The shared responsibilities of authors and the press in upholding the First Amendment.
Integrity and ethics—now that's a pair of words that doesn't get thrown around enough these days.
But if you're a nonfiction author, journalist, or editor, you better darn well know the meanings of those terms, because they're the cornerstone of our professions.
As a wise man once said (and which you might recall from a prior blog post),
"Integrity without knowledge is weak and useless, and knowledge without integrity is dangerous and dreadful." —Samuel Johnson
Let's break it down, shall we? Integrity means being honest and having strong moral principles. It means doing the right thing, even when nobody's watching. It means being true to yourself and your readers, and not compromising your beliefs for fame or fortune.
Whether you are a nonfiction author, journalist, or editor, your integrity is your most valuable asset. It's what sets you apart from the hacks and the phonies. Without it, you're just another talking head or keyboard clicker, spouting off whatever you think will sell.
Now let's talk ethics. Ethics is about doing what's right, not just what's legal or what will make you the most money. It's about following a code of conduct, a set of principles that guide your behavior and decision-making.
Ethics provide authors, journalists, and editors with a roadmap to navigate difficult terrain. They tell you when it's okay to use anonymous sources, when it's not okay to pay for information, and when it's time to retract a story. They keep you honest and accountable to your readers, your sources, and your profession.
Your First Amendment rights and freedoms give you power. But that doesn't mean you should wield it willy-nilly. You all probably know the quote that has become cliché in a pop culture era dominated by the Marvel Comics Universe: "With great power . . . " yada, yada, yada.
I prefer a more irreverent take on that from a late, great political humorist who also dabbled in editing, journalism, and book authoring:
"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." —P.J. O'Rourke
Let's face it, folks. In today's world, the line between fact and fiction is getting blurrier than an old news reporter's vision after a night of hard drinking.
The press is under attack from all sides—deservedly so—and authors are under pressure to produce clickbait instead of quality writing. It's enough to make a grown man and once-true believer in the importance of journalism cry into his bourbon.
But that's where integrity and ethics come in, my friends. They're the lifeboat in the sea of fake news and alternative facts. They're the lighthouse that guides us through the fog of spin and propaganda. They're the compass that keeps us on course, even when the winds of public opinion are blowing in all directions.
So if you're an author or a journalist, remember this: your integrity and your ethics are non-negotiable. They're not something you can compromise, or fudge, or manipulate for your own gain. They're the foundation of your profession, the bedrock of your credibility, and the key to your success.
Most survivors in O'Rourke's chosen professions will tell you that sticking to the truth will make any consequences easier to bear over the long haul. So be true to yourself, be true to your readers, and be true to the First Amendment.
Because as the Father of Our Country once said,
"Truth will ultimately prevail where there is pains to bring it to light." —George Washington
And let's face it, folks, we could all use a little more light these days.
So if you are an author who is up to the task, and understand that with great power comes great responsibility, I know an editor who is ready to help you exercise your First Amendment freedoms.
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