Why News Matters and Media Ethics

Before the students start to create their own journalism, it’s important they understand the rules and codes of conduct professional journalist operate under in Ireland.

Download the pages from the workbook on the right hand side of this page which set in context why journalism matters to society and why it is important in today’s world. Read and discuss.

Activity – A Journalists’ Code of Conduct for your Class

Divide the class into small groups and ask them to come up three rules or guidelines which every journalist should aspire to when reporting a news story.

When they are finished, display everyone’s ideas on the board and discuss. Now, display the National Union of Journalist’s Code of Conduct and the Press Council of Ireland’s Code of Practise.

Did the students identify any of these in the earlier discussion?

Are there any other rules and guidelines they would add?

• Once, everyone is agreed on their class’s Journalism Code of Conduct, you may print it and stick on the wall or have it as a reference on the whiteboard for each journalism class.