Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1923-06-28
CODE OF ETHICS
ADOPTED BY NEWSPAPERS
OF STATE

'he PIoltSsloH OIL Journalism ADOPTED
by the North Carolina Press Associa-
tion at is meeting in Blowing Rock
last week, it being the sam eas that
recently adopted by the American
Society of Newspaper Editors:
"The primary function of newspa-
pers is to communicate to the human
race what its members do, feel and
think. Journalism, therefore de
mands of its practitioners the widest
range of intelligence, of knowledge,
and Of experience. To it's opportuni-
ties as chronicler and indissolubly
linked its obligations as teacher and
interpreter.
ITO the end of finding some means
of codifying sound practice and Just
aspirations of American journalism
these canons are set forth.
1. "Responsibility-The right of
a newspaper to attract and hold read
ers is restricted by nothing but con-
siderations Of public welfare. The
use of a newspaper makes of the
share of public attention it gains
serves to determine it's sense of rel
sponsibility, which it shares with
every member of it's staff. A Jour-
naiist who uses his power for any
sel1isE or otherwise unworthy pur-
pose is faithless to a high trust.
2. Freedom of the press-Free-
dom of the press is to be guarded as
vital right of mankind. 1t is the
unquestionable right to discuss what
ever is not explicitly forbidden by
law, including the wisdom of any re-
strictive statute.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. from
all obligations except that of fidelity
to the public interest is vital.
ga. Promotion of any private
interest contrary to the general well
fare, for whatever reason, is not
compatible with honest journalism,
So called news communications from
private sources should not be publish
ed without notice of their source or
else substantiation of their claims to
value as news, both in form and SUBJ
stahce. -
"b". Patisanship, in editorial
comment which knowingly departs
from the truth does violence to the
best spirit of American journalism;
in the news columns it is subversive
of fundamental principal of the
profession.
4. Sincerity, Truthfulness, Ac-
curacy-Good faith with the reader
is the foundation of all Journalism
worthy of the name.
"a" By every consideration of
good faith newspaper is constrain-
d tn b truthful. 1t is not to beck
cused for lack of thoroughnes5 or
avourancy within its con.rol or fall
ure to obtain command of these es-
sential qualities.
"b" Headlines should be fully
warranted by the contents of the ar
ticle they surmount.
5. Impartiality-Sound practice
makes clear distinction between news
reports and expressions of opinion.
News reports should be free from
opinion or bias of any kind.
"a" This rule does not apply to
so-called special articles unmistak-
ably devoted to advocacy or charac-
terized by signature authorizing
the writer's own conclusions and in
terpretations.
6. Fair Playa newspaper
should not publish unofficial charges
affecting reputation or moral charac-
ter without opportunity given to the
accused to be heard; right practice
demands the giving of such opportu-
nifty in all cases of serious accusation
outside judicial proceedings.
GA newspaper should not invade
private rights or feelings without
sure warrant of public right as dis
tinguished from public curiosity.
g. 1t is the privilege, as it is the
duty of newspaper to make prompt
and complete correction of its own
serious mistakes of fact or opinion,
whatever their origin.
z. "Decency-A newspaper can
not escape conviction of insincerity
if while protesting high moral pur-
pose it supplies incentives to base
conduct, such as are to be found in
details Of crime an dvice publication
of which is not demonstrably for the
general good. Lacking authority to
enforce it's canons, the journalism
mere represented can but express the
hope that deliberate pandering to
vicious instinct will encounter effec-
tive public disapproval or yield to the
influence of a preponderant profess
sional condemnation"