For a century, journalists have had a voluntary ethics code. Editors are giving it an AI-era reboot
Walk into a corner of a newsroom somewhere and you can often find it affixed to a bulletin board, perhaps peeking out from behind the coffee pot: the Society of Professional Journalists's Code of Ethics. It's less than a thousand words, fitting neatly on a poster.
The Society of Professional Journalists’ (SPJ) Code of Ethics, a century-old voluntary guideline, is set for a significant update after 12 years. Dan Axelrod, chairman of the SPJ Ethics Committee, emphasizes that this update is crucial for protecting democracy and society. The code, about 967 words long, underwent intense discussions and revisions over a year, culminating in the creation of a draft code.
The need for updating arises from several factors, including the rapid growth of AI in journalism and the emergence of independent creators, who should also adhere to ethical standards. The draft code adds a line emphasizing that journalists must hold those with power accountable and counter the marginalization of underrepresented voices.
Overall, the updated code aims to maintain ethical standards across various platforms and technologies, ensuring accuracy and fairness in journalism.
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