ABSTRACT
One of the marks of a profession is the presence of a code of ethics for members of the group. Physicians and attorneys are bound by codes of conduct that identify standards of behavior that they are expected to embrace. In the field of electronic media, the Radio and Television News Directors Association and the Society of Professional Journalists have published codes of conduct. Although the focus of these codes is on encouraging good journalistic practice, some of their principal tenets are useful for the nonjournalist to consider as well. Among the values held in common by the two codes are honesty and fairness, respect for subjects and colleagues, avoidance of conflicts of interest, and accountability to audiences and to fellow members of the profession.
