What does it mean to act ethically in today’s media?

The Institute for Ethics and Integrity in Journalism and Media strategically expands on Duquesne University’s commitment to ethics by serving as a resource for students, faculty, media practitioners and the public to cultivate best practices that support fair and accurate journalism across media platforms. 
 
Since 2021, the Institute has offered a variety of programs that showcase the choices, values and consequences inherent in our media and communicative practices. The Institute coordinates special programming, guest lectures, networking opportunities, high-quality internships and unique courses that highlight what it means to work ethically in today’s media. It also provides Duquesne students, regardless of their major, the opportunity to help produce Ethically Speaking, the Institute’s podcast series created in collaboration with Duquesne’s Center for Emerging and Innovative Media. The Institute also partners with the Carl G. Grefenstette Center for Ethics in Science, Technology and Law to host an annual Tech Symposium each fall.
 
The Institute occasionally recognizes outstanding journalism practitioners and bestows awards to Duquesne students conducting research in media ethics. 
 
As part of its mission to restore public trust in journalism, the Institute has partnered with several Pennsylvania universities to host the Keystone News Summit – an annual gathering of media professionals, journalism professors, nonprofit and profit-making news organizations, and government officials for a nuanced discussion on workable solutions to the challenges facing today’s newsrooms.
 
The Institute’s work is made possible thanks to a grant from Duquesne alumna Patricia Doherty Yoder.

Our Code of Ethics

We strive to promote trust in journalism and news media by creating an ongoing dialogue with the public and regional partners to foster best practices to support local and national journalism that is fair and accurate, to recognize outstanding journalism practitioners, and to offer enhanced educational and professional learning experiences for Duquesne students.

Write the truth—verifying all information before releasing it—and provide context and attribution for the facts. Do not plagiarize, omit critical facts or pay for access to news.
Strive for fairness and balance, avoid conflicts of interest and maintain independence from the people you cover.
Identify sources unless they face retribution or danger for cooperating.
Seek feedback about your work; admit and promptly correct mistakes.
Serve as a watchdog for the public, yet balance the public's need to know against potential harm.
Treat those you deal with in your work with respect and courtesy; avoid imposing your cultural values on others.

Meet Our Fellows

Pamela E. Walck

Pamela E. Walck

Director

Tara Bradley-Steck

Tara Bradley-Steck

Managing Fellow

Paula Reed Ward

Paula Reed Ward

Practitioner in Residence

Natalie Bencivenga

Natalie Bencivenga

Professional Fellow

Cindy Skrzycki

Cindy Skrzycki

Past Fellow

Lynne Hayes Freeland

Lynne Hayes Freeland

Past Fellow

Contact

Pamela Walck

Director

Institute for Ethics & Integrity in Journalism and Media