On developing a code of ethics for Locally Grown

Griff Wigley — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 03:01:15 +0000

Last summer I commented on a podcast blog post (my comment was to Barb Kuhlman but our guest that day was Randy Jennings): “… I think the main outcome for me after this podcast is to lead the development of a code of ethics for Locally Grown that we have posted on our site.” Now’s a good time to get it done, because we’re ramping up to take advertising and that always raises some ethical issues. (continued)

But there’s also some new thinking out there and it was this Knight Digital Media Center/Online Journalism Review (OJR) piece published Friday by Robert Niles titled Journalism ethics 2.0: As the Internet changes the market, some conventions must change as well that got me thinking and the task back on my to-do list. (continued)

The old rule: You can’t cover something in which you are personally involved.
The new rule: Tell your readers how you are involved and how that’s shaped your reporting.

The old rule: You must present all sides of a story, being fair to each.
The new rule: Report the truth and debunk the lies.

The old rule: There must be a wall between advertising and editorial.
The new rule: Sell ads into ad space and report news in editorial space. And make sure to show the reader the difference.

So I’d like to discuss this for a week or so and then post a draft for further feedback.

NB: this is a LoGroNo code of ethics, not RepJ.

OJR Reference: What are the ethics of online journalism?

Locally Grown Northfield » ethics

On developing a code of ethics for Locally Grown