Statement of Principles for Health Care Journalists

Written by Gary Schwitzer of the USA-based Association of Health Care Journalists and the University of Minnesota and published in The American Journal of Bioethics, or AJOB [4(4):W9-W13], this document includes a statement of principles for journalists who cover health and medical news. It is based on the belief that these personnel have a special responsibility that "is inherent in journalists' role as watchdogs, holding the powerful accountable and giving voice to the voiceless." The statement explores issues of professionalism, content, and accuracy; independence; integrity; and responsibility.

Abstract:
"Many journalism organizations have published codes of ethics in recent years. The American Society of Newspaper Editors, for example, lists 47 different codes on its website. But an organization of health care journalists felt that none of those codes addressed the unique challenges of covering complex health care topics. The Association of Health Care Journalists (AHCJ) is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to advancing public understanding of health care issues. Its mission is to improve the quality, accuracy and visibility of health care reporting, writing and editing. AHCJ has written a statement of principles for its 750 members. In it, AHCJ states some of the unique challenges faced by journalists covering health care, and offers suggestions on how to face those challenges. Bioethicists are invited to comment on the statement, and to help generate continued discussion of the issues addressed therein."

Click here for the full document on the AJOB website.

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