Reuters "Handbook of Journalism"

Reuters has just made its Handbook of Journalism freely available on the web.

This handbook is not intended as a collection of "rules". Beyond the obvious, such as the cardinal sin of plagiarism, the dishonesty of fabrication or the immorality of bribe-taking, journalism is a profession that has to be governed by ethical guiding principles rather than by rigid rules. The former liberate, and lead to better journalism. The latter constrain, and restrict our ability to operate. What follows is an attempt to map out those principles, as guidance to taking decisions and adopting behaviours that are in the best interests of Reuters, our shareholders, our customers, our contacts, our readers and our profession.

It will be a good resource for those of us who are concerned about communicating science, too. It will help us understand the principles that good journalists follow, and it will remind us of some of the constraints under which they operate.