BDFM code of ethics

by | Nov 6, 2006

Additional Policy Guidelines: BDFM Editorial
Code of Conduct and Ethics

In addition to the provisions made in the Johncom’s Code of Conduct and Ethics the following will apply to BDFM editorial employees:

1. Basic principles:
Journalists are expected to respect the basic tenets of natural justice, to which SA’s constitution is an exemplary guide. It is also the standard against which actions might ultimately be judged. Our constitution relies heavily on two simple principles that exist in almost all written constitutions. These are:

  • hear all sides and
  • ensure that decision-making is independent.

Practically, in the journalistic profession, this amounts to the following:

  • First, take every possible step to ensure that both praise and criticism are backed up by knowledgeable, independent sources.
  • second, ensure that anyone who is criticised is given an opportunity to respond.
  • third, make an active attempt to seek out and highlight the independent view, and
  • fourth, written editorial policy for each publication that is distributed to all employees.

2. Ethics

  1. One of our responsibilities as journalists is to expose injustice and corruption, and if we are to perform this function effectively, we cannot ourselves be guilty of unethical behaviour. Our jobs often entail balancing conflicting interests and consequently we need to be clear about what we should and should not do in the process of collecting and distributing news.
  2. As journalists working for the financial press in particular, we have to be unusually conscious of these ethical questions because our reports can dramatically affect investor sentiment. Journalists who work for the financial press make decisions daily which can affect thousands of employees and investors. In short, dishonest journalism or deceitful journalists can do immense harm to the publication, undermining its credibility and, ultimately, driving away readers and advertisers.
  3. Hence, BDFM journalists are expected to maintain the highest ethical standards and preserve the publication’s reputation for independence and integrity. With a view to maintaining the highest possible standards, these guidelines will form an integral part of BDFM’s performance management procedures and each journalist will be required to sign the code of conduct and ethics, thereby agreeing to its terms and spirit.
  4. BDFM journalists should never represent themselves as anything other than a journalist or editor of the publication, even when doing so could result in them not receiving information that readers might find valuable. Any exceptions to this rule require the explicit permission of the editor.
  5. BDFM employees should never offer payment or favours in exchange for information from sources. Journalists should carefully weigh up offers of exclusivity in exchange for information. However journalists should not cut deals with their sources to present information in a certain way in exchange for exclusivity.
  6. Journalists should avoid any activity that could impair their impartiality. Journalists’ civic duty or political beliefs could very well entail support for or membership of an organisation or a movement. But if the organisation forms part of their reporting responsibility, they should not accept payment from the organisation concerned or hold an executive post. Where potential conflict exists journalists have a duty to inform the editor. Failure to do so will be construed as a breach of this code.
  7. Journalists should respect the dignity, privacy and personal well being of people with whom they deal.
  8. Where a journalist has an interest and/or is a player in an industry, he/she should request the newsdesk to disclose THIS at the bottom of the article, or to assign the story elsewhere.
  9. Errors must be promptly acknowledged and corrected.
  1. One of our responsibilities as journalists is to expose injustice and corruption, and if we are to perform this function effectively, we cannot ourselves be guilty of unethical behaviour. Our jobs often entail balancing conflicting interests and consequently we need to be clear about what we should and should not do in the process of collecting and distributing news.
  2. As journalists working for the financial press in particular, we have to be unusually conscious of these ethical questions because our reports can dramatically affect investor sentiment. Journalists who work for the financial press make decisions daily which can affect thousands of employees and investors. In short, dishonest journalism or deceitful journalists can do immense harm to the publication, undermining its credibility and, ultimately, driving away readers and advertisers.
  3. Hence, BDFM journalists are expected to maintain the highest ethical standards and preserve the publication’s reputation for independence and integrity. With a view to maintaining the highest possible standards, these guidelines will form an integral part of BDFM’s performance management procedures and each journalist will be required to sign the code of conduct and ethics, thereby agreeing to its terms and spirit.
  4. BDFM journalists should never represent themselves as anything other than a journalist or editor of the publication, even when doing so could result in them not receiving information that readers might find valuable. Any exceptions to this rule require the explicit permission of the editor.
  5. BDFM employees should never offer payment or favours in exchange for information from sources. Journalists should carefully weigh up offers of exclusivity in exchange for information. However journalists should not cut deals with their sources to present information in a certain way in exchange for exclusivity.
  6. Journalists should avoid any activity that could impair their impartiality. Journalists’ civic duty or political beliefs could very well entail support for or membership of an organisation or a movement. But if the organisation forms part of their reporting responsibility, they should not accept payment from the organisation concerned or hold an executive post. Where potential conflict exists journalists have a duty to inform the editor. Failure to do so will be construed as a breach of this code.
  7. Journalists should respect the dignity, privacy and personal well being of people with whom they deal.
  8. Where a journalist has an interest and/or is a player in an industry, he/she should request the newsdesk to disclose THIS at the bottom of the article, or to assign the story elsewhere.
  9. Errors must be promptly acknowledged and corrected.

