Ethics and values in action

Reuters journalists have long been known for their strict adherence - some would say devotion - to the news agency's way of doing things.

Now they've decided to share The Reuters Way with the rest of us by publishing their Handbook of Journalism. The document, or something very like it, has existed for many years but for internal consumption only.

Unsurprisingly, the Reuters handbook covers many of the same areas as this website - standards and values, style, guidance on tricky editorial choices. And, rather like this website, it's not a set of rules but a collection of good advice, wisdom and aspiration. In common with the BBC, Reuters stresses the importance of accuracy:

• Always hold accuracy sacrosanct
• Always correct an error openly
• Always strive for balance and freedom from bias
• Always reveal a conflict of interest to a manager
• Always respect privileged information
• Always protect their sources from the authorities
• Always guard against putting their opinion in a news story
• Never fabricate or plagiarise
• Never alter a still or moving image beyond the requirements of normal image enhancement
• Never pay for a story and never accept a bribe

along with independence and impartiality ... or 'freedom from bias' as the handbook puts it.

Worth a read.