Sarah Koenig Code Of Ethics Summary

When it comes to writing a journal, a professional article, a novel, podcast or any sort of registered document, it is essential that an author follow the “Code of Ethics” established by the Society of Professional Journalists. The “Code of Ethics” serves as a guideline for authors and offers useful suggestions in terms of what content to include or remove from transcripts to keep the ethical standards of journalism. An example of such use of the code can be found in the investigative news coverage podcast entitled Serial facilitated by journalist Sarah Koenig through a series of recorded phone interviews released publicly. The podcast narrates a non-fictional story told in a continuing plot that unfolds over a sequence of multiple episodes.

The main suspect in the homicide, Adnan Masud Syed, Lee’s former lover, was arrested, charged with first-degree murder and given a life sentence. In terms of following the code, Koenig was meticulous to follow the framework, making an effort to remain unbiased, ethical and nonjudgmental in her narration. Koenig was certain to stray away from racial biases against the podcast characters, respected the privacy of those who she interviewed, kept identities private and acknowledged any speculations that may have been false.

Despite this, it has been debated if whether or not, Sarah Koenig’s reporting of an ongoing investigation can be classified as ethical in accordance to the “Code of Ethics”. The main argument against the podcast is whether Koenig’s unconventional art of journalism could be unethical if it is proven that something the

The Society of Professional Journalists’ “Code of Ethics” strongly urges the disuse of biases. The guideline clearly states “avoid stereotyping. Journalists should examine the ways their values and experiences shape their reporting” (‘Code of Ethics’). The quotation from the code of ethics advises writers to stay away from “stereotypes” which are instance judgment individuals make towards people based on sexual orientation, race, gender or age. Koenig had encounters with a diverse cast of people from different races and religions whilst narrating the podcast. Koenig was able to tell the story without being offensive nor stereotypical of the people, throwing away any preconceptions and interviewing them objectively. In fact in the podcast, the journalist narrates, in relation to the accused Adnan, “he was going to clubs and having sex with girls, and smoking weed from the time he was fourteen or fifteen. Culturally, yes a Muslim, but the rest, he say not so much” (Serial Podcast Ep.2). One would not expect behavior from someone of the Islamic faith which speaks negatively of the behaviors depicted by the suspect. Dating, sexual intercourse before marriage and recreational drug use are all strictly against the laws of Islam. Despite this being common knowledge, Koenig erased all previous gen,