Adopted by the members of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists on April 27, 1985

PREAMBLE

The First Amendment, protecting freedom of expression from abridgment by any law, guarantees to the people through their press a constitutional right, and thereby places on journalists a particular responsibility.

The right of people to receive truthful information about events of public interest and to exercise freedom of expression are two of the pillars of a democratic way of life. Journalists, within our daily tasks in the various media, are depositories and guardians of this right and this freedom which belongs to all.

Thus journalism demands of its practitioners not only industry and knowledge, but also the pursuit of a standard of integrity proportionate to the journalist’s singular obligation.

A free press has responsibilities to all segments of society. We must recognize that society can best be served by media outlets that represent all those segments. Therefore, we must encourage opportunities for all media to have equal access to news sources regardless of style, orientation, language and/or audience.

Hispanic journalism tradition, of which we are heirs, is in fact one of the main contributions which Hispanics give toward the betterment of society in the United States of America. With the goal of guaranteeing the right of expression and the right of the people to be informed, we the members of the Hispanic Journalists, proud of our heritage, adopt the following Code of Ethics.

The abilities and values of news professionals are enhanced by diversity of expertise interests and backgrounds. As Hispanics, we are blessed with the opportunity to live and appreciate more than one language and culture. We should be especially aware of the advantages cultural pluralism presents and encourage it.

The journalist will make every effort to present a proper and just image of those groups which make up society. Thus, he/she will not promote prejudicial or ethnic slurs nor attacks upon a person’s honesty.

The news organization should serve as a constructive critic of all segments of society. It should vigorously expose wrongdoing or misuse of power, public or private. Editorially, it should advocate needed reform or innovation in the public interest.

The journalist will endeavor to present an honest version of the news coverage assigned to him/her and should avoid practices that would conflict with the ability to report and present news in a fair and unbiased manner. He/she will show all sides of every valid controversy. This also includes the reporting of background news and the clarification, with facts, of any allegations which the journalist deems false or misleading.

The journalist will not accept remunerations from outside sources to cover or alter news or editorials.

Pledges of confidentiality to news sources must be honored at all costs. Whenever possible, the journalist will endeavor to obtain information from identifiable sources and will not abuse anonymous sources.

The journalist will not serve as an auxiliary or agent to a police force, nor surrender voluntarily material which he/she receives or produces as part of his/her professional duties, nor as a journalist will he/she be available to judge those accused in a court of law.

The journalist has the constitutional right to participate in public life and the tradition to express his/her opinions as a journalist through the appropriate medium. However, in order to maintain public trust in his/her honesty and to prevent situations which might create reasonable doubts about his/her integrity, the journalist must not accept renumerations from sources he/she covers, nor use his/her professional status as a representative of the public for selfish or other unworthy motives.

Journalists must respect the rights of people involved in the news, observe the common standards of decency and stand accountable to the public for the fairness and accuracy of their news reports. Persons publicly accused must be given the earliest opportunity to respond. Substantive errors must be admitted and corrected promptly and prominently.

We as the National Association of Hispanic Journalists uphold this Code of Ethics and will actively promote it. Any violations brought to the attention of NAHJ will be promptly considered and, if necessary, acted upon.