Recognizing the importance to a democracy of an informed public, the members of the RTNDA of Canada believe the broadcasting of factual, accurately-reported and timely news and public affairs is vital. To that end, RTNDA members pledge to observe the following Code of Ethics:
Article One
The main purpose of broadcast journalism is to inform the public in an accurate, comprehensive and balanced manner about events of importance.
Article Two
News and public affairs broadcasts will put events into perspective by presenting relevant background information. Factors such as race, creed, nationality or religion will be reported only when relevant. Comment and editorial opinion will be identified as such. Errors will be quickly acknowledged and publicly corrected.
Article Three
Broadcast journalists will not sensationalize news items and will resist pressures, whether from inside or outside the broadcasting industry, to do so. They will in no way distort the news. Broadcast journalists will not edit taped interviews to distort the meaning, intent, or actual words of the interviewee.
Article Four
Broadcast journalists will always display respect for the dignity, privacy and well-being of everyone with whom they deal, and make every effort to ensure that the privacy of public persons is infringed only to the extent necessary to satisfy the public interest and accurately report the news.
Article Five
Broadcast journalists will govern themselves on and off the job in such a way as to avoid conflict of interest, real or apparent.
Article Six
Broadcast journalists will seek to remove any impediments or bans on the use of electronic news gathering equipment at public proceedings, believing that such access is in the public interest. They acknowledge the importance of protection of confidential information and sources.
Article Seven
News directors recognize that informed analysis, comment and editorial opinion on public events and issues is both a right and responsibility that should be delegated only to individuals whose experience and judgement qualify them for it.
Article Eight
Broadcast journalists shall conduct themselves politely, keeping broadcast equipment as unobtrusive as possible. Broadcast journalists will try to prevent their presence from distorting the character or importance of events.
Article Nine
In reporting matters that are or may be before the courts, broadcast journalists will ensure that their reporting does not interfere with the right of an individual to a fair trial.
Article Ten
Reporting of criminal activities, such as hostage-takings, will be done in a fashion that does not knowingly endanger lives, hamper attempts by authorities to conclude the event, offer comfort and support or provide vital information, to the perpetrator(s). RTNDA members will not contact either victim(s) or perpetrator(s) of a criminal activity during the course of the event, with the purpose of conducting an interview for broadcast.
Article Eleven
The RTNDA will seek to enforce this code through its members and encourage all broadcast journalists, whether RTNDA members or not, to observe its spirit. News directors will try whenever possible and within programming format constraints to publicize the existence of the Code of Ethics, and state that their news department adheres to the code. In any such announcement, it should be mentioned that copies of the code can be obtained by writing the RTNDA or the news director at the station.
Revised 1986
