Frosh Voices: 2008-05-04

The Poynter Ethics Tool by Bob Steele

What do I know? What do I need to know?
What is my journalistic purpose?
What are my ethical concerns?
What organizational policies and professional guidelines should I consider?
How can I include other people, with different perspectives and diverse ideas, in the decision-making process?
Who are the stakeholders -- those affected by my decision? What are their motivations? Which are legitimate?
What if the roles were reversed? How would I feel if I were in the shoes of one of the stakeholders?
What are my alternatives to maximize my truthtelling responsibility and minimize harm?
Can I clearly and fully justify my thinking and my decision? To my colleagues? To the stakeholders? To the public?