In a previous post, I discussed a section of Ian Hargreaves book, Journalism: A Very Short Introduction, revealing a need for journalists to self-censor in order to keep advertisers happy. Due to that pressure and other pressures faced by journalists, a list of suggested principles to be adopted by news media was developed by Bill Kovach and Tom Rosenstiel. Examples from the list include the following.
" Journalism's first obligation is to the truth."
" It's first loyalty is to it's citizens."
" It must provide a forum for public criticism and compromise."
" It's practitioners must be allowed to exercise their own personal conscience."
The principles are necessary if news media wants to be "trusted and fulfill their democratic mission", according to Hargreaves. For a complete list, read Hargreaves book.
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