Honor Pledge Addendum – Ethical Behavior Expected of Journalism
Students
The Philip Merrill
College of Journalism requires students to adhere to the highest standards of
honesty, ethical and professional behavior, and transparency. What follows are examples
of a number of behaviors that are not tolerated in the Philip Merrill College
of Journalism. If you are ever in doubt, please ask your professor or editor
before engaging in any behavior that you are not sure meets the highest ethical
standards. You will not be penalized for asking.
DON’T interview or use images of friends, family, roommates, fraternity
brothers, sorority sisters, co-workers or close acquaintances without first
clearing it with your professor or editor. You must disclose any relationships
that might create a conflict of interest or an appearance of a conflict of
interest.
DON’T take quotes or exclusive information from another news source
without specifically citing it. Even when you paraphrase, make sure to
disclose where the information is coming from. Information that is ubiquitous
and accessible from multiple trusted, primary sources – i.e., the age of a
president – does not have to be cited.
DO make context for your sources clear in
your story. For example: “said during a class lecture; said in a news
conference; wrote in a press release; said in a prepared statement.”
DO NOT pass off old statements as new.
Tell the reader/viewer/listener when and where the statement was made.
DO NOT misrepresent statements made in
class as statements made in an interview. It is the ethical, courteous thing to
do to let a class speaker or professor know you are quoting something they
said. Do the ethical, courteous thing.
DON’T make up information, no matter how minor you think it is.
DON’T assume you know anything. Don’t guess. Check, verify and
double-check everything - names, titles, dates, numbers - every fact.
DON’T use your reporter’s notebook to check facts and spellings of
names. If you got it wrong when you wrote it down, it will still be wrong the
next time you look in your notebook. Go to a primary source.
DON’T re-enact or stage events for photos or video, or for text
summaries accompanying that multimedia, without the permission of your
professor or editor. We’re in the business of journalism, not fiction.
As a student in the Philip Merrill College of
Journalism, I understand that I must adhere strictly to the academic integrity
policies of the University of Maryland. Specifically, I understand that ALL
assignments and tests must be done without any help or collaboration with other
sources, including classmates, unless otherwise stated by the professor for a
specific assignment. I further understand that any unauthorized help or
collaboration will be considered a violation of the Code of Academic Integrity
of the university. I also understand that other forms of academic dishonesty,
including other forms of cheating, fabrication, facilitating academic
dishonesty and plagiarism, will not be tolerated and could result in serious
sanctions, including an XF for the course, or suspension or expulsion from the
university.
By signing this document, I am stating that I
understand the policies and vow to adhere to them.
***PLEASE SEE ADDENDUM ON NEXT PAGE BEFORE
SIGNING.
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