What are the core principles of the SPJ Ethics Code and how do they guide newsroom behavior?

• A. Seek truth and report it; minimize harm; act independently; be accountable.
• B. Prioritize speed over accuracy.
• C. Respect sources by withholding all information.
• D. Publish unverified tips.

Answer: (B)

The idea being tested is understanding the four guiding principles of the SPJ Ethics Code and how they shape newsroom behavior. Those four principles—seek truth and report it; minimize harm; act independently; be accountable—direct how journalists verify information, weigh the potential impact of their reporting, avoid conflicts of interest, and acknowledge and correct mistakes. The choice that lists these four principles together aligns with how newsroom ethics guide daily practice: reporters aim for accuracy and fairness, protect sources and the public from harm, maintain independence from outside pressures, and remain open to accountability. This combination ensures reporting is trustworthy and responsible. Choices that emphasize speed over accuracy, withholding information, or publishing unverified tips run counter to these standards because they sacrifice factual reliability, transparency, and the public interest.