Ethical Communication in the Digital Age
What do journalistic ethics have to do with your social media presence?
In today’s world, where social media has turned everyone into de facto journalists, the lines between professional reporting and personal expression have blurred. Whether you’re an influencer, blogger, or just someone sharing thoughts on Facebook, your opinions are out there for the world to see. This visibility can contribute positively to public discourse but also risks spreading false information or harming an innocent person’s reputation.
As a Catholic author, I try to be mindful of journalistic principles, even in casual writing. It’s disheartening to witness the erosion of ethics in our current social media landscape. Reporters are crucial in free societies, acting as the gatekeepers through which the public learns about the world. What they choose to report and how they portray events can profoundly shape public opinion.
Given journalists’ significant influence, the profession has traditionally adhered to high standards of conduct to ensure reliable and honest reporting. These principles were designed to guide reporters in their public duties. While it’s debatable how consistently these principles are followed in the era of social media and the 24/7 news cycle, they remain as relevant and necessary as ever.
Online Integrity for All
Even if we are not credentialed journalists, we play a similar role whenever we post on social media. Social media has replaced the old journalistic estate in many respects. Surveys show that at least half of adults use social media as a news source. Studies have also revealed that social media can shape public opinion, sometimes profoundly.
We should, therefore, be cognizant of how we conduct ourselves online, especially when sharing information. As Catholic Christians, we should always be mindful of the Eighth Commandment of the Decalogue: Thou Shalt Not Bear False Witness, which enjoins us to maintain honesty and charity in communicating. Here, the traditional principle of journalistic integrity can be helpful.
The following principles serve as the foundation for ethical journalism, ensuring integrity, reliability, and trustworthiness in news reporting and communication in general. We should keep them in mind when we share anything online…
1. Accuracy and Fairness
- When sharing facts, ensure they are verified and presented accurately.
- Provide a balanced outlook and consider all sides of an issue reasonably.
2. Independence
- Work to keep independent from external influences, such as advertisers, political groups, or personal biases.
- See Phillip Campbell’s article on How to Recognize Misinformation.
3. Accountability
- Be accountable for your public discourse. Correct and apologize for mistakes promptly.
- If you allow feedback, address legitimate criticisms respectfully.
4. Impartiality
- Avoid conflicts of interest.
- Strive for objectivity.
5. Transparency
- Disclose sources of information unless there is a compelling reason to protect a person’s anonymity.
- Be transparent about any potential biases or influences.
6. Ethical Conduct
- Refrain from gossip, respecting the privacy and dignity of individual persons.
- Avoid sensationalism and respect public decency.
7. Public Interest
- Post about stories that contribute to the public good.
- Share about issues that affect your community.
8. Diligence
- Do your research before sharing information online.
- Invest at least a bit of time fact-checking.
9. Humanity
- Avoid causing undue harm or distress to others.
- Show compassion and respect for those affected by your posts.
10. Corrections
- Clearly and promptly correct any inaccuracies or errors.
- Make corrections visible and easily accessible to your audience.
Given the toxic atmosphere on social media and the increasing polarization of our public spaces, it behooves us all to conduct ourselves with integrity and respect in online venues. Though traditional journalism is dying, the traditional principles of journalistic integrity are more important today than ever—not just for professional journalists but for everyone.
Incidentally, Homeschool Connections has an eight-week course on journalism for high school students interested in the world of communication in the public square.
What are your thoughts on this topic? To continue the discussion, join me and other homeschooling parents at our Homeschool Connections Community or our Facebook group!
