Doing What is Right
Module 1, Activity 3.4 - Journalist's Code of Ethics
Student Page
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Introduction:

Now that you have a good idea of how many legal and ethic issues journalists deal with in their work, you are ready to write your own code of ethics. In this lesson, you will write a brief informal essay explaining your own journalistic code of ethics.

Activities:

Task One - Preparing to Write
Start the process of writing your informal essay by remembering all the key factors to consider in journalism ethics. Revisit the pages on ethics if you need a refresher:

3.1 Introduction Ethics and Journalism
3.2 Libel and the Law

2. Sorting
Organize your list into groups of related information.

3. Refocusing
Now you need to decide what your main point will be. In a sentence, summarize the key idea of your personal code of journalistic ethics. This statement will be your thesis.

4. Synthesizing
Remove all the ideas that do not directly relate to your thesis.

5. Organizing
Organize your groups of points from step 2 into the order you would like to say them in when you present. Each group will be a paragraph. Remember that each paragraph should have a topic sentence that is a clear sentence which proves the thesis.

6. Writing
Using the steps 1 to 5, you have created an outline. Now make your point form ideas into sentences and develop them to create the rough draft. Remember that an essay needs to be a minimum of 5 paragraphs.

Objectives:

You will be able to
- understand the rights and responsibilities of the press
- understand the legal limitations on the media
- understand the concepts of libel and slander
- demonstrate responsible journalism
- present your point of view in a written work

What is an Informal Essay

The two biggest differences between formal and informal essays are writing style and the language you can use.

Language in this style of essay is informal. You can use I and you may use contractions (like the word isn't instead of is not). However, you still need to use language appropriate to your audience. You should avoid slang and over-used phrases and keep the the vocabulary simple.

Writing Style in an informal essay is more relaxed than it is in a formal essay. The author can use a more conversational tone and can use personal examples. In addition, the sentence structure is usually simple .

Once your rough draft is completed, go through the editing process on the handout with a partner. If you can, make the changes using the editing tools in your word processor that track changes. Print the document with the potential changes. Go through and accept or reject each change suggested by your partner.