Why is it important for journalist to tell the truth?

Answer 1

In theory there are many reasons.

However my experience with journalists has demonstrated that they are more interested in the 'good story' than the truth.

In 2004 CNN reported more than 200 civilians dead in the battle of Samarra. I was sent in (during the battle) to determine why our fratricide/collateral prevention plan apparently had failed.

The plan worked. CNN was broadcasting what made a better story instead of the truth. And when confronted with the truth - they refused to correct the story.

Last November the AP published a story about people being burned to death - it never happened and when confronted with the truth the AP refused to correct the story.

Last December - the AP published a story about a family of four being killed in an air strike. Again it never happened and when confronted with the truth the AP refused to correct the story.

And the people in the news media wonder why the soldiers in Iraq regard them as a bunch of liars.

Answer 2

I believe its kind of the principles they learn when they study journalism, like if you are a doctor you have to look after the patient healt.
The journalist must be aware of the power of their voices, the public, all the people who listen to the news, assume that the news are that - news - so, what i heard there must be thruth, or at least, as close to the truth as the journalist can get.
So, many of the ideas, point of views, choices, even activities in the peoples life are kind of guided by what we heard on the news, so, i guess it's pretty important that journalist try to look after the truth.
Anyway, all the public should be very careful with what they hear, and be aware of the diference on what's news and what's the opinion of the journalist, so we can take only the news, and make our own opinion about what that person is telling.
Besides, the journalist are not infallible, so we, the public, must hear and read the news, and know all the facts they present. But there is the posibility that someone tricks with the facts, mislead or just tell lies, to the journalist, so they inform those lies; in such a case it's not the journalist fault, of course it's his dutty to search as much as he or she can in order to confirm the information they get

Answer 3

Too bad there is no real reporting these days. It's all canned news from the heads of our government. When we watch TV news, they all have the same talking points, like they were fed down from gov't agencies to the news wires. That is why we hear all the same thing on every single channel. We need more muckrackers and real journalists again, like Edward R. Murrow or Oldbermann. The journalists these days report on the things our officials have said and take it as truth.The so called "news" is hardly news at all, it all celebritiy gossip, everyone knows that. Look what happened with Iraq, our officials said there were WMDs but it took a British manufacturer to identify that those "mobile anthrax trailers", or whatever they labelled them as to be really weather ballon stations. If journalists did their research, and asked REAL questions we would find the truth out earlier.
Look at those interviews that Dateline or 20/20, the interviewees were already preped and knew what the questions were before the interview even began.

You should check out Edward Bernays, the father of progragnda and how he used public relations to manipulate information and how it trickles down to the public so certain groups can persuade the public to think.

Answer 4

Same reason everyone should tell the truth. Journalist have a responsiblity to report the truth accurately and present both sides. It is not the journalist's job to sway anyone in any one direction, but present the information and let the viewer decide how they want to act or react. Today, it is all about getting the headlines and selling paper or airtime. It is difficult to know what to believe anymore and that applies to most everyone.

Answer 5

The duty of the journalist is to further those ends by seeking truth and providing a fair and comprehensive account of events and issues. Conscientious journalists from all media and specialties strive to serve the public with thoroughness and honesty. Professional integrity is the cornerstone of a journalist's credibility.

Journalists should be honest, fair and courageous in gathering, reporting and interpreting information.

Journalists should:


— Test the accuracy of information from all sources and exercise care to avoid inadvertent error. Deliberate distortion is never permissible.
— Diligently seek out subjects of news stories to give them the opportunity to respond to allegations of wrongdoing.
— Identify sources whenever feasible. The public is entitled to as much information as possible on sources' reliability.
— Always question sources’ motives before promising anonymity. Clarify conditions attached to any promise made in exchange for information. Keep promises.
— Make certain that headlines, news teases and promotional material, photos, video, audio, graphics, sound bites and quotations do not misrepresent. They should not oversimplify or highlight incidents out of context.
— Never distort the content of news photos or video. Image enhancement for technical clarity is always permissible. Label montages and photo illustrations.
— Avoid misleading re-enactments or staged news events. If re-enactment is necessary to tell a story, label it.
— Avoid undercover or other surreptitious methods of gathering information except when traditional open methods will not yield information vital to the public. Use of such methods should be explained as part of the story
— Never plagiarize.
— Tell the story of the diversity and magnitude of the human experience boldly, even when it is unpopular to do so.
— Examine their own cultural values and avoid imposing those values on others.
— Avoid stereotyping by race, gender, age, religion, ethnicity, geography, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance or social status.
— Support the open exchange of views, even views they find repugnant.
— Give voice to the voiceless; official and unofficial sources of information can be equally valid.
— Distinguish between advocacy and news reporting. Analysis and commentary should be labeled and not misrepresent fact or context.
— Distinguish news from advertising and shun hybrids that blur the lines between the two.
— Recognize a special obligation to ensure that the public's business is conducted in the open and that government records are open to inspection.

Answer 6

Most journalists wouldn't know the truth if it came along and slapped them on the face

Answer 7

You would prefer to continue hearing and seeing all the agenda driven propaganda BS being currently promulgated on the media? How will you or anyone else be able to make informed decisions without facts and reliable information?

Answer 8

the journalist should realize that what they have said can influence many people's opinions.if they lied, once people found they have been cheated,the liers can image what will wait for them.

Answer 9

Because if you told a lie and you were found out, you would be discredited as a journalist....any other stories you reported on would be dismissed as nothing more than tabloid fodder......

Answer 10

Because if you tell one lie you have to tell another to cover the first one and so on then you would be lying forever. So its best to tell the truth so people wouldn't be like ...I thought you said....