The Journalist’s Creed

A code of ethics for journalists 

by Walter Williams,  founder and first dean of the Missouri School of Journalism—1906  

*I believe in the profession of journalism.

*I believe that the public journal is a public trust; that all connected with it are, to the full measure of their responsibility, trustees for the public; that acceptance of a lesser service than the public service is betrayal of this trust.

The Journalist’s Creed

*I believe that clear thinking and clear statement, accuracy and fairness are fundamental to good journalism.

*I believe that a journalist should write only what he holds in his heart to be true.

*I believe that suppression of the news, for any consideration other than the welfare of society, is indefensible.

*I believe that no one should write as a journalist what he would not say as a gentleman; that bribery by one’s own pocketbook is as much to be avoided as bribery by the pocketbook of another; that individual responsibility may not be escaped by pleading another’s instructions or another’s dividends.

*I believe that advertising, news and editorial columns should alike serve the best interests of readers; that a single standard of helpful truth and cleanness should prevail for all; that the supreme test of good journalism is the measure of its public service.

*I believe that the journalism which succeeds best — and best deserves success — fears God and honors Man; is stoutly independent, unmoved by pride of opinion or greed of power, constructive, tolerant but never careless, self-controlled, patient, always respectful of its readers but always unafraid, is quickly indignant at injustice; is unswayed by the appeal of privilege or the clamor of the mob; seeks to give every man a chance and, as far as law and honest wage and recognition of human brotherhood can make it so, an equal chance; is profoundly patriotic while sincerely promoting international good will and cementing world-comradeship; is a journalism of humanity, of and for today’s world.

(The Journalist’s Creed–written in 1906 by Walter Williams,  founder and first dean of the Missouri School of Journalism, a code of ethics for journalists. The advocating truth in reporting, freedom of the press, and the belief that the press should serve the best interests of the public, a declaration of the statements of the principles, values and standards of journalists throughout the world.)