Journalism

Quarter 1 – Module 3:
Journalists’
Code of Ethics
(Society of Professional Journalists)

Journalism 4-Definition, Importance and Development of Journalism in the Philippines

Competency: Give insights and simulate some real-life situations observing journalists’ code and ethics.
(SPJ4ETH-Ifh-6/7)
 Journalism (English) 4
Journalism Learning Kit
Journalists’ Code of Ethics
Society of Professional Journalists
First Edition, 2020

Published in the Philippines

By the Department of Education
Regional Office VI-Western Visayas
Duran St., Iloilo City, Iloilo

Republic Act 8293, section 176 states that: No copyright shall

subsist in any work of the Government of the Philippines. However, prior
approval of the government agency or office wherein the work is created
shall be necessary for exploitation of such work for profit. Such agency or
office may, among other things, impose as a condition the payment of
royalties.

This Journalism Learning Kit is published to be utilized by the

Department of Education (DepEd) Regional Office VI.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this learning resource may be

reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic or
mechanical without written permission from DepEd Region VI.

Development Team of Journalism Learning Kit

Writer: Mr. Dennis E. Bontogon

Illustrators: Mr. John M. Bermudo, Mr. Joven S. Velasco,

Mr. Armand Glenn S. Lapor and Mr. Mark T. Dasa
Layout Artist: Mr. Dennis E. Bontogon
Region/Division Quality Assurance Team:
Dr. Nestor Paul M. Pingil, Dr. Kyzil D. Lipar,
Mr. Marth S. Tropa, Mr. Mahnnie Q. Tolentino and
Ms. Maienne I. Pabroa

Management Team: RD Ma. Gemma M. Ledesma, Dr. Josilyn S. Solano,

Dr. Elena P. Gonzaga, Dr. Donald T. Genine,
Dr. Nestor Paul M. Pingil, Dr. Miguel Mac D. Aposin,
Mr. Jose Niro R. Nillasca, Dr. Dobie P. Parohinog,
Mr. Michael T. Rapiz, Dr. Kyzil D. Lipar,
Mr. Marth S. Tropa, Mr. Mahnnie Q. Tolentino,
Mrs. Arlyn I. Regalado and Mr. Allan T. Relloto

Journalism 4-Definition, Importance and Development of Journalism in the Philippines ii

Competency: Give insights and simulate some real-life situations observing journalists’ code and ethics.
(SPJ4ETH-Ifh-6/7)
 Introductory Message

Welcome to Journalism (English) 4.

The Journalism Learning Kit is a product of the collaborative

efforts of the Special Program in Journalism (SPJ) teacher-implementers,
writers, illustrators, layout artists, reviewers, editors, and Quality
Assurance Team from the Department of Education, Schools Division of
Aklan. This is developed to guide you dear learning facilitators in helping
our learners meet the standards set by the K to 12 Curriculum.

The Journalism Learning Kit aims to guide our learners in

accomplishing activities at their own pace and time. This also aims to
assist learners in developing and achieving the lifelong learning skills
while considering their needs and situations.

For learning facilitator:

The Journalism Learning Kit is developed to address the current

needs of the learner to continue learning in the comforts of their homes or
learning centers. As the learning facilitator, make sure that you give them
clear instructions on how to study and accomplish the given activities in
the material. Learner’s progress must be monitored.

For the learner:

The Journalism Learning Kit is developed to help you, dear

learner, in your needs to continue learning even if you are not in school.
This learning material aims to primarily provide you with meaningful and
engaging activities for independent learning. Being an active learner,
carefully read and understand to follow the instructions given.

Journalism 4-Definition, Importance and Development of Journalism in the Philippines iii

Competency: Give insights and simulate some real-life situations observing journalists’ code and ethics.
(SPJ4ETH-Ifh-6/7)
Journalists’ Code of Ethics
(Society of Professional Journalists)

BEGIN

Philippine Press Institute

(PPI) promotes its Journalists
Code of Ethics which bear on
shoulders the duties to serve the
interest of the public. (PPI Journalists
Code of Ethics/guidebook/judiciary-
media_rel._project/10-20-04/lorie)

In the same manner, the

Society of Professional
Journalists (SPJ) Code of Ethics
declares these four principles as
the foundation of ethical
journalism and encourages their
use in its practice by all people in
all media.
1. Seek truth and report it.
2. Minimize harm.
3. Act independently.
4. Be accountable and
responsible.
(Society of Professional Journalists Code
of Ethics, Revised September 6, 2014,
Nashville, Tenn.
https://www.spj.org/ethicscode.asp)

TARGET

At the end of this lesson, you should be able to:

