Code of Ethics
The Maroon is Loyola University’s student newspaper, edited, written and produced by students.
Though first the voice of student opinion, it is also a forum for every member of the university community — students, faculty, administration, staff and alumni.
Like all newspapers, it is an instrument of public education and democracy, the source of information which a community must have to wisely govern itself. It is a mirror and a lamp: it reflects the community to itself and to a larger public; it shines light on the good and evil its members do. It is a source of entertainment, a friend of culture and the arts.
Published by Loyola University, The Maroon shares the ideals expressed in the university’s Goals Statement, especially its commitment to free expression and the free pursuit of truth.
The Maroon recognizes the cultural diversity of the university community and welcomes the participation and contribution of all members of the student body. The newspaper strives to be representative of its constituency in the sense that, like all elements of the university, insofar as possible, its staff and pages should reflect the diversity of its readership. Thus The Maroon strives to cover the activities and achievements of all individuals and organizations whenever those activities are worthy of news coverage.
Editorials reflect the opinion of the editorial board of The Maroon. Though The Maroon may depend upon Loyola University for financial assistance, and the School of Mass Communication for advice and instruction, The Maroon must have editorial independence. Its editorial policy is set by its editor and editorial board.
Any individual or group criticized anywhere in The Maroon has the right to reply. Indeed, The Maroon encourages response. Short of malice and reckless disregard for the truth, all debates on public issues in The Maroon may be “uninhibited, robust and wide open” (New York Times v. Sullivan).
The Maroon is also a learning laboratory available to the School of Mass Communication, in which Loyola students receive practical journalism training and develop professional attitudes and skills in the performance of editorial tasks.
The Maroon adopts and incorporates in this policy statement many of the principles of the American Society of Newspaper Editors’ Canons of Journalism and the Society of Professional Journalists’ Code of Ethics. In the spirit of these codes and its own traditions, The Maroon will strive for sincerity, truthfulness, honesty, accuracy, impartiality and fair play in the presentation of news, editorials and advertising.
Responsibility:
The right of a newspaper to attract and hold readers is restricted by nothing but the consideration of the public welfare. The use a newspaper makes of the share of public attention it gains is an indication of its sense of responsibility. Journalists who uses their power for any selfish or otherwise unworthy purpose is faithless to a high trust.
Freedom of the Press:
Freedom of the press is to be guarded as an inalienable right of people in a free society. Freedom carries with it the responsibility to discuss, question and challenge actions and words of the government and of public and private institutions. Journalists uphold every person’s right to express unpopular opinions.
Independence:
The press must remain free from all obligations which might inhibit its fidelity to the public interest.
• A newspaper must clearly identify and label advertisements, press releases, letters and other communications from private sources and must substantiate their claims in both form and substance.
• Partisanship in editorial comment, when it knowingly departs from the truth, does violence to the best spirit of America journalism; in the news columns it is subversive to the fundamental principles of the profession.
Accuracy and Objectivity:
Good faith with the public is the foundation of all worthy journalism.
• The truth is our ultimate goal.
• The journalist strives to be “objective.” The journalist, insofar as possible, does not allow personal prejudices or opinions to influence the coverage of a news story.
• News reports should be fair. They should put news in context and reflect the several sides of an issue.
• There is no excuse for inaccuracies or lack of thoroughness.
• Newspaper headlines should truly represent the contents of the articles they accompany. Photographs should give an accurate picture of an event and not highlight any event out of context.
• Layouts, headlines and other symbols should indicate a clear distinction between news, reports, analysis and expression of opinion.
• In fulfilling the press’s obligation to present informed analysis, commentary, cultural criticism and editorial opinion, journalists must make sure that analysts, columnists and critics are persons with the competence, judgments and experience which qualify them for the task.
Fair Play:
Journalists at all times will show respect for the dignity, privacy, rights and well-being of the persons about whom they write.
• The news media should not communicate unofficial charges affecting one’s reputation or concerning one’s moral character without giving the accused a chance to reply.
• The news media must guard against invading a person’s right to privacy.
• The news media should not pander to morbid curiosity about details of vice and crime.
• The media should correct their errors promptly and completely.
• Journalists are accountable to the public for their reports and the public should be encouraged to voice its grievances — both against the media and against those persons and institutions on whom the media report. Thus, the relationship between the media and their community should foster a never-ending conversation, from which the truth and a stronger community might emerge.