A3 Book section, Chapters in research books
Reminders of responsibility : Journalism ethics codes in Western Europe (2022)

Lauk, E. (2022). Reminders of responsibility : Journalism ethics codes in Western Europe. In L. Trifonova Price, K. Sanders, & W. N. Wyatt (Eds.), The Routledge Companion to Journalism Ethics (pp. 478-486). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429262708-61

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Lauk, Epp

Parent publication: The Routledge Companion to Journalism Ethics

Parent publication editors: Trifonova Price, Lada; Sanders, Karen; Wyatt, Wendy N.

ISBN: 978-0-367-20647-5

eISBN: 978-0-429-26270-8

Publication year: 2022

Publication date: 06/07/2021

Pages range: 478-486

Number of pages in the book: 552

Publisher: Routledge

Place of Publication: Abingdon, Oxon

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429262708-61

Publication open access: Not open

Publication channel open access: 

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/80821

Abstract

Journalistic codes of ethics articulate conventions of professionalism as it is understood in Western democracies. Codes of ethics combine theoretical and applied ethics, defining the duties (e.g., service of the public, respect for human dignity, etc.) and offering practical instructions for information gathering, processing, and publishing. Codes of ethics do not solve ethical dilemmas but oblige journalists toward moral reasoning and give advice for making the right decisions. The codes of ethics created for traditional media have become insufficient in the current digital media era. The internet is global, as is the public, and increasingly, also the practice of journalism. The global information and communication conglomerates prioritize their commercial interests over the public interests. Journalists are working in the center of this conflict. To maintain and enhance ethical journalism, new types of accountability mechanisms and a media policy supportive of media accountability and criticism need to be created.

Keywords: journalism; media; journalists; ethics; ethicality; professional ethics; rules; liability

Free keywords: media

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2022

JUFO rating: 3