Ethics and Standards of the Griff
Journalistic ethics and standards vary, but the majority of newsrooms adhere to a list of agreed-upon ethics. Contributors and editors should consult other newsrooms’ codes of ethics to see which ethics and values are expected from journalists. Our definitions of appropriate journalistic ethics are based on the Canadian Press style guide and the Canadian Association of Journalists’ ethics guidelines.
Our obligation: To serve the students, staff, faculty, and community members of MacEwan University. Our reporting should always be done in our community’s best interest and ensure the publication’s trust and longevity. Our prerogative as reporters is, first and foremost, to inform and engage the community and to foster a positive and dynamic campus culture.
To ensure this obligation is met, all editors and contributors who work for the Griff will commit to the ethical standards of accuracy, transparency, fairness, impartiality, compassion, professionalism, and inclusivity.
Accuracy
Journalists are expected to report the truth. In order to accurately report the news, editors and contributors at the Griff should do the following:
- Put accuracy before speed
- Verify information and corroborate claims from sources
- Commit to rigorous fact-checking and address any concerns or issues raised during the fact-checking and copy-editing process
- Use credible sources and verify the identity of sources
- Give credit where credit is due
- Investigate all sides of a story
- Report mistakes or corrections immediately
- Avoid inaccuracy by ensuring that editing is done thoroughly and carefully
- Avoid ambiguity. When in doubt, cut it out
Transparency
Readers have the right to journalism that is honest and transparent. The Griff’s editors and contributors are expected to address any potential mistakes or actions that might be perceived as unfair and potentially harmful. Contributors and editors can promote a culture of transparency by doing the following:
- Identify yourself as a reporter when doing the work of a reporter
- Disclose if something has been given for free, but avoid taking handouts
- Identify all sources of information if safe to do so
- Disclose any potential conflicts-of-interest such as professional and personal affiliation to the subject of an article
- Acknowledge and take accountability for any mistakes
- Avoid providing a source anonymity unless there is a legitimate risk to their safety or reputation
- Issue corrections in a transparent and timely manner
- Respond to any external and internal concerns of impartiality and accuracy in a way that is professional and in accordance with journalistic best practices
Fairness
Journalists must ensure they do right by their sources and by the people affected by their coverage. Editors and contributors should follow these actions to provide fair coverage:
- Do not present a false balance when covering both sides of a story
- Respect the rights of the people you report on
- Gather diverse sources and seek fair representation in every story
- Allow people to speak on their own experiences
- Strive to not misrepresent people or communities
- Allow people to speak on any accusations made towards them
- Do not refer to a person’s race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or physical ability unless it is absolutely pertinent to the story
- Avoid any and all stereotypes
- Give special care when interviewing those who are unable to give consent for interviews, such as children
- Allow people their privacy
- Do not coerce or harass sources into speaking if they do not wish to
Impartiality
Journalists are expected to report the facts, but it can become difficult to maintain professional impartiality for specific assignments. The following actions can be taken to ensure impartial and fair news reporting:
- Excuse oneself from reporting on a story if it is likely to include bias except in the case of features or opinion pieces
- Incorporate several voices in an article, including ones with dissenting opinions
- Disclose potential conflicts-of-interest to readers and avoid conflicts-of-interest
- Consider the potential agendas or interests of sources
- Avoid promotional writing and be weary of PR tactics
- Do not write about how people feel unless paraphrasing or quoting a source
- Allow facts to speak for themselves
- Hold to account those with power and those meant to serve public interest
- Show, don’t tell
Compassion
Journalists owe the public the truth and should take care to minimize harm. Contributors and editors should remember that stories can negatively and positively impact MacEwan’s community and others around the city. Editors and contributors can exhibit compassion by doing the following:
- Do not harass subjects for information when it pertains to sensitive topics (e.g., sexual abuse or harassment, racism, genocide)
- Research cultural differences and exhibit sensitivity when approaching a source from a different cultural background
- Always treat sources as human beings
- Consult the Canadian Press style guide for appropriate words and language for certain topics (e.g., substance use, LGBTQ+, race)
- Avoid descriptions that are sensationalist and deliberately provocative
Professionalism
The Griff is a springboard for students to improve their wirting and build their portfolios. In order for the Griff to continue to offer these services, all editors and contributors must conduct themselves in a professional manner befitting a reporter. To do this we:
- Are polite to others, including sources and bystanders
- Do not accept gifts or possible bribes
- Avoid intoxication when representing the Griff
- Follow up with our sources and share our work
- Maintain professional boundaries with sources
- Use professional and appropriate language with sources
- Give feedback to each other in a constructive format and only when it is appropriate to do so
Inclusivity
The Griff supports an open and inclusive environment that welcomes diverse backgrounds, identities and viewpoints. We promote collaboration and cultivate a safe and fun environment for MacEwan students to express themselves creatively. Editors and contributors can exhibit inclusivity by doing the following:
- Welcome new contributors with openness and enthusiasm
- Be civil and respectful
- Be open to giving and receiving constructive criticism
- Refrain from excluding people from the Griff
- Resolve disputes first through calm, open dialogue
- Bring unresolvable disputes to the attention of the editors
- Act in good faith and with good intentions in the spirit of inclusivity