Code of Conduct for American Press Association Journalists and Photographers

The NUJ's (National Union of Journalists) Code of Conduct has set out the main principles of British and Irish journalism since 1936, it was updated at ADM (Annual Delegate Meeting) 2007. We adopt and abide by these code of conducts in the performance of our journalistic and photographic activities.

Members of the American Press Association are expected to abide by the following professional principles:

A journalist or press photographer

  1. At all times upholds and defends the principle of media freedom, the right of freedom of expression and the right of the public to be informed
  2. Strives to ensure that information disseminated is honestly conveyed, accurate and fair
  3. Does her/his utmost to correct harmful inaccuracies
  4. Differentiates between fact and opinion
  5. Obtains material by honest, straightforward and open means, with the exception of investigations that are both overwhelmingly in the public interest and which involve evidence that cannot be obtained by straightforward means
  6. Does nothing to intrude into anybody’s private life, grief or distress unless justified by overriding consideration of the public interest
  7. Protects the identity of sources who supply information in confidence and material gathered in the course of her/his work
  8. Resists threats or any other inducements to influence, distort or suppress information
  9. Takes no unfair personal advantage of information gained in the course of her/his duties before the information is public knowledge
  10. Produces no material likely to lead to hatred or discrimination on the grounds of a person’s age, gender, race, colour, creed, legal status, disability, marital status, or sexual orientation
  11. Does not by way of statement, voice or appearance endorse by advertisement any commercial product or service save for the promotion of her/his own work or of the medium by which she/he is employed
  12. Avoids plagiarism.
  13. In no way infringes on the rights of others in the pursuit of journalistic materials and abides by all laws, rules and regulations of state, federal or local agencies.
  14. Abides by any refusal of entrance to any function, ie; entertainment, sporting event, social gathering, or media event where the press is not welcome. Any non compliance with refusal of entry that comes to the attention of AFA will result in loss of membership in our organization. A professional and mature demeanor is expected of all members. The activities of each member reflects on the entire association.