Code of Ethics and Professionalism of The Virginian-Pilot, Norfolk, adopted on 1 April 2002. This policy was crafted with the assistance of the American Society of Newspaper Editors, whose Web site contains policies from several newspapers. Of particular assistance were policies from The Roanoke Times, The Seattle Times, The New York Times, The Chicago Tribune, The Kansas City Star, The Los Angeles Times and The Tampa Tribune.
The duty of landmark newspapers
By Frank Batten Sr.
Newspapers live entirely on the bounty of the public. The ability of journalists to report and to comment is based upon a unique grant of freedom from the public. Thus our duty is clear: It is to serve the public with skill and character, and to exercise First Amendment freedoms with vigor and responsibility.
Our news reports should never be influenced by the private interests of the owners or of any other group. Our editorials should exhibit vigor and courage, always respectful of contrary opinion, never tailored to the whims of the editor or publisher.
We aim to build a tradition of excellence for our newspapers. We must be aggressive in publishing the news. The independence of our editors, reporters and photographers is not for sale. There are no sacred cows. No territory of legitimate public interest is off limits to fair and competent reporting and comments.
Freedom makes a place for excellence. That place must be filled with professional discipline, with respect for the public we serve, and with a keen sense of fairness to all individuals. We must never pander to passions or forget for a moment the power of the printed word to do wrong as well as to right wrong.
Let us forget old slogans of dead days. Instead of “Get it first and get it right,” let our rule be: “First, get it right.” When mistakes occur, we should correct them promptly and forthrightly. Excellence cannot flourish without criticism. We need criticism and should seek it. Lacking trust, a newspaper cannot serve or advance any worthy purpose.
The first priority of Landmark newspapers is to present a faithful and accurate picture of the life of their communities. This requires detailed coverage of local events, institutions and people’s activities.
Warts and problems are at the core of news, but they are not all of the news. Even against the tide of modern life, people and institutions make progress. We should be generous in coverage of achievement; our pages should reflect the grit, devotion and durability of the human spirit. Let us nourish hope. While exposure of wrongdoing is a proper function and on occasion a required function of newspapers, it is not the main purpose. Problems are shaped more often by circumstance than by venality. Corruption and conflicts of interest, in most communities, have little to do with the important things that are not working. Most of our communities’ failures are rooted in complex problems. A truly excellent newspaper will spend most of its investigative skills on explaining those circumstances. We misdirect readers if we concentrate on narrow problems and inflate their significance.
A great newspaper is distinguished by the balance, fairness and authority of its reporting and editing. Such a newspaper searches as hard for strengths and accomplishment as for weakness and failure. Rather than demoralize its community, the great newspaper will, by honest and intelligent journalism, inspire people to do better.
Frank Batten became publisher of The Virginian-Pilot in 1954 and served as chairman of Landmark Communications from 1967 to 1998. This statement was written in the 1970s.
Who is covered by this policy?
Staff members
The ethics policy applies to all News and Editorial employees, full and part time.
Freelancers
As independent contractors, freelance contributors cannot legally be required to adhere to the ethics policy; however, assigning editors will judge freelance work based on the standards in the Pilot’s ethics policy. Assigning editors should present freelancers with a written copy of this policy when they sign a contract to write, edit or otherwise work for us independently.
It is the freelancer’s responsibility to inform editors of potential conflicts, such as a personal or business relationship with the subject of a story. If the editor determines a conflict exists, the freelancer will be taken off an assignment, or the contribution refused.
Accuracy
“The first priority of Landmark newspapers is to present a faithful and accurate picture of the life of their communities…”
Corrections
We will protect our credibility with a vigorous commitment to accuracy. We will remedy, in a timely manner, all errors of fact with a correction or clarification. If you become aware of an error in our newspaper, notify your team leader or the Public Editor.
Plagiarism and quotes
We do not use words or phrases from other sources without giving credit.
“Approximate” quotations can undermine readers’ trust. Therefore, quotes should reflect exactly what a source said. If the source’s grammar or language is unsuitable, paraphrase.
When we paraphrase, we remain faithful to the original statement.
Quotes should fairly reflect the context of the conversation.
We shouldn’t attempt to capture dialect or mangled pronunciation, unless it is an essential element of a story. If someone says “gimme” instead of “give me,” it’s OK to write “give me” because that’s the correct pronunciation.
