What does clause 4 of the Editor's Code state about personal grief or shock?

What does clause 4 of the Editor's Code state about personal grief or shock?

• A. A Journalists can intrude without restrictions
• B. B Approaches must be made insensitively
• C. C Inquiries must be handled with sympathy and discretion
• D. D Publication should ignore the emotional state of individuals

Answer: (C)

Clause 4 of the Editor's Code addresses the need for journalists to handle inquiries related to personal grief or shock with a high degree of care, sensitivity, and discretion. This is essential because individuals experiencing grief or shock are often in vulnerable emotional states, and responsible journalism requires respecting their feelings while reporting. By emphasizing that inquiries must be handled with sympathy and discretion, the clause seeks to protect those affected by tragedy and to ensure that the reporting does not exacerbate their suffering. This approach is fundamental to ethical journalism, as it balances the public’s right to be informed with the need to treat individuals with respect and humanity during difficult times. The other options imply a lack of sensitivity or suggest inappropriate behavior toward individuals in distress, which contradicts the principles established by the Editor's Code regarding the treatment of vulnerable subjects.

Clause 4 of the Editor's Code addresses the need for journalists to handle inquiries related to personal grief or shock with a high degree of care, sensitivity, and discretion. This is essential because individuals experiencing grief or shock are often in vulnerable emotional states, and responsible journalism requires respecting their feelings while reporting.

By emphasizing that inquiries must be handled with sympathy and discretion, the clause seeks to protect those affected by tragedy and to ensure that the reporting does not exacerbate their suffering. This approach is fundamental to ethical journalism, as it balances the public’s right to be informed with the need to treat individuals with respect and humanity during difficult times.

The other options imply a lack of sensitivity or suggest inappropriate behavior toward individuals in distress, which contradicts the principles established by the Editor's Code regarding the treatment of vulnerable subjects.