by Dennis Aubuchon

Created on: June 21, 2009   Last Updated: July 02, 2009

Before discussing the subject of this article, it is necessary to understand what constitutes a journalist. According to Merriam-Webster the definition of a journalist is a person engaged in journalism; especially: a writer or editor for a news medium or a writer who aims at a mass medium. In this respect anyone who writes, such as an author or a broadcaster who reports news events, is a journalist. Journalism is an honorable profession, and that being said, there are those who sometimes do not honor that profession with decisions they make.

Journalism involves not only reporters, broadcasters and radio personalities, but also authors and writers. They must decide everyday how they will communicate their expertise on a variety of topics. The freedom of speech, granted to us in the First Amendment to the Constitution, is a distinct right, which we all have; but how we use that right is the key to ethical decision making by all who write or broadcast news events.

I have great respect for journalists as it is a fine profession. There is a saying one rotten apple spoils the whole bunch. The reputation of all journalists and writers are impacted when someone in the profession makes a decision that lacks integrity and ethical principles. It involves not only the decision to write or broadcast a story without checking the facts but the purpose for the story or news event in the first place.

Ethical decision making by journalists in some circles does not appear to exist, while in others it is obvious. Journalists must constantly make decisions about the information they write or present. We have seen examples where news events have been reported for which the source was not verified to be reliable or the information given. In the broadcasting profession, which is part of the overall journalism profession, it is necessary to always check your sources before reporting or making statements regarding news events. Reporting news events without verifying the details for accuracy and reliability violates all principles of proper journalism. While these stories and examples appear to be few and far between, the consequences of such action is reason for all journalists to take note.

Good journalism is a quality that must be developed by those individuals who write for a living or as a hobby. Individuals involved with the art of writing, reporting or broadcasting had to learn their trait. I am an author and I had to learn the techniques of getting my point across on various

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