The value of journalism

Journalism has rules about
the quality of information

Journalists are bound by ethics and standards that we can use to tell if reporters are doing their jobs.

The standards are many, but journalism boils down to this:

• The story can be verified.
• The information comes from identified sources.
• The facts are checked for accuracy.
• The story is placed in an appropriate context.

These standards provide a check and balance between news consumers and journalists. When journalists report a story, they must tell us the source of the information and do so by name. That allows us, if we wish, to check with those involved to verify what was reported.

What’s more, even when reporters disclose the source of the facts in their story, they’re required to go one step further – to check out those facts with other sources to make sure they’re credible and reflect what other experts believe to be true.

Finally, just because a story has facts doesn’t mean that they are placed in the proper context. The man who steals a loaf of bread may be a common thief in one context or a dedicated father trying to help his starving family in another. The arrangement of facts makes a difference in how we perceive them and reporters who twist the facts are practicing propaganda, not journalism.

But even when journalism is practiced according to these standards, it’s possible to be misled, that’s why we urge you to visit the section on Bias In The News to learn more.

Recommended reading: Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics