

Q:   What are some achievements of Manorama School of Communication, Kerala?

A:

Numerous media outlets have recognised the institute as one of India's top journalism colleges.
Numerous media publications, including the Outlook magazine, have ranked the print course as one of the best in India. It was created by writer and educator K. Thomas Oommen, who has led the school since its founding in 2002. 

Q:   Can I prepare for JMI Entrance Exam by practicing sample papers only?

A:

Many candidates have scored well by only practicing sample papers, but that is not the ideal way of JMI preparation for all candidates. To crack the JMI exam, the candidates must prepare with the help of books and tutorials for conceptual clarity and then move to practice sample papers. Many candidates who have attempted the JMI exam before, can practice only sample papers and score high because they already have conceptual clarity. However, those tempting the JMI for the first time must give equal importance to both books and sample papers.

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Challenges to Ethical Journalism 

There are several challenges that come in the way of ethical journalism. Some of them are - 

  • Sensationalism - In the media industry, viewership, clicks, and engagement directly translate into money. Media professionals often employ exaggerations, falsifications and embellishing to make their stories more interesting to their audiences. This keeps the news from spreading as it should. 
  • Personal Bias - Picking sides is human nature. Sometimes journalists bring their preferences and biases into their work which makes their journalism unethical. 
  • Political Affiliations & Influence - People in power are always concerned about their public image and what stories are being put out about them. They often go to great lengths and buy off journalism so that nothing controversial or defaming reaches their citizen. This prevents their position of power from being compromised. 
  • The ‘Going Viral’ Phenomenon - Limitless access to social media and the internet has made the dissemination of information a big game of telephone. People post and repost and add their own opinions, sarcasm and humour. The intent may be harmless, but someone encountering this processed news piece may be confused or may end up believing something entirely different. 

Relevance of Journalism Ethics in Today's World

Earlier during the British rule of India, journalism was all about creating awareness and bringing the nation together towards a singular cause of fighting for an independent India.n Slowly, the revolution was built and print media played a very important role in it. Today media commercialization has taken over the true essence of journalism, although some media houses still believe in reporting the facts, they are only limited to single digits as media moguls have foreshadowed them.

In today's digital age, journalism ethics has gone for a toss as money money-minded approach has taken over the truth. News has become a fast consumable item where users are quick to create a perception and make a narrative. With the proliferation of online news sources, social media platforms, and citizen journalism, the lines between fact and fiction have become blurred. This has led to the spread of misinformation, polarization, and distrust in the media.

During these foggy times, ethical journalism can serve as a bulwark by upholding standards of integrity, accuracy, and accountability.

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Going Forward

To sum it all up, it should be understood that journalism ethics serve as the bedrock of responsible journalism. It guided reporters and media organizations in their pursuit of truth, integrity, and accountability. Journalists need to avoid sensationalism or clickbait tactics and maintain trust with the public. They must adhere to ethical principles build credibility and foster a loyal readership base.

Journalists should follow these ethics to uphold democratic values and promote civic engagement. Ethical reporting will ensure that citizens are well-informed. This will enable them to make informed decisions and participate actively in democratic processes.

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FAQs on 'What are Journalism Ethics'

Q: How do journalists balance the need for truth with the pressure to meet deadlines?

A: Deadlines are important to get the work going, however in the race to reach the deadline journalists must prioritize accuracy and fact-checking to ensure the information they report is truthful and reliable.

Q: What ethical considerations should journalists keep in mind when using social media as a news source?

A: In the era of social media, where the number of shares and likes determine the relevancy of the information journalists should exercise caution when using social media as a news source. They must verify information from multiple reliable sources before reporting.

Q: Is it ethical for journalists to use anonymous sources?

A: In the field of media and journalism, going anonymous is sometimes necessary to protect the identity of whistleblowers or sources. Journalists should strive to provide as much transparency as possible multiple sources whenever feasible.

Q: How can journalists avoid conflicts of interest in their reporting?

A: By maintaining independence and transparency, journalists can avoid conflicts of interest. This is the only way going forward.

Q: What practices journalists must follow while reporting on sensitive topics?

A: While reporting on sensitive topics, such as violence or trauma journalists should exercise sensitivity and empathy and avoid gratuitous details or sensationalism that could cause harm to victims or communities.

Q: What is the role of transparency in journalism ethics?

A: Transparency plays an important role in journalism ethics as it is essential to foster trust with the public. Journalists should be transparent about their methods and motivations to maintain credibility.

About the Author
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Aayushi Madavi
Associate Senior Executive

Aayushi is a BAJMC graduate and an ardent consumer of content with a keen passion for film, TV and books. She specialises in Mass Communication and Humanities related exams, entrances and courses.