Johannesen: Chapter 10

After finishing my ethical reflection paper, I was not surprised this chapter would follow. This chapter deals with Formal Codes of Ethics, something I have become very familiar with since writing my paper.

On page 180, Johannesen says there are nine main objections to ethical codes, one of which being that ethical codes violate a journalists first amendment rights.

This is an interesting thought. The first amendment give every one in the United States freedom of speech, press, and assembly. Specifically for journalists, freedom of the press and speech are important because that is what a journalists job revolves around.

As a journalist myself, and wanting to pursue a professional career in journalism, I must develop a personal code of ethics that will guide my writing and conduct within the field. The Society of Professional Journalists have developed a code that many journalists, or aspiring journalists turn to (www.spj.org) I never really considered how ethics might hinder the rights given to us in the first amendment. I may choose to hold my tongue, or my writing rather, to protect someone or something. But legally, I have every right to publish what I want (if I do say certain things, I may get a lawsuit however).

So where do we draw the line? When are ethical codes too restricting? Is there a balance between personal ethics and personal ethics while in a professional setting?

For example, if societal norms or ethics differ from my personal ethics, what happens then?

(http://www.emitten.org.uk/Training/Training%20Days/2009/Dec%202009/dec_2009.htm)