Ask These 10 Questions to Make Good Ethical Decisions

By Bob Steele, The Poynter Institute



1. What do I know? What do I need to know?

2. What are my ethical concerns?

3. What is my journalistic purpose?

4. What organizational policies and professional guidelines should I consider?

5. How can I include other people, with different perspectives and diverse ideas,
    in the decision-making process?

6. Who are the stakeholders-those affected by my decision? What are their motivations?
    Which are legitimate?

7. What if the roles were reversed? How would I feel if I were in the shoes of one of
    the stakeholders?

8. What are the possible consequences of my actions? Short term? Long term?

9. What are my alternatives to maximize my truthtelling responsibility and minimize harm?

10. Can I clearly and fully justify my thinking and my decision? To my colleagues?
      To the stakeholders? To the public?