Journalistic Ethics Code Updated for AI Era to Safeguard Democracy
POLICY WIRE — New York, USA — The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) has undertaken a significant revision of its Code of Ethics, a document that has guided journalists for over a century....
POLICY WIRE — New York, USA — The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) has undertaken a significant revision of its Code of Ethics, a document that has guided journalists for over a century. This update, the sixth in the code’s history and the first in 12 years, aims to address the challenges posed by artificial intelligence and the changing landscape of journalism.
Dan Axelrod, chairman of the SPJ Ethics Committee, emphasized the critical role of the code in protecting democracy and society. He highlighted the necessity of periodic updates to keep pace with technological advancements and shifting media dynamics.
The revision process, which involved extensive meetings and feedback, culminated in a draft that is 967 words long, 73 words longer than the previous version. The draft, which does not explicitly mention AI but refers to tools and technologies, stresses the ethical responsibility of journalists regardless of the medium or speed of production.
A key addition to the draft encourages journalists to be vigilant and courageous in holding those with power accountable and to counter the marginalization of less powerful groups. This replaces the previous phrase ‘Give voice to the voiceless,’ which was deemed problematic for assuming certain groups lack a voice.
The SPJ, founded in 1909, has revised its code five times before, with the last update in 2014. The core principles of ‘Seek Truth and Report It,’ ‘Minimize Harm,’ ‘Act Independently,’ and ‘Be Accountable and Transparent’ remain unchanged.
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The draft code, which will be voted on by the broader organization in October after a feedback period, also addresses issues like verification, misinformation, and fabricated images. It aims to be a relevant guide for all types of journalists, including freelancers and citizen journalists.
SPJ President Chris Vaccaro expressed confidence in the code’s continued relevance and importance, despite the industry’s changes. He noted that the code, translated into multiple languages, serves as a global standard for ethical journalism.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
