Outline

Outline of Ethics of Specialized Newspapers

The driving force behind a democratic society is freedom of speech. The will of the populace can only be frankly expressed with the existence of freedom of speech, and based on this, a healthy democratic government is able to develop, and culture, industry, and economy are able to advance development. Herein we have the reason why it is absolutely necessary to protect freedom of speech for the press. In order to protect this freedom, it is necessary that newspapers maintain a high ethical standard.
　Article 4 of the Articles of the Japan Specialized Newspapers Association states, "The goals include measuring the advancement of ethical standards based on the social and public relevance of newspaper publications, while contributing to the promotion of culture, which together can be used to gauge the healthy development of Specialized Newspapers." This also strongly upholds the advancement of ethical standards.
　The Association hereby establishes the Outline of Ethics of Specialized Newspapers in order to achieve these goals.

Freedom of the press

Just as freedom is a basic human right, freedom of speech is a basic right for newspapers. Regarding this freedom of speech, newspapers require the highest respect within legislation and other governmental affairs, to the extent that it does not go against public welfare.

Limits of Freedom

Regarding the freedom of reporting and criticism, the newspaper will voluntarily restrain itself to the extent that it must to ensure self-protection only in situations where its actions could potentially cause a clear and urgent danger to the public. 1) The reporting must promptly and directly communicate the truth with strict and detailed attention to accuracy. 2) In accordance with the principles of journalism, there cannot be biased criticisms that intentionally stray from the truth. It is critical that an impartial view is upheld at all times. 3) There must never be any inclusion of a journalist's personal opinion in any reporting. 4) As commentary pieces regarding persons require direct communication with the subject, an individual's honor and trust must never be harmed.

Responsibility

As long as the freedom of a newspaper is guaranteed and protected by society, newspapers must shoulder its consequent responsibility as a public institution
　　　1. Responsibility towards individuals: in the case of damage to a person's
　　　　 honor or credibility caused by misunderstanding, cancellation and
　　　　 correction must promptly ensue.
　　　2. Responsibility towards the public community:
　　　　　a. Objective and fair news must be furnished proactively.
　　　　　b. Articles which foster the disruption of public order and morality
　　　　　　 must not be published.

Tolerance

The democratic principle in which assertion of one's own rights is a simultaneous acknowledgement of the rights of others applies equally to newspaper editing. It is necessary to have the tolerance to accept the assertions of others which may oppose one's own assertions.

Pride

The specialized newspaper is the sole public institution that can contribute to the peaceful development of all the industrial, business, educational, and cultural aspects of society. Thus it must take pride in the achievement of its mission.

Dignity

A newspaper is familiar with everything because of its great leadership qualities. A newspaper without great dignity lacks in those leadership qualities, and is neglected by everything. This great dignity can only be acquired by executing this mission statement. A newspaper that strays from this mission statement loses the support of society, and endangers its own existence.
　Participating newspapers create a strong moral bond, and must endeavor to help each other protect the freedom of coverage and elevate the level of morality. All the more because there is this union of newspapers who protect this mission statement, freedom of speech is preserved, and we can promote the democratization of Japan in addition to contributing to the prosperity of each specialized field. Furthermore, we can also take great hope in the progress and development of the specialized newspaper.