The Rules of Journalism?

Question

Are there are definitive set of rules for journalism? If so, does anybody have a URL I can refer to?

Thanks to those that answer

Answer 1

Free for all usually.

Answer 2

Rules in your query is broad. What kind of rules? You could be referring to either grammar/spelling/style & usage rules or ethical/legal rules.

Anyway, take a look at this site:

http://www.poynter.org/

I'd also recommend the AP Style Guide. That's not a URL but just thought I'd let you know. It's mostly a style book but has sections in the back on media laws.

Hope this is helpful to you.

Answer 3

It depends upon which country they are in. In Australia the media have a "code of conduct" plus they have asked the State & Federal government to enact laws enforcing several of those rules.
In Britain there is also a set of conduct codes for journalists. I am unsure about the United States but the newsmen in the US are allowed to do many things that Australian and British journalists are not allowed to do, either legally or within their own code of conduct.
In many other countries there are very few media self restriction while in other there are laws that govern what journalists can and cannot write about.

Answer 4

You can read a quite comprehensive and professionally written
article about this matter (the deonthology of the Journalism),
here: http://www.news-council.org/archives/95igg.html

Journalism it has to follow certain basic rules.
There is supposed to be fairness, balance, impartiality, and more.
One of the cardinal rules of journalism is the appearance of the
conflict of interest.
"Conflict of interest means that the reporter and/or the news
outlet are supposed to be beholden to no one, so that they can
provide the truth without fear of reprisal, or obligation to anyone.
For this reason, news organizations take pains to separate
themselves from advertising operations, entertainment divisions,
and other potential sources of conflict. It is also why so many
organizations forbid reporters from even partaking of free food
and drink at events. Doing so leads down the slipper slope into
conflict of interest." (Joss Whedon)

Unfair practices:
-not listening to readers' complaints;
-framing and writing stories before getting all sides;
-refusing to explain actions, or decisions, to the public;
-pretending issues are black and white...

See also the "12 and a half rules to be a good journalist", posted
here: http://michaelkenward.blogspot.com/2007/02/rules-of-journalism.html

And also this tutorial: http://stringers.media.mit.edu/journalism.htm

Answer 5

The Society of Professional Journalists is a good place to start.
Check out their Code of Ethics.

Not sure if many journalists actually buy into this anymore.
I got out of the news business about six years ago, because it just wasn't being ethical.