Many people are alarmed about the state of journalism. Polls have been indicating more and more that the audience is wondering how honest and fair journalists are.
             In the 1980s there were several unusual violations to journalism. Reporters were caught making up parts or all of their stories. In one case, a woman given journalism's highest honor, a Pulitzer Prize, had to give it back when they found out that her main character in the prize-winning story didn't exist.
             Accuracy, to the ethical journalist, has a special meaning and close doesn't count. Accuracy is the highest of the principles of the ethical journalist, and it means that every bit of information printed has to be exact; spelling, facts, names, places, quotes, etc. Even the smallest mistake cuts into the journalist's credibility.
             Another of the journalist's highest principles is objectivity. This is the state of mind that journalists acquire to make them fair, neutral observers of events and issues. They cannot express personal feelings, likes or dislikes to color news stories. Journalists should always seek to provide the audience with unbiased accounts of the news. The journalist who vows to do so has taken a long first step to the road to professionalism.
             Accuracy and objectivity are by no means the only principles a journalist must live by. They also have to be sure to have good taste. They can't put sexually explicit material in newspapers or magazines and must seek understatement, not overstatement. They must avoid profanity and they cannot invade the privacy of others or glorify bad behavior.
             Journalists must be sure to show fairness to all. Everyone in the audience has an equal right to expect to be treated fairly, regardless of race, color, philosophy, religion, gender, age, or economic status. They should never apply different standards to different people or groups.
             Plagiarism is also a very important issue. Plagiarism is passing off work o...