The first rule is something we all learned in elementary school. Tell the truth, it is something that seems so simple but is broken all the time. Whether it is plagiarizing or fabricating a story it is wrong and shouldn't be done. Lying in a story or about a story is one of the top three rules that is so easy to follow but also is very easy to brake, especially if you are on a time crunch.
Now the next rule is also a basic rule we learned in grade school, and that is to be fair and respectful. I feel that journalists should be there to get a story out but not by defaming an individual. If someone asks to be anonymous then either need them anonymous or find another source. Also being fair entails not cutting words out of a quote just to get a better story.
Accuracy is also a must in writing a story. Nothing looks worse than a story full of errors. Journalists should always use an AP style guide and check and recheck their stories. Being accurate is not only spelling and grammar but is also checking and rechecking the facts. Even if just one fact is not right in a story a journalist can lose all of its credibility.
Journalists are held to a very high standard and should always be looked at as fair, accurate and truthful people. We should be looked at a people trying to help the community and get stories out to the public. As journalists we need to not just try but always follow these ethical and legal rules.