1. Give insights and simulate some real-life situations observing
journalists’ code and ethics. (SPJ4ETH-Ifh-6/7)
Journalism 4-Definition, Importance and Development of Journalism in the Philippines
Competency: Give insights and simulate some real-life situations observing journalists’ code and ethics.
1
(SPJ4ETH-Ifh-6/7)
 TRY THIS

Directions: True or False. On the space provided before each item, write
TRUE when the statement is factual and FALSE when it is erroneous.
________ 1. Journalism is concerned on accumulating factual
information, thus disregarding opinions of other persons.
________ 2. Being in the press means business and therefore be driven
by wealth and money.
________ 3. Responsibility in the media requires reporting the truth and
ensuring that statements are quoted exactly.
________ 4. Independence as a journalist’s value is equated to
developmental journalism.
________ 5. Freedom of the press encompasses responsibility in news
reporting, as truth becomes the foreground of journalism.
________ 6. The fundamental quality of the paper rests on the content
and the connections the publisher has.
________ 7. The member of the press may divulge the truth without
considering the laws of the land because journalism is fact
based.
________ 8. The media is prone to be manipulated by the politicians
including the elite and the powerful.
________ 9. Listening to your editor is a good way of maintaining
balanced reporting, while injecting personal opinions in
articles gives bias to news.
_______ 10. The freedom of the press is absolute, that is, the press
enjoys it anytime, every time, everywhere, without
considering the liability to the public.

Source: Bulusan, Ferdinand, Campus Journalism Within Your Reach, Lorimar

Publishing, Inc., Quezon City, Metro Manila. 2016.

Journalism 4-Definition, Importance and Development of Journalism in the Philippines

Competency: Give insights and simulate some real-life situations observing journalists’ code and ethics. 2
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 RECALL

In your previous lesson, you have

cited some notable Filipino journalists in
the past who contributed in the
development of journalism in the
Philippines. Before you engage yourself
to journalists’ code and ethics, you need
to review some important concepts
regarding your previous lesson by
accomplishing this activity.

Directions: Answer the following questions by encircling the letter of your

choice.
1. Who was known as the Patriarch of Filipino Printing?
A. Pinpin de Sarapin C. Tomas Briones
B. Tomas Pinpin C. Tomas Thomas
2. Jose Rizal’s novel that detailed the dark aspect of Spain’s colonial rule
in the Philippines.
A. Noli Me Tangere C. La Solidaridad
B. El Filibusterismo D. Discursos y Articulos Varios
3. What was the newspaper founded by Graciano Lopez-Jaena?
A. El Filibusterismo C. Noli Me Tangere
B. La Solidaridad D. Discursos y Articulos Varios

4. Who is the Father of Philippine journalism?

A. Jose Rizal C. Graciano Lopez-Jaena
B. Mariano Ponce D. Marcelo H. del Pilar

5. Marcelo H. del Pilar published the first Tagalog-Spanish newspaper.

A. Diariong Tagalog C. Malaya
B. Manila Times D. Philippine Daily inquirer

Source: Bontogon, Dennis E, Journalism English 4, First Quarter SPJ Learning

Resource Package, Division of Aklan. 2018.
Journalism 4-Definition, Importance and Development of Journalism in the Philippines 3
Competency: Give insights and simulate some real-life situations observing journalists’ code and ethics.
(SPJ4ETH-Ifh-6/7)
 DO THIS

Activity 1: Let’s begin the JOURNey with a Fact Storming Web

Write the ideas or concepts inside the circle that journalists are
bound by strict guidelines or code of ethics.

Journalists should possess

ethical standards such as:

EXPLORE

Awesome! You did a

wonderful job in providing
answer in the first activity. Now
let us connect your responses
to the questions on next page.
Use separate sheet of paper in
answering the five questions.

Journalism 4-Definition, Importance and Development of Journalism in the Philippines

Competency: Give insights and simulate some real-life situations observing journalists’ code and ethics.
(SPJ4ETH-Ifh-6/7) 4
1. How do you find the first activity?
2. To what aspect are your responses related?
3. How do you think your responses are related about the topic?
4. If you are you going to categorize, what are the key ideas/concepts in
grouping your responses?
5. How can this activity be developed your understanding of journalists’
code and ethics?

KEEP THIS IN MIND

Bravo! You have successfully

made a meaningful connection after
answering the previous activities. Now
you are all set to give insights and
simulate some real-life situations
observing journalists’ code and ethics.

