Amanda Hess Code Of Ethics

Established in 1926, the journalist code of ethics was updated as recently as 1996 (Hess); this code of ethics protects not only the truth but also the sources journalists use when reporting, among those specified are victims of crimes, minors, and the private people. According to the Amanda Hess’ article “Is All of Twitter Fair Game for Journalists?” the journalist’s code of ethics is “ square.” This sort of thinking leads to journalist abusing their sources. All journalists should regard social media and modern sources with the same code of ethics that has worked since 1926, regardless of subject. Hess begins her argument by bringing up a story of Twitter folk who wanted to speak out against victim-blaming by sharing what they were

The code of ethics that journalist have followed for 90 years is not nulled by the fact that trees aren’t killed to spread their words. The journalistic code asks journalists to “use heightened sensitivity when dealing with juveniles, victims of sex crimes, and sources or subjects who are inexperienced or unable to give consent.” and to “realize that private people have a greater right to control information about themselves than public figures and others who seek power, influence or attention.” (SPJ.org) Hess’ article dismisses this code, as though the people’s right to the truth comes before the people. The reason these articles are controversial and polarizing is because the authors, editors, and proofreaders reading over the piece looking at the works rather than considering the people who said

Any of Buzzfeed’s monthly “150 million unique visitors” could have read and misinterpreted the tweets and with the names and Twitter handles of these kids, who were only looking to joke around on the internet, made public anyone who wanted to voice their thoughts on this article directly to the source they can. Jezebel’s article shaming angry, ignorant youths a single sentence, which does not do the article justice. Jezebel did not merely publicize these kids comments, Twitter handles, photos, and other information listed on their Twitter, Jezebel pursued these kids, Hess only notes that they “notified school administrators,” they also asked after the teenagers scholarships, school athletics, and college acceptance, all of which were retracted from the teen. All of this is in direct violation of the Code of Ethics, protecting minors is a responsibility of journalists, and while they are awful, racist minors, these people were still minors. Ruining the lives of children for ignorant comments posted onto the whole of the internet was entirely the