Ethics in Journalism

Last week at the 7th Annual President Quezon Symposium on Ethics, Rep. Teodoro L. Locsin Jr. of the Philippine Congress gave a speech that fundamentally attacks journalists for not honoring their profession. His remarks are incisive and insightful. As an example,

Indeed, many people look on the mass media today as composed of poltroons for the most part, and idiots for the rest: quick with the cutting word but slow with the careful thought that should have prompted the word; more adept at entertaining than enlightening; and just a few degrees less corrupt than the politician and the policeman - but only for lack of equal opportunity.

[ ... ]

I think the best solution lies in each journalist being the best he can with utter fidelity to his profession, and to steer clear of those who will not try to improve themselves.

I think the greatest crime is committed by those journalists who tolerate the company, and defend the right to write, of unworthy colleagues who bring shame on their honored profession. I think the crime is compounded when the worst practitioners of the journalistic craft are honored for the success that has rewarded their perversion of its ends and their debasement of its methods.

I think the public must educate itself to tell good from bad journalism, and educate itself further to appreciate that good journalism will not always entertain while bad journalism will never inform. [Emphasis mine]

There's more at the link and, despite the fact that Locsin is speaking specifically of Filipino journalism, his words ring true for any country that purports to have a free press, competent journalists, and objective media. (via A Sassy Lawyer)