WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT        15
WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT
Table of contents
Introduction    3
Objectives    4
Review of related literature    5
Codes of ethics    7
Examples of reporting    8
Different Medias    9
Ethical challenges    9
News organizations are regulated    10
Key ethical issues raised    11
Gaps    12
Broader social, political, and economic environment    13
Future issues    14
Conclusion    15
References    17
Introduction
    Topic: The Theory and Practice of Codes and Standards. With an emphasis on the numerous codes of ethics and professional standards that have been created for journalists and media companies, this essay analyzes the theory and application of codes and standards in journalism. The effectiveness of various controls and supervision measures, including both external controls (forced by governments or regulatory organizations) and self-control (such as codes of ethics created by industry groups), is examined in order to ensure ethical journalism. In addition, the unique ethical issues and concerns associated with various media outlets, including newspapers, television, and the internet, are examined. The study also looks at the discrepancy between journalism's theoretical and practical ethics and standards, as well as the causes behind it. Examined is how social, political, and economic variables affect journalists' and their media outlets' professional standards. Finally, the unresolved ethical concerns that still require attention from individual journalists and their media companies are listed.
    By giving citizens unbiased, factual information, journalism plays an important role in democratic society (Shetty & Jain, 2019). However, there are moral conundrums and difficulties inherent in the conduct of journalism. By creating and putting into practice codes of ethics and professional standards, journalists and media organizations have attempted to respect ethical norms. This research intends to investigate the many professional and ethical standards created for journalists and media companies. The efficacy of various controls and supervision measures, including both external controls (mandated by governments or regulatory organizations) and internal controls (such as codes of ethics created by industry groups), will be examined. The research will also examine the unique ethical issues and constraints that come with various media formats, including print media, television, and online platforms. Additionally, this research will look into the discrepancy between the theory and application of journalism's ethics and standards, as well as the causes behind it. Additionally, it will look at how social, political, and economic variables influence the professional standards that journalists and their media outlets must adhere to. The initiative will determine the unresolved ethical concerns in journalism that still require attention from both individual journalists and the media companies where they work. Overall, this project will offer a thorough analysis of the many rules and standards that are in place, how they are put into practice and governed, and the opportunities and problems they present for media professionals.
Objectives
    The objectives of this project are:
· To examine the various codes of ethics and professional standards that have been developed for journalists and media organizations.
· To analyze the effectiveness of different types of regulations and oversight, including both external regulations (such as those imposed by governments or regulatory bodies) and self-regulation (such as codes of ethics developed by industry groups) in ensuring ethical journalism.
· To explore the specific ethical challenges and considerations that come with different types of media, such as newspapers, television, and digital platforms.
· To investigate the gap that exists between theory and practice of codes and standards in journalism, and the reasons behind this gap.
· To examine the role of social, political, and economic factors in shaping professional standards for journalists and their media organizations.
· To identify the outstanding issues for ethical journalism that still need to be addressed by individual journalists and their media organizations.
· To provide recommendations for how journalists and media organizations can improve their adherence to codes of ethics and professional standards.
· To contribute to the existing body of knowledge on the topic of the theory and practice of codes and standards in journalism.
Review of related literature
    The ideas and criteria that journalists and media organizations are required to abide by in order to ensure ethical and responsible journalism are referred to as "codes and standards" in both theory and practice (Jobin, Ienca & Vayena, 2019). These codes and standards are created by professional associations and business associations, and they may contain values like truthfulness, impartiality, and independence in reporting, as well as prescriptions for safeguarding sources and upholding people's rights and dignity. Although ethics and standards are crucial for maintaining ethical journalism, there is frequently a mismatch between theory and reality. Numerous things, including a lack of regulatory mechanisms, inadequate training, and competing demands to boost ratings or reading, might contribute to this difference. In addition, it is important to take into account the unique ethical issues and concerns that come with various media formats, such as print media and online platforms. In order to make journalism a relevant and dependable source of information for the public, it is crucial for journalists and media organizations to constantly consider and respect ethical values in their work. Reassessing current codes of ethics, making investments in continuous training and education, and actively participating in the larger social, political, and economic environment may all be necessary to achieve this. In order to ensure ethical journalism in the future, it is also crucial to take into account the unique ethical possibilities and difficulties that come with various media and technology and to adapt accordingly.
    By giving citizens accurate, trustworthy, and unbiased information, journalism plays a crucial role in democratic society (Bourdieu, 2020). However, there are moral conundrums and difficulties inherent in the conduct of journalism. By creating and putting into practice codes of ethics and professional standards, journalists and media organizations have attempted to respect ethical norms. The oldest documented code of ethics for journalist’s dates back to the late 1800s, and they have a lengthy history. Various professional groups have created codes of ethics for journalists today, both internationally and domestically. Journalists are required to adhere to codes of ethics set out by organizations like the Canadian Association of Journalists, the Society of Professional Journalists in the United States, and the European Federation of Journalists. These rules often place a strong emphasis on ideals like independence, impartiality, and accuracy in reporting. Additionally, they demand that sources be protected, that people's rights and dignity be respected, and they urge journalists to look for and include underrepresented viewpoints and voices in their stories. However, there has been continuous discussion over the practical efficacy of these regulations. According to research, there is frequently a discrepancy between the theory and application of journalism's codes of ethics. Numerous things, such as a lack of enforcement tools, inadequate training, and conflicting demands to boost ratings or reading, might contribute to this discrepancy. Professional standards for journalists and their media companies may also be influenced by the larger social, political, and economic context (Waheed & Zhang, 2022). For instance, protecting journalists' independence and integrity may be more difficult in nations with a history of governmental censorship and media control. The analysis of the unique ethical issues and concerns associated with various media forms is a crucial component of ethical journalism. Newspapers, for instance, have a long history and a heritage of ethical journalism, but they...