Ethical Context In Documentation

Deposit Photos. Used with permission.

God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth." -John 4:24

The ethical context of documentation is a big deal. You see, just because we have access to documents, does not mean we have the ethical right to use them however we please.

It is important to address this topic separately from a broad view of credibility.

Go back and look at the Journalism Code of Ethics. There are some powerful, affirming truths there.

While many journalists and historians have not always been ethical, those of us with integrity must walk in truth before the Lord. Just because we obtain a piece of information does not mean we should use it or make it available - especially if it could cause unnecessary harm to others. The keyword is unnecessary.

Many groups, as it relates to ethics, have operated on a need-to-know basis with certain documentation. This simply means that you only report the facts or provide the documentation that people need to know, and nothing more. Always ask the question: What is essential to my finished project when you cross that road - including documentation.

No journalist places absolutely everything they learn in a news article, broadcast, documentary, or even an exhibition based on photos. We do our best to present the best possible presentation for the CLEAREST MESSAGE! That's the difference.

Prophetic documenting demands simplicity whenever possible!

My project with my sister is not about collecting, keeping, or sharing everything. In addition, there are things I learn along the way, even about other people that she might share, which is probably not ethical to share with my future audience.

The ethics of “true” journalists in the United States and abroad, fall on this statement: “Ethical journalism is accurate and fair. Journalists should be honest and courageous in gathering, reporting, and interpreting information.” If you are serious about your project, this statement is true for you as well.

As such, there are three things that must be avoided at all costs:

Do not lie or exaggerate the truth when working with people. Be upfront and open with concerning what you need from them and why. Most people DO NOT need an investigative journalist mindset that requires an investigative journalist's strategy for undercover work. This is an entirely different topic and is not one we will cover in this course.

When we are intentionally documenting history - like the COVID-19 crisis or the Race Riots currently happening across our country, we need to let those we interview or who share PRIVATE information with us know how we intend to use that information. We should be as transparent as possible about how we plan to use the information we obtain from private individuals, giving them the opportunity to decide if they want to be a part of it. That's ethical whether or not we like their responses. We talk about that more in the next lesson.

Avoid libel. Libel is the act of knowingly publishing false statements in print, writing, or pictures that can lead to oral or written defamation, unjustly injuring a person’s reputation. It is character assassination.

Avoid slander. Slander is the act of knowingly making false oral statements verbally to television, radio, or other spoken means that unjustly injures a person’s reputation. It is character assassination.

Defamation. Quite simply, it is engaging in both libel and slander.

Plagiarism. This is the act of taking someone else’s work or ideas and passing them off as one’s own. Literally, it is claiming that someone else’s work or idea is yours. It is theft or stealing.

Attribution is also a weapon that can offer some legal protection when documenting. How? Well, if a person you are interviewing as a primary source lies, then that lie will have come from them not you! This isn't always a perfect defense, but it definitely puts those gathering information in a better position to defend themselves. As the writer, you are trusting the information your primary source provided.

Remember, documentation can benefit greatly from three of the four ethical guidelines of journalism: (1) Seek the truth; (2) Minimize harm; and (3) Be Accountable & Transparent. Minimizing harm is that place of discretion in which we include what is essential to accurately convey truth.