The 5 Core Principles

1. We take pride in our work, and respect the work of others.

(1) Food journalists should write under their real names, and make their contact information available to the general public.

(2) Food journalists should use their bylines only in conjunction with material that they have produced. Food journalists should not attach their names to reprinted press releases or articles provided by publicists.

(3) Food journalists do not plagiarize content. Material from other sources should be credited, and actively hyperlinked if presented online.

(4) Originators of unique information or opinions should be acknowledged in any work indebted to them, and the source material actively hyperlinked if presented online.

(5) Food journalists should always honor copyright laws, including those pertaining to recipes and photographs.

(6) To assure accuracy, press releases and material from other sources should be substantiated. Secondhand information, such as rumors published by a competing publication, should not be presented as fact.

(7) Factual errors should be corrected promptly and prominently.

(8) Expression of opinion, editorials and articles devoted to the writer’s own views should be clearly labeled as such and thus easily distinguished from news reports.

2. We do not abuse our positions.

(1) Food journalists should not flaunt their titles in hopes of securing favors for themselves, their friends or their relatives. Favors could include restaurant reservations, desirable tables, party invitations, or free food or drink.

(2) Food journalists should not accept gifts valued at more than $50, whether sent to them directly or distributed at an event. Exorbitant gifts should be returned to the sender or donated to charity.

(3) Food journalists should very carefully weigh invitations to participate in media dinners and other invitation-only events at which attendees will be feted with food and drink. It is worth remembering that only the most financially-fit organizations are situated to host such affairs, and journalists risk creating the perception of bias by participating in them.

(5) Food journalists should refuse samples of food, drink, or any other product which they don’t intend to evaluate for publication.

(6) Food journalists should not sell or otherwise profit from samples they receive in the course of their work.

(7) Food journalists attending events for personal pleasure should not use their position to gain access, discounted, or free admission.

3. We avoid conflicts of interest.

(1) The Association is committed to the absolute separation of editorial responsibilities and advertising interests. If an article or publication receives sponsorship, it must be clearly noted.

(2) Food journalists should not make deals in exchange for access, special treatment, or discounts. They should not vet story angles with publicists, allow sources to preview coverage, or make promises concerning story placement.

(3) Food journalists should not enter or vote in commercially-sponsored contests which involve the promotion of a specific entity, person or product in the food-and-beverage sphere.

(4) Food journalists should not cover food-related organizations which have employed them, or with which they are politically or financially involved.

4. We recognize and respect diversity.

(1) While pure objectivity is impossible, food journalists should aim to acknowledge and examine competing points of view.

(2) Food journalists should present opposing viewpoints fairly and accurately.

(3) Food journalists should avoid perpetuating stereotypes and prejudices through their story angles, source selection, and outdated language, such as the phrase “ethnic food.”

(4) In the many cases when a story is not explicitly concerned with gender, race, religion or other identity, food journalists should strive to include a variety of voices in their coverage.

5. We are committed to total transparency in our work.

(1) If food journalists accept anything for free, including a meal or product sample, it should be acknowledged in coverage of the item or experience.

(2) If food journalists write about current or former employers, co-workers, friends, or relatives, they should not conceal the nature of their relationship.

(3) If food journalists suspect they received special treatment in the course of reporting a story, they should share their suspicions with their readers.

Putting the Principles to Work

While ethical principles are fixed, the world is ever changing, so it’s impossible to anticipate and assess every potential moral quandary. Instead, it is incumbent upon food journalists to recognize situations that require careful consideration from an ethical standpoint, and to determine a course of action based on their truthful responses to the following three questions:

• Am I being fair and rigorous in my reporting process?
• Am I being honest to my sources, editors and readers about the circumstances surrounding the production and publication of this piece?
• Am I putting the public’s needs first, or am I making this decision with an eye toward personal or professional gain?