The Island Guardian,
Inc.
Incorporated Under the Laws of the
State of Washington
January 12, 2005
305 Blair
Avenue, Friday Harbor, Washington 98250
A Message from the Publisher:
The
Island Guardian was created by a number of local citizens from different
islands in San Juan County with the goal of producing a locally owned and
controlled news media, that had the county wide connections, and desire, to
report an in-depth review of topics, ranging from government actions -and lack
of action- to those general topics that may be of interest to the members of
our community, and do so in a manner that will be both hard hitting and thought
provoking, in editorials and factual in news reporting. We also want to have fun, and yet serve a
purpose. With that in mind, we have created the Weekly Nag, where the public
can vent and suggest how our life style can be improved. For the serious minded, It is the aim of the
Guardian to present the views of the Left, the Right, and the Center, in the
form of columns, guest editorials and letters to the editor. Hard news will be just that: a statement of
facts as we observe them. Under no circumstances will we reject any letters to
the editor simply because we may disagree with the content, or feel it may
influence public opinion in some way that we personally, or professionally,
agree or disagree with.
As
a corporation we are selling stock in the corporation, and once the stock is
sold it is our intent to produce a weekly printed paper that is widely
distributed to all the islands. Our
revenue will be depended on the citizens of our county. A minimum qualification to purchase stock is
one must own property or reside in San Juan County. We will not accept any out of county
advertising if it is in direct competition with an existing service or business
in the county .
We
have started a new journey and we ask you to join us, not only as readers, but
also as providers.
Thank you for taking the time to read this,
Jack W. Cory
360 378-8243
The Island Guardian
subscribes to
the Society of
Professional Journalists Code of Ethics
Preamble
Members of
the Society of Professional Journalists believe that public enlightenment is
the forerunner of justice and the foundation of democracy. The duty of the
journalist is to further those ends by seeking truth and providing a fair and
comprehensive account of events and issues. Conscientious journalists from all
media and specialties strive to serve the public with thoroughness and honesty.
Professional integrity is the cornerstone of a journalist's credibility.
Members of the Society share a dedication to ethical behavior and adopt this
code to declare the Society's principles and standards of practice.
Seek Truth and Report It
Journalists should be honest, fair and courageous in
gathering, reporting and interpreting information.
Journalists should:
- Test the accuracy of information from all sources and exercise care
to avoid inadvertent error. Deliberate distortion is never permissible.
- Diligently seek out subjects of news stories to give them the
opportunity to respond to allegations of wrongdoing.
- Identify sources whenever feasible. The public is entitled to as
much information as possible on sources' reliability.
- Always question sources’ motives before promising anonymity.
Clarify conditions attached to any promise made in exchange for
information. Keep promises.
- Make certain that headlines, news teases and promotional material,
photos, video, audio, graphics, sound bites and quotations do not
misrepresent. They should not oversimplify or highlight incidents out of
context.
- Never distort the content of news photos or video. Image
enhancement for technical clarity is always permissible. Label montages
and photo illustrations.
- Avoid misleading re-enactments or staged news events. If
re-enactment is necessary to tell a story, label it.
- Avoid undercover or other surreptitious methods of gathering
information except when traditional open methods will not yield
information vital to the public. Use of such methods should be explained
as part of the story
- Never plagiarize.
- Tell the story of the diversity and magnitude of the human
experience boldly, even when it is unpopular to do so.
- Examine their own cultural values and avoid imposing those values
on others.
- Avoid stereotyping by race, gender, age, religion, ethnicity,
geography, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance or social
status.
- Support the open exchange of views, even views they find
repugnant.
- Give voice to the voiceless; official and unofficial sources of
information can be equally valid.
- Distinguish between advocacy and news reporting. Analysis and
commentary should be labeled and not misrepresent fact or context.
- Distinguish news from advertising and shun hybrids that blur the
lines between the two.
- Recognize a special obligation to ensure that the public's
business is conducted in the open and that government records are open to
inspection.
Minimize Harm
Ethical journalists treat sources, subjects and
colleagues as human beings deserving of respect.
Journalists should:
- Show compassion for those who may be affected adversely by news coverage.
Use special sensitivity when dealing with children and inexperienced
sources or subjects.
- Be sensitive when seeking or using interviews or photographs of
those affected by tragedy or grief.
- Recognize that gathering and reporting information may cause harm
or discomfort. Pursuit of the news is not a license for arrogance.
- Recognize that private people have a greater right to control
information about themselves than do public officials and others who seek
power, influence or attention. Only an overriding public need can justify
intrusion into anyone’s privacy.
- Show good taste. Avoid pandering to lurid curiosity.
- Be cautious about identifying juvenile suspects or victims of sex
crimes.
- Be judicious about naming criminal suspects before the formal
filing of charges.
- Balance a criminal suspect’s fair trial rights with the public’s
right to be informed.
Act Independently
Journalists should be free of obligation to any
interest other than the public's right to know.
Journalists should:
- Avoid conflicts of interest, real or perceived.
- Remain free of associations and activities that may compromise
integrity or damage credibility.
- Refuse gifts, favors, fees, free travel and special treatment, and
shun secondary employment, political involvement, public office and
service in community organizations if they compromise journalistic
integrity.
- Disclose unavoidable conflicts.
- Be vigilant and courageous about holding those with power
accountable.
- Deny favored treatment to advertisers and special interests and
resist their pressure to influence news coverage.
- Be wary of sources offering information for favors or money; avoid
bidding for news.
Be Accountable
Journalists are accountable to their readers,
listeners, viewers and each other.
Journalists should:
- Clarify and explain news coverage and invite dialogue with the
public over journalistic conduct.
- Encourage the public to voice grievances against the news media.
- Admit mistakes and correct them promptly.
- Expose unethical practices of journalists and the news media.
- Abide by the same high standards to which they hold others.