Diversity
We will accurately and fairly reflect the diversity of gender, color, ethnicity, class, generation, geography and other attributes that distinguish our communities.
This standard requires our staff to go beyond the usual suspects when seeking sources. The ideal is to have the community’s diverse groups represented in whom we cite, regardless of the theme or topic being covered. For example, there are minority health care professionals in Hampton Roads; health and medical stories should, therefore, include such minorities among the sources consulted. The principle holds true for business, religion, education, consumer and political stories.
Reporters, editors and photographers will accomplish this by ensuring that their source lists include women, minorities and representatives of other communities. There is no easy way to do this. Staff writers must be as purposeful about it as they are now in ensuring that names are spelled correctly.
In the drive for diversity, avoid using minority sources as tokens.
Writing techniques
In rare instances, a reporter may use imaginary characters or situations, but their fictitious nature must be immediately clear to the average reader. Other fiction writing techniques to avoid:
· The telescoping of time so that, for example, events that actually happened during several days are reported as happening in a single day.
· Vivid descriptions of scenes that the writer could not have seen, unless supported by in-depth reporting.
· Passages conveying that the reporter knew what an individual was thinking or feeling without having been told.
· On occasion, a fictional name may be used for a real person when there is good reason to believe that public identification would cause severe embarrassment or harm to that person. Approval must be obtained from a deputy managing editor. Readers should be informed of the fictional name.
Internet activities
Use of Internet sources
· Verify all facts reported from an online site unless you are confident of its source. For instance, the official Pulitzer Prize Web site can be regarded as a reliable source for names of past winners; a trade association site may not be.
· If using a source via Internet or e-mail, verify the source by phone or in person. Make certain a communication is genuine before using it.
· Generally, credit photos and graphics downloaded from the Internet. Usually, generic mug shots and icons do not need credits.
Researching the Internet
· Internet-derived information should be attributed, just as we would information from any book, magazine or other publication. Our prohibition against plagiarism applies to this information.
Linking to Web sites from a story
· Always review Web sites listed in stories. If you have concerns about including a site in a story because of inappropriate content, check with an editor.
Internet communication
· Use the same standards of representation as you would using the telephone or in person. Using deceptive methods to gain information, including the failure to reveal one’s identity as a journalist while using a computer or the use of false identification to obtain access to computer systems, is corrosive to truth telling.
Visual accuracy
Documentary photo
This is a candid or unposed photo that records news, features or sports. The spirit of the documentary photo is to be honest and above board with readers. Any appearance or suspicion of manipulation of documentary photos strikes against our core values. Submitted photos should meet these same standards.
For questions about photo authenticity, check with a photo editor.
Posing or re-enacting a documentary photograph is unacceptable. Altering a documentary photo is also unacceptable. This includes eliminating or adding material to the photo.
Examples:
· Do not ask someone to repeat an action for a documentary photo. The photographer would not ask a wife to again hug her husband at a ship homecoming because he missed it the first time.
· Do not cut out a “live” news photo. Cutouts can make a news photo look like a feature photo. Let the reader have full information.
· A photographer, photo editor or designer should not eliminate a telephone line from a photo to “clean up” the scene. Clouds, sky, grass or other elements should not be added to make room for type or make the photo fit a hole.
Adding type to a documentary photo is permissible under “Type in Photo” guidelines, which are part of the design styleguide. See the DME for presentation or News Editor.
Portrait photo
This photo is usually posed and it should be obvious to the reader if it is. A mug shot, a group photo or an environmental portrait with the subject looking at the camera are examples. With candid portraits follow the guidelines of documentary photos. Portrait photos shouldn’t be altered.
Photoillustration
This type of photograph turns 180 degrees from documentary photojournalism and uses the medium as an artist uses colored chalk to illustrate a story. In a successful and ethical photoillustration, it is obvious to the reader that the photo is not a candid documentary photo. A photoillustration credit line should reinforce the fact that the photo is not a real situation.
Icon photos
This category is much like the photoillustration — almost anything goes. It includes simple photos that illustrate or label stories. Examples include photos of planes, ships, money, hockey sticks, hands, buildings, etc. Cutout photos would be included in this. It is not necessary to credit these photos.