Four Principles of SPJ Code of Ethics

Revised September 6, 2014. SPJ’s National Convention in Nashville, Tenn. https://www.spj.org/ethicscode.asp

1. Seek Truth and Report It. Ethical journalism should be accurate and
fair. Journalists should be honest and courageous in gathering,
reporting and interpreting information.
Journalists should:
➢ Take responsibility for the accuracy of their work. Verify information
before releasing it. Use original sources whenever possible.
➢ Remember that neither speed nor format excuses inaccuracy.
➢ Provide context. Take special care not to misrepresent or oversimplify
in promoting, previewing or summarizing a story.
Journalism 4-Definition, Importance and Development of Journalism in the Philippines 5
Competency: Give insights and simulate some real-life situations observing journalists’ code and ethics.
(SPJ4ETH-Ifh-6/7)
➢ Gather, update and correct information throughout the life of a news
story.
➢ Be cautious when making promises, but keep the promises they make.
➢ Identify sources clearly. The public is entitled to as much information
as possible to judge the reliability and motivations of sources.
➢ Consider sources’ motives before promising anonymity. Reserve
anonymity for sources who may face danger, retribution or other
harm, and have information that cannot be obtained elsewhere.
Explain why anonymity was granted.
➢ Diligently seek subjects of news coverage to allow them to respond to
criticism or allegations of wrongdoing.
➢ Avoid undercover or other surreptitious methods of gathering
information unless traditional, open methods will not yield information
vital to the public.
➢ Be vigilant and courageous about holding those with power
accountable. Give voice to the voiceless.
➢ Support the open and civil exchange of views, even views they find
repugnant.
➢ Recognize a special obligation to serve as watchdogs over public
affairs and government. Seek to ensure that the public’s business is
conducted in the open, and that public records are open to all.
➢ Provide access to source material when it is relevant and appropriate.
➢ Boldly tell the story of the diversity and magnitude of the human
experience. Seek sources whose voices we seldom hear.
➢ Avoid stereotyping. Journalists should examine the ways their values
and experiences may shape their reporting.
➢ Label advocacy and commentary.
➢ Never deliberately distort facts or context, including visual
information. Clearly label illustrations and re-enactments.
➢ Never plagiarize. Always attribute.

Source: Society of Professional Journalists’ Code of Ethics, Revised

September 6, 2014, Nashville, Tenn. https://www.spj.org/ethicscode.asp
Journalism 4-Definition, Importance and Development of Journalism in the Philippines 6
Competency: Give insights and simulate some real-life situations observing journalists’ code and ethics.
(SPJ4ETH-Ifh-6/7)
2. Minimize Harm. Ethical journalism treats sources, subjects,
colleagues and members of the public as human beings deserving of
respect.
Journalists should:
➢ Balance the public’s need for information against potential harm or
discomfort. Pursuit of the news is not a license for arrogance or
undue intrusiveness.
➢ Show compassion for those who may be affected by news coverage.
Use heightened sensitivity when dealing with juveniles, victims of sex
crimes, and sources or subjects who are inexperienced or unable to
give consent. Consider cultural differences in approach and
treatment.
➢ Recognize that legal access to information differs from an ethical
justification to publish or broadcast.
➢ Realize that private people have a greater right to control information
about themselves than public figures and others who seek power,
influence or attention. Weigh the consequences of publishing or
broadcasting personal information.
➢ Avoid pandering to lurid curiosity, even if others do.
➢ Balance a suspect’s right to a fair trial with the public’s right to know.
Consider the implications of identifying criminal suspects before they
face legal charges.
➢ Consider the long-term implications of the extended reach and
permanence of publication. Provide updated and more complete
information as appropriate.

3. Act Independently. The highest and primary obligation of ethical

journalism is to serve the public.
Journalists should:
➢ Avoid conflicts of interest, real or perceived. Disclose unavoidable
conflicts.
➢ Refuse gifts, favors, fees, free travel and special treatment, and avoid
political and other outside activities that may compromise integrity or
impartiality, or may damage credibility.
Source: Society of Professional Journalists’ Code of Ethics, Revised
September 6, 2014, Nashville, Tenn. https://www.spj.org/ethicscode.asp
Journalism 4-Definition, Importance and Development of Journalism in the Philippines 7
Competency: Give insights and simulate some real-life situations observing journalists’ code and ethics.
(SPJ4ETH-Ifh-6/7)
➢ Be wary of sources offering information for favors or money; do not
pay for access to news. Identify content provided by outside sources,
whether paid or not.
➢ Deny favored treatment to advertisers, donors or any other special
interests, and resist internal and external pressure to influence
coverage.
➢ Distinguish news from advertising and shun hybrids that blur the lines
between the two. Prominently label sponsored content.

