No, journalists don’t twist things

Perceptions of journalists are almost always negative — even if misguided.

It is easy to perceive us as liars, chaotic, rude and lacking in consideration for others. Outside of our professional practice, we are husbands, wives, fathers and mothers. 

We have different aspirations also. Some have chosen this path to serve the public while others do so to win favours from those they cover. The later cannot be said to be journalists. They are something else. 

Do journalists twist information? Some, yes. But others are purely professionals who chase the truth wherever it is hidden. Our first obligation should be to the public. Our commitment is to the truth.

We represent the public and therefore we must be in touch with public opinion. We must be fully aware and understand the aspirations of the people. When we ask questions of government they do so on behalf of the people.

Journalists, like any citizen operate within the law. We know that defaming people or lying about events can land us in trouble. As we go about doing our work, we are also mindful of balancing ethical and legal issues.

When ethical issues emerge in our workplace or in our personal lives, we are often told to follow our conscience. It is never easy to do so. Sound ethical thinking requires a more analytical process of deliberation and discussion and should be based on a foundation of well-considered values and principles.

There is a huge difference between ethics and law. There are many examples when ethics can clash with the law. For example, a judge can order a journalist to reveal the source of his or her information but because of the promise you made with the source, you will refuse to do so. In law you will have committed an offence but ethically that is the right thing to do – never to betray your source.

The concepts of the law and ethics are similar but differ in significant ways. Both are concerned with governing conduct, with protecting rights, and with determining what is right and what is wrong. They both operate in harmony but can come into conflict as well. Broadly speaking the law tells us what we have the right to do. Ethics helps us decide the right thing to do.

Most journalists insist they have an ethical obligation to refuse to disclose the identity of confidential sources. Unless they can honour these promises, they argue, potential sources will refuse to speak to them in the future, and the public will be denied important information.

One thing that cannot be ignored is that, journalists are human beings. Like anybody else, they have values and principles. It is these values which guides their conduct. What we value as individuals also shapes the choice of topics or subjects to write about or indeed our career path.

Some journalists have chosen to use their profession to get to the top, to dine with kings thereby betraying the public. How do you expect a person who drinks from the same bowl with politicians to be objective? For we know that the drink loosens the tongue and you start speaking the language of your master.  

Photos: Newseum, Washington DC