Professional journalism groups, individual news companies, and individual journalists frequently have their own "code of ethics." Most, however, share the following fundamental principles: veracity, accuracy, impartiality, justice, and public accountability. These codes define what constitutes ethical journalism and when it may or may not be permissible to lie, cheat, or steal from your subjects. They also seek to ensure that journalists act with integrity and avoid conflicts of interest. Some codes go further, requiring certain practices such as self-regulation of the media or an independent press. Others include specific provisions such as limiting the number of stories a journalist can write in a year or prohibiting journalists from owning property. These are just some examples of codes of ethics. There are many others, including ones within particular professions such as law enforcement where there is often a conflict between upholding privacy rights and exposing corruption. Journalism is sometimes described as the first rough draft of history. This means that journalists not only report what happened but also offer interpretations about why things happened the way they did. Therefore, ethics are especially important when writing about matters related to politics or other topics that may cause people to take issue with your reporting. The best journalism includes all of these elements along with more. But at its heart, journalism is about informing the public on issues that affect them.