To use or not to use
When in doubt, use common sense. Know privacy rules and laws. Shooting the photo usually is not the problem. Publishing the photo may be. Using sound judgement, the photographer should almost always shoot the picture. The editing process will determine whether the photo will be used. The photo editor, page editor and news editor will also help determine publication. Some photos should be approved by a deputy managing editor, managing editor or the editor.
Some red flags:
· death
· nudity or sexual content
· exaggerated grief
· blood or other body fluids
· photo is too good to be true (it may be set up)
· vulgar words or gestures (these may be hidden in a photo)
· cheap shot (zipper open, food on the face)
· unflattering expression not related to the event or situation
· people performing dangerous acts
· violence
· racial stereotypes
· photos that may otherwise shock or appall readers
Guiding questions
Is the photo appropriate to the story?
Is the news value worth upsetting the reader?
Is the photo from this community or from far away?
What are the paper’s general standards of taste?
Do you need to pass the photo through the top editor?
Does it pass the “breakfast table” test?
Conflicts of interest
“The independence of our editors, reporters and photographers is not for sale….”
Public life
Staff members are encouraged to participate in professional, civic and cultural activities. To ensure that our credibility is not damaged, staff members have a special responsibility to avoid conflicts of interest or any activity that would compromise their journalistic integrity.
Politics and social causes
· Newsroom employees should not work for a political candidate or office-holder on a paid or voluntary basis. Participation in public demonstrations for political causes is forbidden.
· Taking a public stand on controversial social, religious or political issues is prohibited. This includes signing of petitions, either on paper or on-line. Staff members may not write letters to the editor.
· Holding public office or accepting political appointment is prohibited, unless specifically approved by the editor or publisher.
· If a staff member has a close relative or friend working in a political campaign or organization, the staffer should refrain from covering or making news judgments about that campaign or organization. A loved one’s activities can create a real or potential conflict for a staff member. In those cases, inform a team leader and take steps to avoid conflicts.
· Donating money to political campaigns and parties is prohibited. Donations to or memberships in organizations with political agendas should be carefully considered.
· Staff members should use common sense when displaying bumper stickers, pins, badges and other signs. We should avoid items that promote causes.
Civic activities
· Membership in a social or civic organization normally does not result in a conflict; however, staff members should not cover or make news decisions about groups they belong to. Such activities should be disclosed to a team leader.
· Paid or volunteer public relations work for any organization whose operations are covered by the newspaper is prohibited.
· Membership on boards of charitable or cultural organizations that are covered by our newspaper – the SPCA, United Way, theater groups, etc. – should be approved by a deputy managing editor.
· It is inappropriate for staff members to appear publicly on behalf of a civic group or themselves. An exception can be made when an organization’s policy or action directly affects the employee. In this case, talk with your team leader.
Guiding questions
Could your action, comments, donation or display cause people to reasonably doubt your objectivity or that of the newspaper?
If an organization identifies you as a supporter, volunteer or staff member – and also notes that you work for The Pilot – would it appear as if the group has a connection with the paper?
Could it be construed that the newspaper and its staff are giving special treatment to the group?
Does your public role intersect with your work? If so, does your team leader know about the potential conflict?
Personal life
Business conflicts
· Staff members may not have financial investments in companies they cover. This is particularly important with regard to local companies. In general, mutual funds are excluded from this prohibition because they hold stock packages rather than individual investments. Reporters and editors who regularly handle mutual-fund stories should consult their team leader.
· Investments, loans or other outside business activities that could conflict with the newspaper’s ability to report news must be avoided.
· Use of inside knowledge for personal gain is prohibited. Staff members should not enter into a business relationship with news sources.
Gifts, favors, events
Employees must never become obligated to news sources, advertisers, suppliers or any person or organization by receiving gifts or favors. Situations will arise that call for judgment. We need not be reduced to arguing with sources over who will pay for a cup of coffee or a hot dog. If you have any doubt, check with your team leader.
· We do not accept free or discounted trips, dinners, entertainment, gifts or admission to events. When there is a clear journalistic purpose in attending an event, a staff member should buy a ticket and obtain company reimbursement.
· Press passes are limited to those assigned to cover an event and other staff members with a clear journalistic purpose for attending. Team leaders will determine appropriate staffing. Extra passes should not be given to friends or family.
