1. Sensationalism
Despite what you see in the media today, don’t just talk about the shocking and the unusual. Talk about what is generally occurring. The decision about how to publicise a subject will inevitably put off some people and attract others. Ultimately you need to report the whole truth whatever it includes. No matter how mundane. The temptation in todays media landscape to push out whatever will get clicks has damaged the credibility of the media and of journalism. Be better than that.
2. Propaganda
There will always be individuals and organisations who would benefit from propaganda. Whether it’s outright political support or pushing a certain economic or social narrative to benefit a certain group at the expense of another. These people will also be ready to part with their money in exchange for journalists to produce it. Do not be tempted by it. Ultimately propaganda is one sided and incomplete. Sometimes it can even have no real information in it at all. Again, be better than that.
3. Plagiarism
Do not take other peoples work and pass it off as your own. Just don’t do it. This doesn’t just apply to whole articles. You must avoid even plagiarising individual phrases and sentences. If it does occur then at best you’ve bought yourself and the organisation you work for into disrepute. At worst you could face dismissal or legal action. It doesn’t matter if you intended to or not. Avoid it by carefully taking notes and collecting background material. Carefully attribute where required. Carefully reread and proofread and use free checking software such as Grammarly, NoPlag, Plagiarism Checker and CopyLeaks.
4. Fabrication
Fabrication essentially means lying. It should be common sense to avoid lying in your reporting. Where fabrication occurs, the journalist should be asked for an explanation. The work should be examined closely and punishments issued if required. The news organisation must publicly admit the wrongdoing to the audience and apologise. They must then correct or remove the plagiarised or fabricated material from the website.
5. Conflicting Interests
This ties in with the point above about propaganda. Don’t accept gifts from people or organisations you could be reporting on. Definitely don’t accept anything from people in certain positions of power. There’s a reason they’re doing this. Whilst you’re free to have your own opinions (it’d be strange if you didn’t have any opinions of your own) you have to keep them separate from your reporting. It’s also right to avoid political activities and holding any form of public office. Don’t let anything affect your journalistic activities. Avoiding the above is essential to gaining trust and credibility as a journalist.
Check out our full comprehensive guide to editing a news article after you’ve written your first draft.