Journalist Code of Ethics and Illegal Drug Reporting
Unlike the medical or legal fields, journalism does not have a formal code of ethics. There is not an agency that certifies people as journalists. However, there is a basic code of ethics journalists strive to follow.
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Anonymous Sources
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When a reporter writes an article about an illegal enterprise, some sources may want to remain anonymous. It is better to get identifying information if at all possible. This gives authority to the story and allows the public to determine the credibility of sources.
Remain Objective
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A journalist must stay independent. An article about illegal drugs may be an in-depth piece that brings a writer in contact with people multiple times. She may start to feel a friendship forming, and while she needs to cultivate her sources, she also must remain objective.
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Keep Your Word
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If a journalist tells a source she will keep their identity a secret, she should not reveal that source. She should inform her source about the likelihood of their identity being revealed and look for information in her article that could reveal who the source's identity.
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