When evaluating ethics on the web, it is important to examine your own ethics and how they mesh with the organization you work for, says Paul Pohlman, director of Poynter Leadership Programs.

"We need to be able to talk with people in the traditional newsroom," he says. "Do they share our values? Do you share their values?"

When asked what they stand for as journalists, seminar participants rattled off many qualities: accuracy, fairness, credibility, timeliness, depth and analysis.

What do you stand for?

Pohlman says after five years online, we are finally in an information glut. That means we have to be careful about how we use information and we have to be more aware of credibility issues.

If you have not already, you will need to fix problems within your organization that do not fit the core journalistic standards.

"Over time you will have to set these guidelines," he says. "They may change in time, but you need them in place."

Exercise

1. Write down four or five core journalistic values.

2. Now, think about your role online. How are you carrying out your values?

3. Which one or two values really pop out at you in your online role?

• See also:
• Guiding Principles for the Journalist
• Ethical Decision-Making Process
• Doing Ethics: Ask Good Questions to Make Good Ethical Decisions