What is the Ethics Advisory Committee?
The CAJ’s ethics advisory committee is an arm’s length body of the organization that considers and provides advice on ethical issues faced by journalists through the course of their regular work by writing discussion papers and guidelines published by the CAJ. Members are appointed by the CAJ’s national board of directors, and the chair or co-chairs are appointed by the board from among the committee’s members.
Ethics Guidelines
The CAJ’s widely cited Ethics Guidelines are intended to help both seasoned professionals and new journalists to hold themselves accountable for professional work. While many specific questions are considered here, it is impossible to capture all potential scenarios in a document such as this. Instead, it seeks to provide examples of the application of our general ethical principles, and to help journalists apply those principles and their best judgment when faced with scenarios not covered here.
See also: Principles for Ethical Journalism
Discussion Papers
- Disaster Reporting: What to consider before rushing to the scene – The ethical considerations related to entering and reporting on a disaster/disaster area
- False balance – When telling the other view might mislead readers
- Publishing (and unpublishing) the names of people charged with minor crimes: whether, when and why (not)? (aka “Naming names”) – Guidance on using the names of persons charged in minor offences
- What is journalism? (2021) – Elements that differentiate journalism from ‘content’
- Best practices in digital accuracy and corrections – Practical and legal considerations in dealing with online publication errors
- How close is too close? Conflict of interest in journalists’ relationships with sources
- Paying for information – Is it ‘chequebook journalism’ or is it fair compensation?
- Naming sexual assault complainants in the media: Ethical considerations for journalists – Navigating complainant privacy, consent, legalities, and repercussions
- Sponsored content: How should journalism ethics respond to advertising dressed up as journalism? – Differentiating between the purposes of journalism vs. marketing
- Online comment moderation – Guidance on responsibility for and control over readers’ online comments
- On the record: Is it really informed consent without discussion of consequences? – Discussion and consideration of legal, online, and other implications of going public, especially for vulnerable interviewees
- Guidelines for personal activity online – Keeping journalistic integrity while connecting on socials personally or professionally
- Journalists seeking public office: What are the ethical issues? – Can you campaign and also be a reporter?
- The ethics of unpublishing – Issues and guidance around requests to remove online stories
- Guidelines for re-tweeting and re-posting on social media – Applying journalistic practices to decisions around sharing breaking news, comments, and stories
- Final briefing on news blackouts – Does agreeing to a news blackout co-opt editorial control or does it save a life? Is the case different if a journalist is involved?
- Protection of sources – The obligation to protect sources, how far does that go, and can a promise of protection/anonymity ever be broken?
- Policy paper on editorial independence – Guidance on the ability to report without ceding journalistic control to advertisers or owners
Send an inquiry
Inquiries for the Ethics Advisory Committee sent through this form should expect to see a response within 3-5 business days.
Committee Members
The committee’s current members are:
- Karen Unland, committee chair – Taproot Publishing
- Trish Audette-Longo – Carleton University
- Brian Hastings – Humber College
- Anita Li – The Green Line
- Angela Misri – Toronto Metropolitan University
- Pat Perkel – National NewsMedia Council
- Nebal Snan – Freelance
- Terra Tailleur – University of King’s College
- Jesse Winter – Freelance Photojournalist
- Jameson Berkow (Board liaison) – The Globe and Mail
