By: Abena Bediako

The SPJ code of ethics is clear and direct. Fred Brown wrote them as a guide for professional journalists and made it a point to leave nothing open for interpretation. Whenever they are faced with a difficult decision concerning a story, their reporting skills, or their character, the codes should lead them down the right path.

Former executive producer for ABC News “Nightline,” Tom Bettag believes the standards for journalism are set and clear.

“Journalism is a profession with very specific standards for what you can and what you can’t do,” said Bettag. “And I think they’re pretty well laid out. And pretty well agreed.”

However, there are situations cloudier than others. The code reads journalists must seek truth and report it, minimize harm, act independently, and be accountable and transparent. Some of these principles have become more difficult to follow than others – specifically acting independently.

I’m not referring to reporters publicly aligning themselves with political parties. It’s clear that should never be a topic of discussion. However, there are other movements and acts they might find difficult to separate themselves from.

Journalism is one of the few professions where separating the worker from the occupation is not an option. Frank Whelan, a features writer, participated in a Pride parade in 2006 as a co-grand marshal. Whelan and his partner chose this day to celebrate themselves and their relationship. But does participating in a gay parade contrast with acting independently?

Gay pride might fall under a political issue for some, and others see it as part of their identity. Supporting gay rights doesn’t have to affect your reporting skills, but the audience may not see it the same way. Other journalists might question the act as well.

“I think if you’re a journalist, you’re a journalist, and you can’t take your journalist hat off,” said Bettag. “You know this whole thing about to what extent can you go marching in a parade, like Black Lives Matter, these are really tough issues. And each one of us has to decide that for ourselves.”

Whelan decided and chose himself. He took two days off, considered unpaid suspension by his employer, and never looked back. He felt his job’s reaction to being in the parade fell under the category of sexual discrimination, age discrimination, and defamation. And he proved this with three lawsuits. Whelan was faced with the challenge of choosing between his humanity and his role as a reporter. For issues like this one, reporters must consider things like objectivity and credibility.

“Credibility is so rare that we are in the credibility business. If we are more than anything else trying to be accurate, then we have a chance of being credible,” said Bettag.

While Bettag agrees that credibility must always play a role, he has different views about objectivity.

“The word objectivity, I think, is not a good one. I don’t think journalism ever tried to be objective, that’s an impossibility because we are all brought up with different backgrounds. The goal is to be fair and open-minded. The journalist is saying, ‘I will always keep an open mind.’”

Journalists are not activists and vice versa. A reporter’s opinion and stance on a specific issue should never interfere with their work. They need to remain open-minded because they don’t work to serve themselves. They work to serve the public. Acting otherwise could tarnish their integrity and credibility.

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