Ethics

CBC Ombudsman Kirk LaPointe has a message for journos in his latest review: Don't call your guest names.

CBC and Radio-Canada are set to review the mandate for their ombudsmen, following last year's successful update of CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices.

British journalist Johann Hari has written a front-page personal apology -- more than two months after he was suspended from The Independent on accusations of plagiarism and fabrication, plus personal attacks on other journalists. Surely, Hari meant it to be sincere. Many journalists, however, say it better fits the old cliché: too little, too late.

This document – along with the accompanying “Principles for Ethical Journalism” – is intended to help both seasoned professionals and new journalists to hold themselves accountable for professional work. While many specific questions are considered here, it is impossible to capture all potential scenarios in a document such as this. Instead, it seeks to provide examples of the application of our general ethical principles, and to help journalists apply those principles and their best judgment when faced with scenarios not covered here. Updates will be issued periodically as new issues come under consideration by the association’s Ethics Advisory Committee; suggestions for additions or amendments should be directed to the committee chair.