Saturday October 11, 2008

What are the Elements of Journalism?

April 24, 2007

  1. Journalism's first obligation is to the truth.

     

  2. Its first loyalty is to citizens.

     

  3. Its essence is a discipline of verification.

     

  4. Its practitioners must maintain an independence from those they cover.

     

  5. It must serve as an independent monitor of power.

     

  6. It must provide a forum for public criticism and compromise.

     

  7. It must strive to make the significant interesting and relevant.

     

  8. It must keep the news comprehensive and proportional.

     

  9. Its practitioners have an obligation to exercise their personal conscience.

    10.  

  10. Citizens, too, have rights and responsibilities when it comes to the news.