What is Journalism?

It seems a pretty fundamental question, particularly for those of us who express our dissatisfaction with the standard of journalists and their work

I thought an appropriate starting point would be an industry body site https://www.meaa.org/meaa-media/code-of-ethics/

There are understandable limitations given that @withMEAA can only give guidance and scrutiny to members and only look at pieces which are published not comment, social media and the like

I'm fine with that

So, what is the standard of ethics we should expect?

MEAA Journalist Code of Ethics

(Directly cut)

"Respect for truth and the public’s right to information are fundamental principles of journalism. Journalists search, disclose, record, question, entertain, comment and remember. They inform citizens and animate democracy."

Interestingly, it goes on...

"They scrutinise power, but also exercise it, and should be responsible and accountable."

This is one of the areas in which I believe we find they fail most frequently

Journalist weild enormous power. I believe it's our duty to scrutinise them

It goes on..

"MEAA members engaged in journalism commit themselves to:

Honesty 
Fairness 
Independence 
Respect for the rights of others"

It's probably exactly what we all want.

Do you believe it's what we get?

I'd love to hear from you and get your take

Please use #ThisIsNotJournalism to call out any instance of published media that you feel is in breach of the above, very reasonable, Code of Ethics particularly in the area of reporting on #auspol

Cheers