It is a standard of performance toward which we strive. We honor those who achieve it. There is no excuse for inaccuracies or lack of thoroughness. Newspaper headlines should be fully warranted by the contents of the articles they accompany. Photographs and telecasts should give an accurate picture of an event and not highlight a minor incident out of context.
Sound practice makes clear distinction between news reports and expressions of opinion.
News reports should be free of opinion or bias and represent all sides of an issue. Partisanship in editorial comment which knowingly departs from the truth violates the spirit of American journalism. Journalists recognize their responsibility for offering informed analysis, comment, and editorial opinion on public events and issues. They accept the obligation to present such material by individuals whose competence, experience, and judgment qualify them for it. Special articles or presentations devoted to advocacy or the writer's own conclusions and interpretations should be labeled as such.