Professionalism and Myths in Covering Conflict

Abstract

This research analyzes whether journalists when covering the conflicts in Georgia applied four principles found in the profession’s Code of Ethics, which outline that journalists should: a) seek the truth and report it as fully as possible; b) act independently; c) minimize harm; and d) be accountable. The purpose of the study was to understand how journalists would act when faced with certain ethical dilemmas when covering conflict. It also sought to examine what expectations the readership would have of journalists in such situations. The research methodology consisted of developing five hypothetical scenarios, each involving an ethical dilemma for a journalist, adapted from real case studies from the Caucasus region. These scenarios were posed to both journalists (news creators) and readers (news consumers), who were asked to identify from a number of possible responses to the ethical dilemma which decision a journalist should (in theory) and probably would (in reality) make, and asked to explain their choice.