68 Choose sources who are truly relevant and appropriate for your topic. If you
choose incorrectly, the information you receive may be inaccurate or, worse, false.
4. Do not accept bribes, gifts, or facilities from sources.
If journalists receive something from a source, it can have an impact on the neutrality of their reporting.
5. Pay attention to accuracy of data and information.
Do not automatically believe all information you receive. Every piece of data and information must be checked for factuality. This includes names, titles, and
numbers.
6. Give sources the opportunity for clarification.
If someone is accused of doing something, they must be given the opportunity to defend themselves provide clarification.
7. Balanced reporting.
If there is conflicting information, you should report both sides of the story.
8. Make clear the difference between facts and personal opinions.
Facts are often mixed with personal opinions, but it is your job as a journalist to separate them. Make the difference between them clear and obvious.
9. Use the correct language and terminology.
Do not confuse or trick your readers through using language or terms that misdirect them. For example, by writing a headline that is not in line with the
story. Do not put your own opinions into stories by writing things such as ‘strongly suspected’; you must have a source that strongly suspects the claim.
10. Do not hide the facts.
If facts do not suit your interests or needs, it can be tempting to hide them. You must avoid this, as it is a journalist’s job to tell the truth. This is a major violation
of the jou rnalists’ code of ethics.
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Material for Case Study Discussions on the Journalist Code of Ethics
Case 1: A key source wants to provide information, but does not wish to have her name recorded or quoted. However, after publication, a group of people dispute the
information, and want to know who the source was. What should you do?
Case 2: A citizen journalist agreed with a source to delay publishing a piece of news until a certain date. The agreement was not written down. The journalist decides to
publish the news anyway, before the agreed date. Did this journalist violate the code of ethics?
Case 3: A citizen journalist is accused of inaccuracy in her reporting. Upon rechecking, the journalist acknowledges that they were wrong. What should the journalist to?
Case 4: A citizen journalist mentions a certain person or institution in a news article. However, she did not ask that person or institution for comments. What should the
journalist do? What should she have done before publishing?
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Module 12: Closing 1.
Making Plans
The facilitator should help participants to reflect on what they have learned during the training, and to make plans for after the training.
1. Facilitator divides the participants into four or five groups based on where the participants live.
2. Facilitator explains how the planning session will run, and what support they will provide the participants with after the training such as mentoring sessions or
skill-building workshops. 3. Participants discuss their plans in groups, and write them down on a large sheet
of paper. 4. Groups present their plans to the large group.
5. Facilitator guides the participants in filling in feedback forms. 6. Facilitator asks the participants for any feedback they are willing to share with the
group and facilitators. Facilitator clarifies and responds as needed. 7. Facilitator awards the participants certificates or other participation rewards, and
closes the training.
2. Evaluation and Post-Test
