The ASNE Canons of Journalism

1. The ASNE Canons of Journalism One Organization’s Effort to Try to Explain What the Rules Are for “Good Journalism” in America

2. Responsibility • The rights of a newspaper to attract and hold readers is restricted by nothing but consideration of public welfare. • A journalist who uses his power for any selfish or otherwise unworthy purpose is faithless to a high trust.

3. Freedom of the Press • Freedom of the press is to be guarded as a vital right of mankind. It is the unquestionable right to discuss whatever is not explicitly forbidden by law, including the wisdom of any restrictive statute.

4. Independence • Newspapers should be free from all obligations except to the public interest. • As a journalist, promoting your private, personal interest in your stories isn’t honest. • Partisanship in editorial comment that knowingly departs from the truth is wrong.

5. Sincerity, Truthfulness and Accuracy • Newspapers need to be TRUTHFUL. A lack of thoroughness or care is NO EXCUSE. • Headlines should reflect accompanying stories.

6. Impartiality • News reports and opinions should be separate. • News reports should be free from opinion or bias of any kind.

7. Fair Play • Don’t publish information that could damage someone’s reputation without giving them a chance to respond • Invasion of privacy should only happen when it’s in the public interest, not just out of curiosity • Newspapers should promptly CORRECT THEIR ERRORS

8. Decency • Newspapers shouldn’t publish material just because they have the right to do so – there are some details in some stories that are better left unreported • Newspapers shouldn’t pander to the lowest common denominator of readers – when it happens, it should be condemned by readers and by professional journalists