For a century, journalists have had a voluntary ethics code. Editors are giving it an AI-era reboot

In the corner of a newsroom, a bulletin board often displays the Society of Professional Journalists’s Code of Ethics, a poster that succinctly outlines the organization's guiding principles. Dan Axelrod, chairman of the SPJ Ethics Committee, emphasizes the significance of these principles in safeguarding democracy and society. The SPJ, with approximately 4,000 members nationwide, first adopted its code in 1926 and has revised it five times since, most recently in 2014.

However, the committee is now seeking to update the code for the first time in 12 years, and only the sixth time in its century-long history. This decision comes as the media landscape undergoes constant change, and new technologies emerge. The ethics committee, comprising members and journalism experts, recently convened in Indianapolis to draft a revised code.

The primary impetus for the update is the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) in journalism. Committee members acknowledge that while AI can be a cost-saving tool, its misapplication can lead to ethical dilemmas. Another concern is the rise of independent "creator journalists," who may also benefit from a code of ethics.

The SPJ's draft code consists of 967 words, 73 more than the existing version. The updated code retains the four core principles: "Seek Truth and Report It," "Minimize Harm," "Act Independently," and "Be Accountable and Transparent." However, the report accompanying the draft highlights the challenges faced by traditional newsrooms, the growth of freelance and self-employed journalists, and the influence of non-journalists on news coverage.

The committee aims to emphasize that ethical standards should be upheld regardless of the medium, technology, or platform used by journalists. Axelrod stresses that the code serves as a reminder to maintain journalistic integrity in an ever-evolving media landscape.