I am an ethical thinker who strives to tell the truth through my writing.

As a journalist, you must follow a certain code of ethics that you base your decisions on. My ethics are based on life experiences that have shaped my worldview and how I live my life. 

My Ethics Code:

• Empathy

  • Definition: a feeling of awareness of the everyday human experience and an understanding that we are fellow travelers in a world of good and evil

    The goal of journalistic writing is to be objective and to avoid opinion. However, a level of empathy is required to understand the story of those being written about.

• Tolerance

  • Definition: a philosophical term meaning a fair, objective attitude toward those whose opinions, practices, race, ability, religion, nationality, etc., differ from one’s own

    In a world of differing opinions, it is important for a journalist to write in a way that is fair and does not discriminate. By practicing the inclusion of diverse ideas in any form of media, a journalist also implements objectivity into their work. 

• Mindfulness

  • Definition: being aware—not only of yourself—but of others and your surroundings; being present, fully and completely, in every task and encounter

    Awareness of the world around you is the backbone of good journalism. It allows journalists to find the stories that are not being told about the community and those within it. 

• Objectivity:

  • Definition: seeing the world as it is, not how you wish it were

    Writing or creating content in an objective way provides the facts about a story while avoiding outside opinions. This is the goal of journalism: to deliver the news to the community that is factual and objective. 

• Authenticity

  • Definition: the degree to which a person's actions are congruent with their values and desires, despite external pressures to social conformity.

    As a journalist, you must take pride in the work you do. This also means taking ownership of mistakes made during the process. The level of confidence behind any content created will enhance the work as it increases.