The TAO of Journalism

Take the

TAO of Journalism

Pledge

A Commitment to

Transparency,
Accountability &
Openness

If you're a legacy journalist, a citizen journalist, an independent blogger, or anyone else practicing journalism in the broadest sense of the word, here's an idea that can help you gain credibility and earn trust:

Take the "TAO Pledge" and display the "TAO Seal" on your website, blog, printed page, newsletter, or wherever.

It's a promise to your readers, viewers or listeners that you will be Transparent about who you are, Accountable if you make mistakes, and Open to other points of view.

The TAO of Journalism Pledge

BY DISPLAYING THIS SEAL, WE HEREBY AGREE TO BE:

TRANSPARENT

We will fully disclose who we are, our journalistic mission and our guiding principles. We will post information on our background and expertise, including education and experience. We will list advertisers, donors, grants, and any other payments that support our work. If affiliated with a political party or special-interest group, we will disclose that. If lobbying for any particular legislation or regulation, we will disclose that. If we are being paid to promote a product or cause, we will disclose that. If other factors could be seen as potential conflicts of interest, we will disclose them.

ACCOUNTABLE

If we get any facts wrong, we will admit that promptly and publicly. We will post/publish/print/podcast/broadcast a correction or at least a clarification. We will fully explain what happened to cause the error or mistake. We will do a follow-up story if that is appropriate, putting the original material in better context. We will apologize and promise to be more careful next time. We will show a little humility.

OPEN

If there are credible challenges to our point of view or simply differences of opinion, we will be open to contrary positions. We will give the other side(s) opportunity and space to express their views and engage in open public dialogue through comments or other means. If we are primarily engaged in opinion and commentary, rather than news reporting, we will make that clear – while inviting others to express their opinions through comment and feedback means.

We do not necessarily agree to abide by any particular code of journalism ethics or professional standards, although we may choose to do so. If we do, we will declare that publicly. If we don't, we will declare that as well. We understand that this will not be enforced by any outside organized group. It will be overseen by everyone on the Internet who wants to see high standards of transparency, accountability and openness in journalism – through whatever media platform.

We understand that if someone using the "TAO Seal" starts violating its basic principles, they will be admonished, criticized, reprimanded and embarrassed in public through the awesome power of the Internet. Call it "crowdsourcing" ethics and accuracy. In summary, we believe that Transparency, Accountability and Openness are keys to our personal credibility and public trust.

http://www.taoofjournalism.org/

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