The Ethical Journalist: Making Responsible Decisions in the Digital Age

Praise for the Third Edition of The Ethical Journalist

“A riveting examination of journalism ethics, updated for the seismic change that is now an industry constant. The Ethical Journalist is written to fortify journalism students, but real-life examples of everything from faked photographs to reporting on presidential lies make it valuable to all of us who care about the news.”
ANN MARIE LIPINSKI, CURATOR OF THE NIEMAN FOUNDATION AT HARVARD UNIVERSITY AND FORMER EDITOR OF THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE

Praise for the Earlier Editions

“The book is superb ― the definitive work on journalism ethics and practices. It should be a basic text in every school of journalism.”
GENE ROBERTS, FORMER EXECUTIVE EDITOR OF THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER AND FORMER MANAGING EDITOR OF THE NEW YORK TIMES

“At a time when the internet has turned journalism inside out and blown up long-held traditions, the need for media ethics is even more critical. This is the book to help guide students and the rest of us through the revolution.”
ALICIA C. SHEPARD, FORMER NPR OMBUDSMAN

The third edition of The Ethical Journalist is a comprehensive examination of current issues in the field of journalism ethics, researched and written by four journalists with experience in both the newsroom and the classroom. It gives students and professionals the tools they need to navigate the challenges of journalism today, first explaining the importance of ethics in journalism and then putting a decision-making strategy to work. The text is supplemented by case studies and essays, and two companion websites provide additional materials for educators and a forum for all users to discuss new topics in journalism ethics as they arise.

GENE FOREMAN managed newsroom operations of The Philadelphia Inquirer for 25 years, a period in which the staff won eighteen Pulitzer Prizes. He then taught for nine years at Pennsylvania State University as its inaugural Foster Professor.

DANIEL R. BIDDLE was one of three Inquirer reporters who won a Pulitzer Prize for investigative stories in 1986. Later he was an editor directing investigative reporting. He teaches at the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Delaware.

EMILIE LOUNSBERRY was a reporter for The Inquirer for 27 years, producing award-winning coverage of trials and legal issues. Since 2009 she has been an associate professor teaching journalism courses at The College of New Jersey.

RICHARD G. JONES began his reporting career at The Inquirer before moving to The New York Times, where he became an associate editor. After directing the teaching of journalism, ethics, and democracy at the University of Notre Dame, he was named The Inquirer’s managing editor for Opinion.