4. Be Accountable and Transparent. Ethical journalism means taking

responsibility for one’s work and explaining one’s decisions to the public.
Journalists should:
➢ Explain ethical choices and processes to audiences. Encourage a
civil dialogue with the public about journalistic practices, coverage
and news content.
➢ Respond quickly to questions about accuracy, clarity and fairness.
➢ Acknowledge mistakes and correct them promptly and prominently.
Explain corrections and clarifications carefully and clearly.
➢ Expose unethical conduct in journalism, including within their
organizations.
➢ Abide by the same high standards they expect of others.
Source: Society of Professional Journalists’ Code of Ethics, Revised September
6, 2014, Nashville, Tenn. https://www.spj.org/ethicscode.asp

SUM UP

You are almost done with

this module. You have familiarized
with the Society of Professional
Journalists’ Code of Ethics. Now,
let’s recap the important things you
have learned.

Journalism 4-Definition, Importance and Development of Journalism in the Philippines

Competency: Give insights and simulate some real-life situations observing journalists’ code and ethics.
8
(SPJ4ETH-Ifh-6/7)
 The SPJ Code of Ethics is a statement of abiding principles, a
guide that encourages all who engage in journalism to take
responsibility for the information they provide, regardless of medium.
1. Seek truth and report it. Ethical journalism should be accurate
and fair. Journalists should be honest and courageous in
gathering, reporting and interpreting information.
2. Minimize harm. Ethical journalism treats sources, subjects,
colleagues and members of the public as human beings deserving
of respect.
3. Act independently. The highest and primary obligation of ethical
journalism is to serve the public.
4. Be accountable and transparent. Ethical journalism means
taking responsibility for one’s work and explaining one’s decisions
to the public.
Source: Society of Professional Journalists’ Code of Ethics, Revised
September 6, 2014, Nashville, Tenn. https://www.spj.org/ethicscode.asp

APPLY YOUR SKILLS

Journalists use several methods to justify their decisions. In most

circumstances or situations, editors and reporters discuss the issue and
the consequences of publication before making the decisions. They
consider how newsworthy the story is and whether the public really needs
this information. The process of ethical reasoning can be shown into three
steps:
1. Understand the condition. Consider all the problems the story or
photograph will pose.
2. Examine all your alternatives. You can publish, not publish, wait for a
while until you get more information before publishing, display the story
or photo prominently or in a lesser position, or choose other options.
3. Justify your decision. Weigh the harms and the benefits of publication,
or weigh such factors as relevance and importance of the story to the
public.
Source: Rich, Carole, Writing and Reporting News A Coaching Method, Fifth Edition,
Thomson Wadsworth, United States of America. 2007.
Journalism 4-Definition, Importance and Development of Journalism in the Philippines 9
Competency: Give insights and simulate some real-life situations observing journalists’ code and ethics.
(SPJ4ETH-Ifh-6/7)
Activity 2: Simulation of SPJ Code of Ethics
Coconuts Manila, May 14, 2020 | 11:02am Manila time
https://coconuts.co/manila/news/nbi-investigates-mocha-uson-for-allegedly-posting-
false-info-and-photos-on-facebook/

The case: National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Deputy Director

Ferdinand Lavin told a newspaper that Ms. Margaux "Mocha"
Uson was asked to appear at their office on May 18 after two
complainants, named Angelo Landagan and Shaira Agting, accused
the former entertainer of violating Republic Act 10175, or
the Bayanihan (“Camaraderie”) to Heal as One Act of 2020. Section
6(f) of the law prohibits individuals from spreading false information in
connection with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Uson was summoned because she wrote sometime last month that the
Department of Health gave personal protective equipment (PPEs) to
healthcare workers. Uson attached a photo of several frontliners
wearing PPEs, but netizens pointed out that the image was actually
from the SM Foundation, which donated equipment to healthcare
providers.
Simulation: Given that you are working as an editor upholding the
administration, will you print as what Uson did? How will you write the
story?
What ethical guidelines under the Society of Professional Journalists’
Code of Ethics will you apply? You may use separate sheet if needed.
________________________________________________________
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Journalism 4-Definition, Importance and Development of Journalism in the Philippines
Competency: Give insights and simulate some real-life situations observing journalists’ code and ethics.
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 REFLECT
REFLECT
REFLECT

Well done! You have

shown great improvement
after accomplishing all the
tasks in the lesson. This
time, you will reflect on your
work and rate your learning
competency.

Activity 3: A JOURNey to STOP, LOOK, and GO!

Directions: Accomplish the infographic. Write your responses in the line.
How are you doing so far?