· Staff members can attend media-day events only if they are involved in news coverage.
· Items delivered to staff members should be returned, donated to charity or sold through company events that benefit charity. Review copies of books, movies, computer software and music may be kept by the reviewer. Material not scheduled for review falls under the return-or-donate rule. When possible, let gift-givers know their gifts were donated.
· Items of no significant value – desk trinkets, pens, etc. – may be kept.
Guiding questions
Do you have a clear journalistic purpose in using a press pass for an event? If you had to buy a ticket and obtain reimbursement, could you justify it as a company expense?
If a source offers lunch or a cup of coffee, can you arrange to split the bill, or treat next time?
In declining a gift, did you explain our policy to the gift-giver?
Special privileges
· Company identification cards are not to be used for personal purposes, to gain admission to an event, to solicit favors or to avoid enforcement of a law.
· Employees also must not use their position on the newspaper staff in private business matters. Staff members should neither verbally invoke a position with the newspaper nor use company stationery or e-mail for such purposes.
· Newsroom employees should not use their Pilot news sources to obtain tickets to entertainment events or parking passes for personal use.
Family considerations
· We recognize that spouses and immediate family members have lives of their own to lead. However, when loved ones’ activities might become newsworthy, employees are encouraged to make them aware of policies requiring us to avoid a conflict of interest or the appearance of one. Employees must inform their supervisors of personal relationships that may conflict with their job responsibilities.
· Assigning editors shouldn’t contract with a relative or close friend to work directly for them as a freelancer without approval of a deputy managing editor.
Guiding questions
Could a family member or the newspaper publicly disclose the situation without fear of embarrassment or legitimate criticism?
Could it damage the newspaper’s credibility?
Our goal is to write about the community, not ourselves. Staffers should avoid quoting, featuring or photographing their own family members and those of other Virginian-Pilot employees. The use of family members or relatives in photo illustrations is discouraged when the person is identifiable in the photo.
Guiding questions
Is this person an essential part of the story?
Could the picture or quote just as logically come from another source?
On the job
Campaign, government and political coverage
· The Pilot pays for travel, meals, lodging and other expenses for newsroom employees covering political campaigns, candidates and public officials.
· If a campaign or office of an elected official has provided group transportation, dining or lodging for the media, The Pilot will pay its share of the expenses.
· Good manners and common sense prevail. For example, an impromptu opportunity to interview a candidate in a car between campaign stops need not result in an offer to chip in for gas.
Military travel
The military customarily provides free transportation for journalists on a space-available basis on vehicles traveling in the course of their duties. Staffers on assignment can accept free travel on military vehicles when:
· There’s no other way of gaining access;
· Traveling on our own would be dangerous;
· We have made a good-faith effort to ascertain the cost and arrange payment.
Special trips provided by the military with the intent of increasing public understanding of its mission will be allowed in some instances, but they should be approved by the team leader or deputy managing editor.
Freelance, outside work
· As a general rule, freelance work for print or electronic media not in direct competition with The Pilot is permissible. Defining direct competition is difficult because our business is evolving. Therefore, all freelance offers should be cleared with your deputy managing editor.
· Permission can more easily be granted when an article, photo or piece or artwork has been published or offered for publication first in our newspaper or on our Web site.
Radio/TV/Internet appearances
· With the exception of Pilot Online and LNC, staff members should clear any request with their team leader or deputy managing editor for participation in a radio, Internet or television program or news broadcast.
Cooperation with authorities
· Journalists are not required to turn over to any authorities their notes or film unless directed to do so by a court. If you receive such a request, contact your deputy managing editor immediately.
· Staff members should avoid being confrontational or hostile in resisting an authority’s demand for materials. If you are arrested solely because of your refusal to turn over material, the newspaper will be supportive and provide legal representation.
· During coverage of a news event, reporters and photographers often discuss basic information with law enforcement personnel, but journalists should not actively cooperate.
· It is our practice to not provide photographs, information or copies of published articles to attorneys in civil or criminal matters. Refer such requests to the public library, Pilot Online archives or the Photography Department’s reprint service.
· Staff members are forbidden from working for the CIA, FBI or any other governmental intelligence or law enforcement agency. If you are approached, inform your team leader.
