Journal for the Study of Antisemitism

2009] BETRAYING TRUTH 149
Major American newspapers have codified their own rules regarding
professionalism and ethics in reporting, but some do not specifically
address the issues of bias and balance. For example, the New York Times’
Code of Conduct revolves mostly around the avoidance of bias engendered
by personal relationships. But the general principle underlying its rules is
clear: “[I]t is essential that we preserve professional detachment, free of any
hint of bias.” 38
Similar ethical codes are in place in virtually all Western countries.
Britain’s National Union of Journalists also promulgates a code of
conduct, among whose pertinent provisions are that –
A journalist shall rectify promptly any harmful inaccuracies, ensure that
correction and apologies receive due prominence and afford the right of
reply to persons criticised when the issue is of sufficient importance. . . .
No journalist shall knowingly cause or allow the publication or broadcast
of a photograph that has been manipulated unless that photograph is
clearly labelled as such. Manipulation does not include normal dodging,
burning, colour balancing, spotting, contrast adjustment, cropping and
obvious masking for legal or safety reasons. 39
The National Syndicate of French Journalists adopted a code of conduct
that states in part, “A journalist worthy of the name . . . considers the
slander, unfounded accusations, alteration of documents, distortion of facts,
and lying to be the most serious professional misconduct.” 40 The German
Press Code likewise asserts that “respect for the truth, preservation of
human dignity and accurate informing of the public are the overriding principles
of the press.” 41 In Italy, a journalist “has to respect, cultivate and
clarify and explain news coverage and invite dialogue with the public
over journalistic conduct; encourage the public to voice grievances
against the news media; admit mistakes and correct them promptly;
expose unethical practices of journalists and the news media; and abide
by the same high standards to which they hold others. Id.
38. See New York Times Code of Conduct, paragraph 25, available at http://
www.nytco.com/press/ethics.html
39. See National Union of Journalists Code of Conduct (paragraphs 4 and 12),
http://media.gn.apc.org/nujcode.html.
40. See National Syndicate of French Journalists (adopted by the National Syndicate
of French Journalists in 1918 and revised and completed by the Syndicate in
1938), http://www.ijnet.org/Director.aspx?P’Ethics&ID’8299&LID’1.
41. Section 1, German Press Code, EthicNet, http://ethicnet.uta.fi/germany/german_press_code.
In 2001, Germany hosted a conference on The Ethics of Journalism
. . .in the Islamic-Western Context, which noted many signs of a common
ground between journalists of Islamic and Western countries. See http://
www.journalism-islam.de/con_introduction.htm.