The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1922-02-15
Editorial Code
Of Ethics
Oregon Editors Adopt Guide
For Journalism

Eugene. ore. rep. u.--otttIIlS = al
standard based upon truth. sim
cerity. thoroughneSs. justice. mercy.
kindness, and moderation. the
Oregon State Editorial Association
adopted recently at % meeting here
q code OF ethics intended TO be q
guide 10 the profession Of journal
! ism in the state.
The code was prepared by Dean
Colin Dymcnt, of the University Of
Oregon, 1T the direction OF the as
sociation. and was unanimously
approved by 4 representative gath
cling Of Oregon editors and pub
fishers who pledged themselves 70
adhere 70 its preccpts.
There arc seven sections TO the
code and they go in detail into al
practices and relationships OF jour
naliSm. The first is headed Sin
ccrity and Truth and declared for
accuracy in editorial. advertise
mcrt. article or news story.
Care. Competency. Thorough
ness is the caption OF til" second
section which includes among its
declarations the following: by
study and inquiry and observation.
We VIII constantly aim 10 improve
ourselves. so that our writings
may he moro authentic. and OF
greater pcrp"ctivc. and more con-
ducive 10 the social good.
Protection. within reason. nf the
rights OF Individuals mentioned in
public documents. regardless OF the
effect on good stories or upon
editorial policies, is a principle in
cludcd in the section devoted TO
Justice. Mercy. Kindliness." This
section also declares against max
ing privileged utlerance' cloak
for unjust attack, or spiteful vent
ing. or carelcssneSs in nvestiga-
ton, in the cases Of parties orsper-
sons.
We will cndeavOr TO avoid the
Injustice that springs from haSty
conclusion in editorial or reporter
ial or intcrpretative practice IS
n principle laid down in section 4.
devoted 10 Moderation. ConScrva-
tism. Proportion This section
also provides against distortion of
news by improper emphasis. skill
ful arrangements or by devices Of
typography or rhetoric.
The section declaring against
partnership and propaganda sets
forth the following We will not
permit. unless in exceptional cases,
the publishing Of news and editor
ial matter not prepared, by our
selves or our staiis, believing that
original matter is the best answer
TO the peril OF propaganda.
No man who is not in ethical
j advance Of the average Of his COM
munity should be in the profess
! sion of journalism" is a declara-
ton in the section devoted to Pub
lie Service and Social Policy" We
will keep our writings and our pub
! LEGATIONS free from unrehnement,
except SO far as we may sincerely
believe publication Of sordid details
70 be for the social good, says
one article of this section.
On advertising and circulation
the code pledges the Oregon news
+! papermcn 10 cooperate with those
special agencies whose business ii
! is TO raise the ethical standards
OF ADVERTISING and to bar such ad-
ver1isins which the publisher has
I reason TO believe Will deceive the
reader.
+! I'VE will not advertise our own
, newspaper or its circulation boast
fully or otherwise in terms not in
harmony with the clauses Of this
( code OF ethics is another pro-
F.! vision of this section which con-
! cluGes with the following: we will
s.. not make our printing facilities
available for tho production OF ad-
vertisinS which we believe to be
socially harmful or fraudulent in its
intent.