UST Angelicum NTH Scribes Join the Webinar on Journalistic Ethics
By Alaina Ruth Hipolito
The UST Angelicum College Tigercubs conducted a Webinar on April 1, 2022 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am, with the theme “Open your eyes and ears: Journalistic Ethics.” The speaker was an alumni of UST Angelicum College, Mr. Jose Antonio Lorenzo Tamayo. He is currently an Assistant Professorial Lecturer at De La Salle University and he teaches courses in English and Campus Journalism for undergraduate students. His expertise is advantageous to the students which could help introduce them to broad ideas and several opportunities in this field.
The Junior High School learners and members of the Nth Club were also invited to be the participants of the said webinar. They believe that the event could be a great introduction for the students to have an advanced take on Journalistic knowledge, ethics, and values in various concepts. It could also be a helpful step and serve as an effective enlightenment before the Junior High School learners of the Nth Club enter Senior High School.
The main topic of the webinar was ethics in Journalism. What is Ethics and how is it applied to Journalism? Ethics is simply described as moral principles that govern a person’s behavior. It concerns proper discipline and manners, along with knowing what is morally good and bad, right, or wrong. Mr. Tamayo explained that Ethics is a big and important part of journalism, especially when one is writing about news that concerns the people.
The presentation continued about who creates ethics and what it consists of. Religion, Human Conscience, Cost-benefit of actions and effects, an example of good human beings, desire for the best for the people in each unique situation, and political power are what most influences ethics.
Within the topic, it was shown that there is a triangle of Journalistic Virtues which involves accuracy, objectivity, and fairness. When starting an article, one must consider all the factors within the triangle in order to express what is being said and delivered through the news.
Starting off with accuracy, the speaker discussed pointers so that the audience may practice accuracy. First is getting to know one’s subject. One must observe them from the smallest bit to the big issues about them to know what and who one writes about, but proper distance must be kept to respect their space. Second, always use a recorder and take down notes. For those who seem to have problems with remembering certain information, it is best to take down notes and record the conversation to look back and gather more information. Third, use independent sources. One must be able to identify fake news and misleading information so as to keep the article truthful and honest for the readers. Lastly, one must not write articles that he or she does not understand. A person cannot talk about a topic that he/she has no knowledge of. It would be difficult to prove a point or mention one’s opinion on the matter when there is a lack of understanding on the part of the writer. Gathering the right information beforehand can definitely help when one is keen on writing about a topic.
On the other hand, practicing objectivity means using the third person point of view. In the third person, one must address the character by their names or pronouns. This perspective is defined by whether the narrator has access to the person’s thoughts and feelings.
Moving on to practicing fairness, Mr. Tamayo expressed that one must always remember that real journalism informs, not manipulates. Along with that, exaggeration, sensationalism, and stating the desired outcome must be avoided. Journalists must also reply when necessary, always practice informed consent, and practice editorial independence.
After discussing the guidelines on proper ethics in journalism, he also discussed defamation and the law when writing a story. Defamation, also known as calumny, is writing or making up a story about a person and putting them in a bad light or ruining their public image with false claims. Defamation in speech is slander, while in print it is libel.
Article 353 of the Revised Penal Code says it is “A public and malicious imputation of a crime, or of a vice or defect, real or imaginary, or any act, omission, condition, status, or circumstance tending to dishonor, discredit, or contempt of a natural or juridical person, or to blacken the memory of one who is dead.” According to the Department of Justice: one can be sued for libel within 12 years of publication.
At the end of the webinar, after reminding the participants of the pointers discussed, the speaker then proceeded with his closing remarks and the Tigercubs presented him with a certificate of appreciation.
