East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1922-01-23

OF all agencies employed by man,
the printed word is most widely diff
fused and most powerful. The print
ed word is the single instrument of the
profession we represent, and the ex-
tent to which 1t is shaping the
thoughts and the conduct OF peoples
is measureless. We therefore pro-
nounce the ethical responsibility of
journalism the greatest Of the profess
sional responsibilities and we desire
to accept our responsibility, now and
hereafter, to the utmost extent that
In right and reasonable In our respec-
tice circumstances Accordingly we
adopt for our guidance the following
code:
Sincerity; Truth--The foundation
of ethical journalism is sincerity, The
sincere Journalist will be honest alike
in his purpose and in his writings. To
fhe best of his capacity TO ascertain
truth, he will always be truthful. It
is his attitude toward truth that dis
tinguishes the ethical from the uneth-
ical writer. 1t is naturally not pos
sible that all writing can be without
error but II can always he without de-
liberate error. There Is no place In
journalism for the dissembler, the dis
torter. the prevaricator. the suppress
sor or the dishonest thinker.
We will put accuracy above all other
considerations in the written word,
whether editorial, advertisement, ar
ticle or news story. We will interpret
accuracy not merely as the absence OF
actual misstatement, but as the pres
ence of whatever is necessary to pre-
vent the reader from making false
deduction In an ethical attitude to-
ward truth, we will be open at all
times to conviction, for the sincere
journalist, while fearless and firm,
will never be stubborn; therefore we
will never decline to hear and consid-
er new evidence. If new evidence
forces a change OF opinion, we VIII be
as free In the acknowledgment of the
new opinion as In the utterance of the
old. We will promote n similar atti-
tude In others toward truth, not ask
Ing or permitting employees to write
things which as sincere journalists we
would not ourselves write.
Care; Competency; Thoroughness---
Inaccuracy In journalism Is commonly
due more to lack of mental equipment
than to wilfulness of attitude. The III
equipped man cannot be more compe-
tent as Journalist than he can as n
doctor or engineer. Given an ethical
attitude. the contribution that each
journalist makes TO his community and
TO society is nearly in ratio to his COM
potency. BY study and inquiry and
observation we will constantly aim to
improve ourselves SO, that our writ
ings may be mke A,Jhentic and of
greater perspectiSe aihlsAnore condu-
Give to the social Foo& We will con-
slider It an essential iH those we em-
ploy that they not merely be of ethical
attitude. but reasonably equipped to
carry out their ideals.
We will make careful our devotion
in the preparation of statements of
fact and in the utterance of opinion.
We will advocate In our respective
communities the same thoroughness.
sound preparation and pride of craft
that we ourselves desire in ourselves.
our employees and our associates. We
I are accordingly the active enemies of
superficiality and prctense.
Justice; Mercy, Kindliness- Liberty
of The press is. by constitution. statute