In the buildup to a governorship election in one of the northern states, I received a call from a politician’s aide. He had some “documents” he claimed would expose another contender in the race. The story would have made headlines and potentially skyrocketed engagement on our platform. But as I listened to the aide, a red flag went up.
The source was shaky—unable to answer some important questions I raised. There were inconsistencies in his narrative, and it became clear that the politician behind this wanted to use my platform as a tool to damage his rival’s reputation. Despite the pressure and the allure of breaking a big story, I chose not to publish it.
A few days later, another national paper ran with the story. It caused quite a stir initially, but soon after, the cracks started to show. The politician who had been named threatened legal action, and the paper was forced to retract the story and issue a public apology. That could have been me.
This experience reminded me why ethics in journalism isn’t just important—it’s everything. Here are three reasons why it matters now more than ever:
1. Safeguarding public trust
Public trust in the media is fragile, especially in an age of misinformation. When journalists adhere to ethical principles, they help restore faith in journalism as a reliable source of information. The moment we compromise on ethics for the sake of sensationalism, we betray the public’s trust. And once trust is broken, it’s nearly impossible to win it back.
2. Protecting your credibility and reputation
The moment a journalist compromises their ethics, they risk losing credibility. Your name and your platform are your currency in this field. If people can’t trust that what you publish is factual and fair, they will look elsewhere. Had I run that story, my reputation—and that of my organisation—would have taken a hit. Ethics protect your long-term credibility, not just your next headline.
3. Preserving the integrity of the profession
Journalism has a profound responsibility in society. We are tasked with uncovering the truth and holding power to account. By sticking to ethical standards, we not only uphold the integrity of our work but also protect the integrity of the profession as a whole. When one journalist acts unethically, it tarnishes the entire industry.
I believe that ethics is the backbone of responsible journalism. Without it, journalism loses its true purpose and power.
In a world flooded with so much misinformation and manipulation, staying true to ethical standards of the profession will preserve credibility, protect the public, and ensure journalism’s role as a pillar of truth.
#JournalismEthics #MediaCredibility #ResponsibleJournalism #NeverSettle
