A New Look at Journalism Ethics
It’s conventional wisdom among journalists that while the world around us changes, our ethics do not. Yet a fresh look at our standards and practices seems a worthwhile pursuit at this moment. Trust in the press has declined. Politicians lie to the media and to the public, and we have to decide how to cover those lies. Internally, journalists are debating the merits of objectivity in the approach to news, and how to best protect their sources. The rise of nonprofit newsrooms brings new questions about funding. And the rapid growth of AI presents new quandaries. For this series, I interviewed dozens of scholars and journalists, including many standards editors in the biggest US newsrooms. The result was a white paper and a series of stories published in Columbia Journalism Review.
Thirteen Journalists on How They’re Rethinking Ethics
We asked newsroom leaders and ethicists what they’re keeping or changing in an era of Trump, “fake news,” AI, and industry decline.
What Do Journalists Owe Their Sources—and Their Audiences?
As digital tools advance, there are more ways than ever to seek the truth. There are also more ways to lose trust.
For Nonprofit Newsrooms, Ethical Funding Is Essential
How outlets are updating their strategies to protect editorial independence.
Is Objectivity Still Worth Pursuing?
A generation of journalists is challenging traditional standards.
Can AI Tools Meet Journalistic Standards?
So far, the results are spotty.
How Should Journalists Call Out Lies in the Age of Trump and AI?
Journalists must find new ways to talk about false information.