The Bismarck tribune., 1922-02-08
EDITORS TO
SET A NEW
STANDARD
Adopts a Code of Ethics Intend.
ed To Be Guide To Their
Profession
HAS SEVEN SECTIONS

Eugene, Or2., req. o-oeLtlue
standard based upon truth, sincerity
thoroughness, justice, mercy, kindll-
ness and moderation, the Oregon
State Editorial association adopted
recently at a meeting here a code OF
ethics intended to be guide to the
profession OF journalism IN the state
The cole was prepared by Dean
Colin Dyment, of the University OF
Oregon, at the direction of the asso-
citation, and was unanimously APPROX
ed by representative gathering of
Oregon editors and publishers who
pledged themselves to adhere to its
precepts.
There ara seven sections to the
code and they go in detail into all
practices and relationships Of journal
ism. The first is headed Sincerity
and Truth" and declared for accuracy
in editorial, advertisement, article Or
news story.
Care, COMPETENCY, Thoroughness"
is the caption of the second section
which includes among it's declarations
the, fOlll)wing: "By study and inquiry
and observation, we will constantly
aim to improve ourselves, so that our
writings may be more authentic, and
of greater perspective, and more con-
ducive to the social good"
Protection, within reason, of the
rights of individuals mentioned in pub
lie documents, regardless of the ef'
Cect on "good stories" or upon editor.
ial policies, "is principle included
in the section devoted to Justice.
Mercy. Kindliness." This section also
declares against making "privileged
utterance" cloak for unjust attack,
or spiteful venting, or carelessness in
investigation, in the cases OF parties
or persons
To Avoid Injustice
"We will endeavor to avoid the in
justice that springs from hasty con-
clusion in editorial or reportorial o1
interpretativa practice is principle
laid down in section 4, devoted to
Moderation, Conservatism, Proper
ton" This section also provides
against distortion of news by impro
per emphasis, skillful arrangements
or by devices of Typography or rhe-
tOric.
The section declaring against parti-
sanship and propaganda sets forth the
following 1--WE will mot permit unless
in exceptional cases, the publishing
OF news and editorial matter not pre-
pared by ourselves or our STAINS, be.
lieving that original matter Is the
best answer to the peril OF propa-
ganda.'
"No man who is not in ethical ad-
vance Of the average Df his commun-
>ity should be in the profession CT
journalism" is a declaration in the
section devoted to Public Service
and Social Policy "We will keep
our writings and our publications free
from unrefinement, except SO far as
we may sincerely believe publication
Of sordd details to- be for the social
good,' says one article of this sec.
ton.
Cooperation Pledged
On advertising and circulation the
code pledges the Oregon newspaper
men to cooperate with those special
agencies whose business it is to raise
the ethical standards Of advertising
and to bar such advertising which the
publisher has reason to believe will
deceive the reader.
1--WE will not advertise our own
newspaper or it's circulation boastfully
or otherwise in terms not in harmony
with the clauses of this code Of
ethics,' is another provision of this
section which concludes with the fol-
lowing: I'VE will not make our
printing facilities available for the
production of advertising which we
believe to be socially harmful or
fraudulent in it's intent"