The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1922-02-06
CODE OF ETHICS
FOR JOURNALISTS
Sincerity and Justice to
Be Guiding Motive Of
Newspapers

EUGENE. ore. Feb. Setting
n Ht0ndafd based upon truth, fIn-
certify, thorouEhncsa. Justice. mercy
kindHness, and moderation the
oregon state Editorial nssociation
adopted recently ~ meeting here
code of ethics intended 10 be n
guide TO the profession OF journal
Ism in the state.
- Tho code was prepared by Dean
Colin Dymcnt, of the University ~
Oregon, at the direction ~ the asso-
citation, and was unnniuously np-
proved by q representative gather.
Ing OF oregon editors ana publishers
who pledged Themselves TO adhere To
It's preceptg
There IRE seven sections 60 the
code and they 80 In dothll into an
practices and rrlatlonshlpe uf iourn-
alism The first is bonded "Sinccr-
ity and Truth" and declared for nc
curaoy IN editorial advertisement,
article or nows story
Caro-. Competency Thorough
moss is tho caption of the second
secticn which Includes among It's
declarations the following 'by
study aBd inquiry and observation,
we will constantly aim Co Improve
ourHelves. 80 that our writings may
he moro authentic, and Of greater
perspective. and more conducive 20
Protection. within reason. Of the
rights OF individuals mentioned in
public documents, regardless OF the
effect on good stories or upon
editorial policies. "is n principle in
cluded In the seetlon devoted TO
Justice. Mercy, Kindllness" This
section also declared against making
privileged uttorance" a cloak for
unjust attack. or splteful venting or
carelessnoss IN investigation, In the
oasee OF parties or persons,
Avoid TASTY Conclusions,
I'VE Will endeavpr 90 avoid the
injurtiec that aprings from hasty
conclusion In editorial or reportorial
or interpretativc practice" 10 prin-
cipie laid down In section 4. devoted
20 Moderation. Conservatism. Pro-
portion" This section also provides
against distortion OF newa by i'm
proper emphasis, skillful arrange
msnts or by devices OF typography
or rhetoric.
The eoction declaring against par
tlsanship and propaganda sets forth
the following; I'VE Will not permit
unlesB In exceptional cases, the pub
lishing OF news and editorial matter
not prepared by ourselves or our
staffs. believing that original mat.
ter 10 the best answer TO tho perm
OF propaganda
mo man who II not In ethichi
advance of the average OF his COM
inunity should bs In the profession
Of journalism" ~ n declaration In
the section devoted to Public eerv-
leo and Social Policy" I'VE will
keep our writings and our publi-
cations free from unrefinement, OK
cept go far as we may sincerely
believe publication OF rordid de-
taiis to be for the social good" says
one article OF this section,
Advertising Standards.
On advertising and circulation the
code, pledges the Oregon newspaper
men To cooperate with those spe-
ciai agencies whose business II IL
TO raise tho ethical standards of
advertising, and TO bar such advcr-
,tising which the publisher has
reason TO believe will deceive tho
reader.
I'VE will not advertise our own
newspaper or it's circulation boast
fully or otherwise IN terms not In
harmony with the clauses or this
code OF ethics" Is another provision
OF this section which concludes with
the following, 1--WE will not make
our printing facilities available for
tho production OF advertising which
we believe 20 be socially harmful
or fraudulent In its intent"