 

  1. One of our responsibilities as journalists is to expose injustice and corruption, and if we are to perform this function effectively, we cannot ourselves be guilty of unethical behaviour. Our jobs often entail balancing conflicting interests and consequently we need to be clear about what we should and should not do in the process of collecting and distributing news.
  2. As journalists working for the financial press in particular, we have to be unusually conscious of these ethical questions because our reports can dramatically affect investor sentiment. Journalists who work for the financial press make decisions daily which can affect thousands of employees and investors. In short, dishonest journalism or deceitful journalists can do immense harm to the publication, undermining its credibility and, ultimately, driving away readers and advertisers.
  3. Hence, BDFM journalists are expected to maintain the highest ethical standards and preserve the publication’s reputation for independence and integrity. With a view to maintaining the highest possible standards, these guidelines will form an integral part of BDFM’s performance management procedures and each journalist will be required to sign the code of conduct and ethics, thereby agreeing to its terms and spirit.
  4. BDFM journalists should never represent themselves as anything other than a journalist or editor of the publication, even when doing so could result in them not receiving information that readers might find valuable. Any exceptions to this rule require the explicit permission of the editor.
  5. BDFM employees should never offer payment or favours in exchange for information from sources. Journalists should carefully weigh up offers of exclusivity in exchange for information. However journalists should not cut deals with their sources to present information in a certain way in exchange for exclusivity.
  6. Journalists should avoid any activity that could impair their impartiality. Journalists’ civic duty or political beliefs could very well entail support for or membership of an organisation or a movement. But if the organisation forms part of their reporting responsibility, they should not accept payment from the organisation concerned or hold an executive post. Where potential conflict exists journalists have a duty to inform the editor. Failure to do so will be construed as a breach of this code.
  7. Journalists should respect the dignity, privacy and personal well being of people with whom they deal.
  8. Where a journalist has an interest and/or is a player in an industry, he/she should request the newsdesk to disclose THIS at the bottom of the article, or to assign the story elsewhere.
  9. Errors must be promptly acknowledged and corrected.

3. More on Gifts, Hospitality, Favours & Free  (Sponsored) Trips

BDFM employees should not accept gifts from companies, sources, suppliers or customers in excess of R200. All gifts of whatever value should be declared to the editor or his/her representative and the recipients are encouraged to hand them over to the editor/representative for the annual Christmas raffle.

Journalists should never undertake to publish or not publish any material in exchange for favours of any description.

Journalists must under no circumstances commit the paper to publishing a story about a company or other organisation in return for a trip. Any story based on a sponsored journey must be as balanced and well-researched as any story written in the newsroom. As with any other story, anyone taking a trip should make a point of seeking out opinions other than those of the sponsor, e.g., competitors, analysts, other governments. Paid accommodation and transport while on assignment may be accepted on the sole criterion of whether it benefits the publication. All invitations must be routed in writing through the editor or whoever the editor delegates.

If an article is written during or following a journey, a note will appear at the bottom of the article detailing who sponsored it.

4. Credit
Acknowledge news produced by other news gathering mediums. After a time, facts might become general knowledge, but until then, the publication that broke the news must be credited. Presenting wire copy as your own work amounts to plagiarism. The practice of simply rewriting press releases and taking credit for their contents should be avoided -the normal disciplines of newswriting must apply.

5. Extra-curricular activities
All freelance work conducted must be cleared first with the editor or his representative (where appropriate).