The Code Of Ethics Within The World Of Journalism

Unbeknownst to the beginner writer there is a line in non-fiction writing. The line is seldom spoken of, but it’s there like a string of wire holding up the pickets of a fence. We call this line ethics. There is no written handbook. There are just expectations passed from author to author; between the lines of articles, how to books and writing communities. As one matures in his or her endeavours to be a better writer the line grows clearer, but that does not mean that they are left uncrossed by some. There is code of ethics in the world of journalism â€Å"Journalists search, disclose, record, question, entertain, comment and remember. They inform citizens and animate democracy. They scrutinize power, but also exercise it, and should be responsible and accountable† (MEAA code of ethics.) I believe this must also be applied to writers of non-fiction and creative non-fiction. We are here to entertain and to keep our readers informed, but that should never be at the expenses of another human being’s rights as has been the case in John Kinsella’s memoir Fellow Travelers. John Kinsella writes of a time in his life where he formed a turbulent friendship with fellow author Anthony Lawrence. Throughout the memoir Kinsella describes his battle with alcohol and also discloses events in which he took drugs, and drank with fellow writers Anthony Lawrence and Adam Robertson. When the memoir was unveiled Armstrong and Robertson were aghast and angered by the content. 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