October 6, 2025
Ethical Journalism in All Situations
Whereas, through ethical principles including accuracy, fairness, transparency and independence, journalism is a distinct form of communication, and journalists earn public trust; and
Whereas, when government officials dismiss factual reporting, restrict access to information or retaliate against journalists who uncover uncomfortable truths, they undermine the foundations of our democracy; and
Whereas, as part of their Professional Freedom and Responsibility, AEJMC members constantly keep a watchful eye on conduct that violates ethical principles, either on the part of those in government or those in college or professional news media; and
Whereas, in 2025, the Society of Professional Journalists Ethics Committee sponsored a SIN (Spread Immoral News) Issue Contest where college news outlets were encouraged to publish an edition with news that was made up entirely along with the SPJ Code of Ethics and a letter from the editor explaining what they were doing; and
Whereas, such an activity, while meant to engage and educate young journalists and readers, could serve to exacerbate an already increasing problem of public misunderstanding of ethics and their role in journalism; and
Whereas, ethics as well as media criticism and accountability represent two of the five core areas of Professional Freedom and Responsibility in AEJMC.
Now, therefore, be it resolved that AEJMC and its membership go on record opposing any efforts to intentionally produce and distribute false or misleading content, even if designed to teach ethics; and
Be it further resolved that as the nation’s largest organization of college journalism and mass communication educators, AEJMC urge its members in their teaching, research and service to use every opportunity to reinforce and advocate for the importance of always operating with the highest of ethical standards; and
Finally, be it resolved that AEJMC through its Media Ethics Division and the Elected Standing Committee on Professional Freedom and Responsibility forge a better relationship with the SPJ Ethics Committee to further develop strategies to engage students in promoting ethical journalism.
CONTACT:
Samantha Higgins, AEJMC Communications Director, 803-798-0271
Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC)
The Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC) is a nonprofit scholarly organization with more than 2,000 members in about 40 countries who teach and research journalism, public relations, advertising, digital media, film, and media literacy. Founded in 1912, AEJMC is the oldest and largest alliance of communication educators and administrators at the college level. AEJMC’s mission is to promote the highest possible standards for journalism and mass communication education, to encourage the broadest possible range of communication research, to promote the implementation of a multicultural society in the classroom and curriculum, and to defend and maintain freedom of communication in an effort to achieve better professional practice, a better-informed public, and wider human understanding.
AEJMC 2025 Resolutions