Responsible journalists keep promises and respect confidences. Failure to do so may put sources at risk. For that reason journalists must exercise care when promising anonymity to ensure that sources know what has and what has not been promised. The public is entitled to know whether a source is reliable. Question sources' motives and assess their risks before promising anonymity.
Journalists have a special obligation to preserve and strengthen freedom of speech and the press.
These freedoms bring with them special responsibilities to keep the public fully informed about the issues of the day. In exercising freedom, always seek the public good. Assist the public in understanding the function and role of the journalist in a democratic state, encourage the public to voice grievances against the media, and maintain open dialogue with the public. Pledge Adherence to this code is necessary to preserve and strengthen the bond of mutual trust and respect between journalists and the people. By programs of education and other means, the Society shall encourage individual journalists to adhere to these tenets, and shall encourage news organizations to recognize their responsibility to establish local codes of ethics to pursue these goals in concert with professional journalists and the public.