Guiding questions
We have a three-part test to determine whether we should turn over source material to a court.
Can the material be obtained elsewhere? Is this the last resort?
Is there a compelling public interest?
Is the request relevant to the issue at hand?
Fairness
“A great newspaper is distinguished by the balance, fairness and authority of its reporting and editing…”
Fair play
In our commitment to fair play, we:
· Treat all sources the same, whether friendly or hostile. We evaluate all sources based on the newsworthiness of their information. We report stories involving The Pilot, Landmark Communications and its executives as rigorously as any other.
· Report all sides of a story. We are upfront with readers about what we don’t know and about evidence that contradicts the main finding of a news story.
· Give people accused of wrongdoing a full and immediate opportunity to respond to all charges. We also report the final outcome of such allegations — for example, the verdict after an arrest — and give the outcome comparable play to the original story.
· Do not make promises to sources about where, whether or when we will run a story or photo.
Guiding questions
What if the person accused of wrongdoing in a story were your mother? Would you feel the story was fair?
What if Columbia Journalism Review wanted to interview you about the methods you used to get a story or photo? Would you be comfortable defending your conduct?
Crime reporting
· We identify criminal suspects only after arrest warrants have been issued, they have been arrested or they have been formally charged. When we write about people accused of wrongdoing, we provide them an opportunity to respond. That effort should include seeking comments from defense attorneys, family members and friends.
· As a rule, we do not name juvenile suspects. We do identify suspects 14 or older who are charged with committing crimes serious enough to warrant their prosecution as adults. We name suspects younger than 14 when the act is public, particularly brutal or of legitimate concern to the community.
· We use sparingly such phrases as “unavailable for comment” or “could not be reached.” We do so only after we have worked hard to reach suspects, their attorneys and others with a stake in the story.
· We report a suicide only when the incident occurred in public or involved a public figure.
· Using “allegedly” does not protect us from libel. Instead, cite multiple official sources, court records and testimony to make stories credible.
· Generally we try to name everyone involved in a crime serious enough to warrant a story. Names of victims or witnesses may be withheld if there’s a legitimate concern for their safety. We do not name victims of sexual crimes unless they request it. Decisions to publish or withhold a name should be approved by a deputy managing editor.
· When we identify suspects, we use differentiating details, such as full name, middle initial, age, street and occupation. Providing these details helps ensure accuracy and prevents innocent people with the same name from being implicated.
· Reporting bomb threats and similar hoaxes may lead to “copycat” threats. We generally avoid reporting these, except when many lives are disrupted for extended periods or when the threat attracts considerable community attention.
· When a public safety incident involves a public figure, we should apply our usual standards for determining whether a story is warranted. Ask this question: Does the incident conflict with the person’s public role? For example, we would write about a politician with a long record of opposing drugs who is arrested for cocaine use.
· When a public safety incident involves someone closely connected to a public figure, we should apply our usual standards for determining whether a story is warranted. Ask this question: Is the public figure involved in the incident? When in doubt, do not implicate the public figure. For example, a school principal’s name probably would not be included in a story about a spouse’s drug arrest.
Guiding questions
Have we given accused persons a chance to defend themselves? Have we made serious efforts to reach a defense attorney? Have we also sought comments and reaction from relatives, co-workers and friends?
Are we withholding the name of suspect, victim or witness because of age, safety concerns, the nature of the crime or other privacy concerns? Has a deputy managing editor approved withholding the name?
Are the allegations provably true? Are we attributing allegations to records or testimony, and have we accurately represented the material?
Are we writing about an incident only because the suspect is a public figure or connected to a public figure? Does this incident say something about the public figure that the community should know?
Sources
· Treat every source fairly and with respect. Always identify yourself as a journalist so sources know their comments could be published. For exceptions, talk to an editor.
Anonymity
· Anonymous sources should be rare and reasoned. Editors have the right and duty to know the identity of unnamed sources before publication. If a source’s identity cannot be revealed by a reporter to an editor, the information will not be published. Any exception must be approved by the publisher.
· We will not permit an unnamed source to demean, attack or vilify a named person or institution unless the publisher expressly approves on the basis of carefully considered and compelling reasons.
Guiding questions
Can someone else provide the information you’re looking for?