1 THING I REALLY DO NOT UNDERSTAND

______________________________________

2 THINGS I WANT TO ASK

______________________________________
______________________________________

3 THINGS I HAVE LEARNED

______________________________________
______________________________________
______________________________________

Journalism 4-Definition, Importance and Development of Journalism in the Philippines

Competency: Give insights and simulate some real-life situations observing journalists’ code and ethics.
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(SPJ4ETH-Ifh-6/7)
 COLLABORATE

Activity 4: SHARE AND COMPARE.

Directions: Virtual collaborative works with your assigned classmate to
gain other’s insights on journalists’ code of ethics. Both of you will agree
to create and share two case problems to complete the four principles. Let
him/her go over with problem cases and accomplish the ethical guidelines.
After a given period, compare and contrast your insights with his/her on
the different principles. Do this in the table provided or may use separate
sheet if necessary.

Own Name:
Classmate’s Name:
Principle Case Ethical Guidelines
Seek truth
and report it.

Minimize
harm.

Act
independently.

Be
accountable
and
transparent.
Similarity/ies
of Insights

Difference/s of
Insights

Journalism 4-Definition, Importance and Development of Journalism in the Philippines

Competency: Give insights and simulate some real-life situations observing journalists’ code and ethics. 12
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 ASSESSMENT

Directions: Answer the following questions as best as you can from what
you have learned on the content. Write your answer before each item.
I. Match Column A with Column B as the SPJ Code of Ethics.
A B
___ 1. Seek Truth A. Refuse gifts, favors, fees, free travel, and
and Report It special treatment, and avoid political and
other outside activities that may compromise
integrity or impartiality, or may damage
credibility.
___ 2. Minimize Harm B. Acknowledge mistakes and correct
them promptly and prominently. Explain
corrections and clarifications carefully and
clearly.
___ 3. Act C. Take responsibility for the accuracy of their
Independently work. Verify information before releasing it.
Use original sources whenever possible.
___ 4. Be Accountable D. Recognize that legal access to
and Transparent information differs from an ethical justification
to publish or broadcast.
II. Simulate the given case and give your insights which involved
journalists’ code of ethics. Write your answer in the line provided.
Case
You are assigned to write a feature about a new teacher in your
school. Though you are in a remote setting because of COVID-19, you
want to compose an anecdotal lead focusing on a teacher for your
story, but you don’t have a real source. Should you use a hypothetical
teacher without telling the reader or being based on a suggested idea
about a teacher? If so, what are the ethical considerations and
alternatives?
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
Journalism 4-Definition, Importance and Development of Journalism in the Philippines
Competency: Give insights and simulate some real-life situations observing journalists’ code and ethics. 13
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 GLOSSARY

Accountable Required or expected to justify actions or decisions; responsible.

Act To conduct oneself: Behave.
Code A system of principles or rules (moral).
Ethics Moral principles or practice.
Independent Not easily influence; showing self-reliance and personal freedom.
Minimize To reduce or keep to a minimum.
Preamble An introductory fact or circumstance indicating what to follow.
Professional Characterized by or conforming to the technical standards of a
profession.
Report To prepare or present (as an account of an event) for a
newspaper or a broadcast.
Seek To try to reach or obtain: attempt.
Society A part of a community bound together by common interests and
standards.
Transparent Characterized by visibility or accessibility of information.
Truth The body of real things, events, and facts.

ANSWER KEY

Try This: 1. F 2. F 3. T 4. T 5. T 6. T 7. F 8. T 9. T 10. F

Recall: 1. B 2. A 3. B 4. D 5. A
Assessment: I. 1. C 2. D 3. A 4. B

REFERENCES

Bontogon, Dennis E, Journalism English 4, First Quarter SPJ Learning Resource

Package, Division of Aklan. 2018.
Bulusan, Ferdinand, Campus Journalism Within Your Reach, Lorimar Publishing,
Inc., Quezon City, Metro Manila. 2016.
Coconuts Manila May 14, 2020 | 11:02am Manila time
https://coconuts.co/manila/news/nbi-investigates-mocha-uson-for-allegedly-
posting-false-info-and-photos-on-facebook/
PPI Journalists Code of Ethics/guidebook/judiciary-media_rel._project/10-20
04/lorie
Rich, Carole, Writing and Reporting News A Coaching Method, Fifth Edition,
Thomson Wadsworth, United States of America. 2007.
Society of Professional Journalists’ Code of Ethics, Revised September 6, 2014,
Nashville, Tenn. https://www.spj.org/ethicscode.asp
Journalism 4-Definition, Importance and Development of Journalism in the Philippines
Competency: Give insights and simulate some real-life situations observing journalists’ code and ethics. 14
(SPJ4ETH-Ifh-6/7)