NPR's New Guiding Handbook

        According to an article written by Mallary Jean Tenore of Poynter, the staff of NPR, is currently being introduced to a new Ethics Handbook.  This handbook is illustrating the importance of avoiding ethical dilemmas and stressing the importance of reporting the truth.   According to NPR, the new handbook is a how to guide, rather than a set of codes.       

            The handbook addresses certain issues which NPR has faced, such as falsely reporting Gabrielle Giffords had died.   In order to avoid such mistakes from happening again, journalists as well as editors need to follow the how to steps in the Ethics Handbook to avoid mistakes.  The Ethics Handbook goes into detail about how journalists should write, who they should source and the importance of remaining unbiased and impartial. According to NPR, “review and update policies/training with respect to the role of NPR journalists appearing on other media outlets to ensure that they understand they applicability of the Ethics Code to their work and to facilitate equitable and consistent application of the Code.”  If journalists have any questions about ethical decisions they are told to consult with their superiors for help.

            On Pressthink.org, an article about NPR’s new handbook was also written.  More information about this handbook was given, such as avoiding ‘he said, she said.'.  The goal is to report the truth with clarity and correct information.  The new handbook shifts from a code of rules to a handbook of how-to guidelines.  According to Pressthink.org, NPR’s mission is to create a more reformed public.

            I think that it was wise of NPR to introduce a new handbook.  It will help individuals have a better understanding of ethics.  I think that this handbook can become very beneficial to NPR, because if their journalists understand their guidelines, they will make fewer mistakes in their articles.