Can an on-the-record source confirm the anonymous source’s information?
Is the information crucial to public understanding of an important matter?
Does the source have a legitimate reason for wanting to be shielded? Will identification put the source in physical danger or jeopardize his/her career or result in some other serious form of retribution?
Have you skeptically analyzed the source’s motives? Is the information merely a character attack?
· When we decide a source should be shielded, we must tell the reader as much as possible about the unnamed source short of revealing identity, including the reason for anonymity.
· We will avoid attributions like “key officials said” and “informed sources said.” Instead, as an example, an unnamed source giving us information about a closed legislative meeting might be described as “a participant and a supporter of the bill.”
· When you agree to shield a source, make sure he/she clearly understands the ground rules. For example, if the source is lying will you keep the promise of anonymity? Will you go to jail for the source? Will the source come forward if you or the newspaper is subpoenaed? What if the source later discloses the information publicly?
· If you make a promise to shield a source, you must keep it.
· We also want to avoid the use of anonymous people in routine stories. As a general rule, such attributions as “an onlooker said” do not belong in our newspaper. If someone refuses to be identified, don’t use the quote. This means interviewing more people, but result will be a more believable story.
Types of sources
On the record: The source’s identity and information can be used.
Not for attribution: A source provides information that can be used in a story but the source cannot be identified. The source and reporter must agree on this before the information is shared.
Off the record: This information cannot be published and the source’s identity cannot be disclosed. Reporters can use the information to develop other sources for the story without revealing the off-the-record source.
Pre-publication review
· We encourage reporters to call sources to verify quotes or information. For accuracy’s sake, you may read back passages of a story. However, we do not allow sources to approve stories for publication.
Racial and ethnic identification
· We identify someone’s race or ethnicity only when it is important to understanding the story.
· Identify race evenly. Stories that deal with racial conflict or identify people by race because that’s the topic should identify all the characters in the story by race.
Guiding questions
Is race or ethnic identity relevant? Can I explain the relevance in the story?
How will this information help readers understand this story?
Am I stereotyping a race or ethnic group, or just catering to some readers’ idle curiosity?
Crime stories
Two basic tenets of good journalism – accuracy and precision – require us to identify a suspect’s race only as part of a detailed physical description.
A suspect’s identifying information should exclude that suspect from all but a narrow group of people. We should ask authorities to provide more meaningful details.
Poor examples: “A 6-foot tall Hispanic man in his 20s”; “A 5-foot-8 black male of medium build.” These vague descriptions don’t provide valuable information to help readers assist police.
Good example: “An olive-skinned male, 25 to 30 years old, 5 feet 7 inches, weighing 130 pounds, with thinning hair, wearing blue jeans and a Dallas Cowboys hat and driving a black Caravan.”
“Hispanic,” “Latino” and “Filipino” should never be used as a physical description. Those words describe ethnicity – not color. Imagine describing someone as “Italian-looking” or “Jewish-looking.”
Guiding questions
Is the physical description specific enough to help a reader identify a suspect?
Implementation and enforcement
“We need criticism and should seek it. Lacking trust, a newspaper cannot serve or advance any worthy purpose…”
Training
New employees
Every new News and Editorial employee will receive a copy of this policy when completing new-employee paperwork. Team leaders will review the policy with new employees to make sure that the policies are fully understood.
Current employees
It’s important for every newsroom employee to know the Ethics Policy and use it when making decisions. Team leaders will discuss the policy with team members as part of the annual performance review process. Each newsroom employee will attest annually in writing that they have read the ethics policy in the preceding 12 months.
Enforcement
· If you believe you may have inadvertently violated any of these guidelines, or a family member’s activities may have created a conflict or the appearance of conflict for you, notify your team leader as quickly as possible.
· Intentional or flagrant violations of the ethics policy may result in disciplinary action: reprimand, suspension or, in the most serious cases, termination.
Engaging the public
· We will publish our code of ethics on our Web site and Pilot’s Intranet.
· We will use a regular box on the editorial page or Public Editor’s A2 box referring readers to the ethics policy on the Web site.
· The editor or public editor will introduce to the public the Pilot’s adoption of an updated code of ethics and professionalism. The editor or public editor also may write subsequent columns that revisit the code and give examples of how it was used.