This chapter addresses research question #3: What are the ways that professional
journalism codes of ethics in the U.S. address newsworthiness and the criteria for news values? The codes evaluated include the American Society of News Editors (ASNE) code of Ethics, the Associated Press (AP) Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law, the National Press Photographers Association (NPPA) Code of Ethics, the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) Code of Ethics, and the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) Code of Ethics.
The American Society of News Editors (ASNE) formed in 1922, and adopted its Canons of Journalism, a statement of ethical principles, in 1923 (ASNE, 2017). The organization
updated its ethics code in 1975, renaming the Canons of Journalism as Statement of Principles
(ASNE, 2017). ASNE changed its name from American Society of Newspaper Editors to American Society of News Editors in 2009 (ASNE, 2017). The group is “dedicated to the leadership of American journalism. It is committed to fostering the public discourse essential to democracy; helping editors maintain the highest standards of quality, improve their craft and better serve their communities; and preserving and promoting core journalism values, while embracing and exploring change” (ASNE, 2017). Current membership includes editors, producers, directors in journalism organizations, faculty and deans in college journalism departments or schools, as well as the leaders of media-related foundations and training organizations (ASNE, 2017). The ASNE holds an annual convention in Washington, D.C. (where the current U.S. president gives an annual address); it also presents annual awards for leadership, storytelling, writing and reporting. ANSE has committee-based initiatives (ex: diversity) and projects (ex: increasing source credibility and readership) (ASNE, 2017).
The Associated Press (AP) formed in 1846 as a collaboration of five daily newspapers in the New York City area (AP, 2017). The organization has over the years provided news services to journalism outlets all over the world: photo wire beginning in 1935, radio news beginning in 1941, and satellite television beginning in 1994. Currently, the Associated Press is a multi- national nonprofit news agency headquartered in New York, NY; it operates as a “cooperative, unincorporated news association” (AP, 2017). As of 2017, there are 243 Associated Press news bureaus in 120 different countries (AP, 2017). The Associated Press has been providing a style guide to journalists since 1846, however, these guides were not formalized until 1953 (AP, 2017). The Associated Press Style Guide and Briefing on Media Law is a guide for reporters working for the AP or who are connected to the AP and its principles (AP, 2017). The book was updated biannually 1953 to 1973; it is now updated every year (AP, 2017).
The National Press Photographers Association (NPPA) formed in 1946 at the University of Georgia and is currently based at the Henry W. Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication (NPPA, 2017). It is a professional society that “promotes the highest standards in visual journalism, acknowledges concern for every person’s need both to be fully informed about public events and to be recognized as part of the world in which we live” (NPPA, 2017). The National Press Photographers Association’s Code of Ethics “fosters the spirit of honesty in all aspects of [visual journalist’s] professional lives” with an emphasis on credibility, accuracy, and integrity (NPPA, 2017). Members of NPPA include still photographers, television
videographers, journalism students, news editors, and others practicing in the field of journalism (NPJ, 2017). The organization offers seminars and workshops for its members; there are also annual competitions and quarterly contests in visual news medium (NPPA, 2017).
The Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) formed in 1946 as the National Association of Radio News Editors (RTDNA, 2017). The group adopted its current name in 2010 (RTDNA, 2017). The mission of RTDNA is to “protect the rights of electronic journalists in the courts and legislatures throughout the country, promote ethical standards in the industry, provide members with training and education, and honor outstanding work in the profession.” (RTDNA, 2017). RTDNA’s Code of Ethics focuses on journalist’s ethical decision- making in light of obligations to public interest (RTDNA, 2017). Currently, the organization’s membership includes radio, television and online news directors, producers, executives,
reporters, journalism educators, and journalism students (RTDNA, 2017). RTDNA offers training for news managers, journalists, and students (RTDNA, 2017). It also presents annual awards for reporting, lifetime achievement, and for leadership or service in relation to First Amendment freedom of speech.
The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) formed in 1909 as Sigma Delta Chi on the DePaul University Campus. The group changed from an honorary fraternity to a professional fraternity in 1916 (SPJ, 2017). SPJ formed its first chapters in 1921, and subsequently, became an official, professional society in 1960. SPJ changed its name from Sigma Delta Chi to the Society of Professional Journalists in 1988 (SPJ, 2017). Its mission is to “promote and defend the First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and freedom of the press; encourage high standards and ethical behavior in the practice of journalism; promote and support diversity in journalism” (SPJ, 2017). Concerning the SPJ Code of Ethics, the organization adopted the American Society of News Editors’ Canons of Journalism as its code of ethics in 1926 (SPJ, 2017). SPJ developed its own Code of Ethics in 1973, with subsequent revisions and updates in 1984, 1987, 1996, and 2014 (SPJ, 2017). Currently, there are 300 SPJ chapters across the U.S.,
and 7500 members (SPJ, 2017). Membership demographics include broadcast, print, and online journalists, journalism educators, and students interested in the field of journalism (SPJ, 2017). SPJ offers training and resources for journalists and journalism educators; it also provides fellowships and internships for journalism students (SPJ, 2017). SPJ holds an annual journalism convention and presents awards in categories including First Amendment, ethics, and chapter or regional recognition (SPJ, 2017).
Concerning the methods of analysis for these professional codes of ethics, I accessed most of the codes online (the materials are published on the organization’s official website) and printed out the information. For the AP Style Guide, which is a longer-length book, I checked this resource out of the Georgia State University library. Once I finished compiling all of the resource material, I read through all of the codes, looking for direct or indirect references to newsworthiness, news selection, news values, and/or news criteria (or any combination of those phrases, i.e. selection criteria).