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Should bloggers be held to the same code of ethics as professional journalists?
Should bloggers be held to the same code of ethics as professional journalists?
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| Yes | 61% | 151 votes | Total: 248 votes | |
| No | 39% | 97 votes |
Yes
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A professional journalist is one who is supposed to present the facts about a story in an accurate, fair manner. However, the advent of blogs (web logs) has allowed everyone to be able to write about any subject of his choosing. Unfortunately, the person often writes on subjects in a one-sided manner as an opinion, rather than fact. There are blogs that are prone to personal opinions rather than facts, and that is fine. The problem, as I see it, is when a blogger writes an article on a factual event that is biased and may contain incorrect information.
A blogger who is writing to a subject as part of his profession should take care to write accurately. He should thoroughly research the subject before writing. His article must be based on facts and truths and not upon his own like or dislike of the person or story.
A code of ethics should be employed by a journalist in order for her to be looked at as a respectable writer. A journalist needs to be objective in her article. She should be accountable for what is said. She should also be able to defend her position with sources that are respectable and trustworthy. A journalist who writes in half-truths in order to gain self-sympathy or support should reconsider her writing motives.
Ethics are a system of moral principles within a culture. Rules of ethics are followed within certain groups, and relate to the right or wrong of an action or issue. As a journalist prepares a controversial story, it would be to his benefit to carefully consider what he is writing. Misrepresenting another's words or actions may cause that person harm in his business and personal dealings. A journalist can write a truthful, tough story with respect and consideration for the person about whom he is writing.
The Society of Professional Journalists is a group who promotes high standards for every writer. They officially organized in 1909 in an effort to promote a well-informed society through information. They believe in free speech according to the First Amendment, and wants to see writers who are inspired through education while maintaining a professionalism throughout each person's witting.
A writer who chooses to write to a high code of ethics may not always be liked, but the fact that he writes accurately will gain him respect among his peers and those who read his articles. If he has the choice of writing the truth in an unbiased manner, he should seek to do so.
Learn more about this author, Jinianne Lutz.
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No
For some reason, more and more online readers are turning to blogs as their main source of information. It is no longer newspapers or sources of credibility. However, to think that you should hold any random blogger to professional code of ethics is just plain nuts. Most blogs do not even last more than 6 months to a year before the blogger loses interest and moves on.
Personally, I hate arbitrary lists. However, I feel that I clearly outlined list is needed and to minimize my internal conflict, I will try to be fair with my reasoning do my best to articulate the reasoning behind each reason.
1. Bloggers Are Freelancers At Best: Most of Them Never Make a Dime
Professional journalists are bound by a code of ethics for a multitude of reasons, however, they all stem from one basic concept. A professional journalist is just that: a professional. They make money. They are automatically handed a free crown of authority. As an authority figure, it is irresponsible to operate with some sort of code of conduct to reign in their power or persuasion.
Bloggers on the other hand are, in many cases, just ranting or passing on stories to pass on stories. It could be kid in high school that just wants to be heard or a marketing professional trying to sell a product. Regardless or who they are, they are just people. For a blogger to gain authority, they must prove themselves over a long period of time as a trusted information resource. A large majority of popular or quality bloggers follow a similar personal code of ethics when compared to professional journalists, because that is the only way for them to remain popular in the long run.
2. Resources
A professional journalist has a large amount of resources that are available to them that bloggers will never have. One of these resources is time. A professional journalist has the ability to spend an entire day or days on a story, including researching, writing, rewriting, calling contacts, and more. A blogger has a professional obligation outside of the blog. They simply do not have the time to keep up with professional journalists.
A professional journalist creates a list of contacts and sources as their career progresses, these resources help gather information and even dig up stories. A blogger doesn't have a long list of contacts that they can utilize at the drop of a hat. If they need to know what is going on inside a contract negotiation of a professional athelete or insider information about the President's reaction to something said in the Senate.
In short, bloggers simply do not have the resources to compete with professional journalists. If they were to be held to the same ethical standards and practices, they would cease to be.
3. Who Cares?
A professional journalist for a newspaper, for example, can be read every day whether their articles are all that interesting or not. A professional journalist can rely on their employer for exposure and a fan base. A bloggers popularity is solely based on the people who read and promote their blog. Bloggers have no safety net to rely on. Since a blog is inherently self-serving, a blogger will do anything to gather a flock of followers.
In short, there is no way that a blogger should be held to the same level of professional ethics that a journalist must adhere to. The more important question really should be, why have professional news sources lowered themselves to blogging. This action has blurred the line of "authoritative information" and caused this problem in the first place.
Learn more about this author, John Henderson.
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