Grand Rapids Community College offers a variety of classes in which to learn about and practice journalism. To find out more about the Collegiate and the journalism program at GRCC, click here.

JOURNALISM CODE OF ETHICS

Seek Truth and Report it as Fully as Possible

• Inform yourself continuously so you in turn can inform, engage, and educate the public in a clear and compelling way on significant issues.
• Be honest, fair, and courageous in gathering, reporting, and interpreting accurate information.
• Give voice to the voiceless.
• Hold the powerful accountable.

Act Independently

• Guard vigorously the essential stewardship role a free press plays in an open society.
• Seek out and disseminate competing perspectives without being unduly influenced by those who would use their power or position counter to the public interest.
• Remain free of associations and activities that may compromise your integrity or damage your credibility.
• Recognize that good ethical decisions require individual responsibility enriched by collaborative efforts.

Minimize Harm

• Be compassionate for those affected by your actions.
• Treat sources, subjects, and colleagues as human beings deserving of respect, not merely as means to your journalistic ends.
• Recognize that gathering and reporting information may cause harm or discomfort, but balance those negatives by choosing alternatives that maximize your goal of truthtelling.

Speak Out! Have something to say? Sound off to The Collegiate at grcc_collegiate@yahoo.com for your tips or views on the current news, sports, arts & entertainment and opinion.

Letters to the editors: The Collegiate is very interested in your opinions, so send your letters in. The basic premise of journalism centers on the long-standing tradition of providing an open forum and a free press. Please write to the Collegiate with your opinion. You can drop off your letters in room 339 Main building, or you can e-mail them to GRCC_Collegiate@yahoo.com. Please include your name and phone number for proper verification.

Letters are subject to editing for spelling, grammar, and length.

Current Edition:
April 23, 2008

Next Edition:
Fall, 2008