Ethics for Writers

Some web sites allow advertisements from companies requesting writers to write term papers, book reports, essays, etc., for college and high school students.  I don’t agree with that.

I don't want to endorse such practices by something as simple as supporting such a web site.  I e-mailed a letter of complaint to the site owner. I decided if I complained, I should put my money where my mouth is, so to speak.

I started searching for a code of ethics for writers.

No Code of Ethics
I allowed myself to fall into a trap of my own making.  I thought since ethics is a topic I am interested in, it wouldn’t be too difficult to find any information on ethics for writers.

I was wrong.

It turns out that there is not a code of ethics for writers.  Except for journalists.

Several searches on Yahoo , Google , Lycos , and others, eventually lead me to a page on the WGA West website.  In his bid for a position with the Board of Directors of the WGAw in 1999, Charles Pogue said, “I applaud John Walls’ call for a Code of Ethics among writers.”

Granted, he was talking about screenwriters.  However, I think this applies to all writers.

People take exception with the idea of a code of ethics for writers.  One argument is that no one Code of Ethics would be relevant to all writers; you can’t corral fiction writers and freelance writers under one code of ethics.  This is true.

Another argument said that all writers, regardless of what field they write in, should only be accountable to their own personal ethics; there is no need for Codes of Ethics to govern entire professions because this implies that people in general are unethical.  Again, this is true.

Yet another argument said the Code of Ethics for Journalists is all that is needed.  One of the tenets of this code says we should not lie.  This is applicable for both journalists and fiction writers.  However, for me, the question here is how do we know when a fiction writer is lying?  Most of what they write is made up.

Professionalism and Personal Integrity
Are professionalism and personal integrity a good substitute for a Code of Ethics?  Which definition of each are we operating under?  Everyone, and many dictionaries, have different meanings for both terms.

The Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary online uses the following definitions:

• professionalism: noun 1 : the conduct, aims, or qualities that characterize or mark a profession or a professional person  2 : the following of a profession (as athletics) for gain or livelihood
  
• integrity: noun firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values

There are many similar definitions for these terms, but there’s no use in covering the same ground over and over again.

But how do professionalism and personal integrity relate to ethics for writers?  Do they relate?

Yes, they do.  Granted, they are both personal values on which people place varying levels of importance.

If I, as a writer, am not professional in my approach to my craft, I an a hobbyist or sloppy.

There is much to be said for a professional approach, regardless of what field.  Professionalism says we are serious about what we do, we care about the impression we present and will do the job we are assigned. (I have to admit, there are some scam artists in every field imaginable who do present a professional façade.)

Integrity is also important. If we don’t trust ourselves, why should anyone else?  This also raises a question.  If we are unprofessional, do we also lack integrity?

Honesty
Why is honesty important?

Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary online says:

• honesty: noun 1: fairness and straightforwardness of conduct 2: adherence to the facts; sincerity

What does this mean for writers?

If we’re not honest in what we write, the reader doesn’t get an accurate description of the facts.  Whether it is deliberate or not, we would be misleading our readers.  In fiction, it might be forgivable.  In nonfiction and reporting, it isn’t.

In face-to-face contact, we don’t like to be lied to.  For that matter, we don’t want to be lied to.  Why should it be any different in print?

Respect
Respect is a value common to both sides of the table.

Again, using The Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary online :

• respect: noun 1: an act of giving particular attention; consideration 2 a : high or special regard; esteem b : the quality or state of being esteemed

Writers don’t want to work with editors they can’t, or don’t, respect.  The same can be said for editors working with writers.

There is an argument that says as long as a writer produces good work, the editor will buy it.  Without a foundation of professionalism and integrity, an editor has nothing on which to build respect.  In such a situation, the writer/editor relationship isn’t a mutually beneficial one.  As writers, we may very well put out a good product, but would we buy something from someone we didn’t respect? Or trust?

Trust
It would probably be more precise to say “trustworthiness.”  As writers, we need to trust ourselves to be able to do the job we are assigned.

For the purposes of this article, let’s define both trust and trustworthiness using The Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary online :

• trust: noun 1a: assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something b: one in which confidence is placed 2: dependence on something future or contingent; hope
  
• trustworthiness: noun state of being worthy of trust; dependability

No one can confer trust on us, however, except the other person in a working relationship: the editor or client.  But how does this happen?

The simple answer: Through work.

However, as we know, things are rarely simple.  Especially the process of building trust.  It can be done by turning in good articles, reliable articles that can be believed and contain accurate facts.

Notice I said articles.  Plural.  Few things happen overnight.  Building trust is a slow, gradual process in the everyday world, not to mention when you are working with editors at various publications.

Be patient.  The qualities listed in this article all build upon each other.  I can’t earn trust without being professional, honest, respectable, and trustworthy.  Think of it as building a pyramid.

Personal integrity and honesty form the base of the pyramid.  The second layer is made up of professionalism.  Trust, or trustworthiness, is the peak of the pyramid.

The absence of an official code of ethics boils down to one thing:  We are accountable only to ourselves within the guidelines provided by existing laws, common sense, and respect for the work of others.  At the end of the day, I know I have done what I can to uphold my personal ethics while working within the laws.  I have to be satisfied with that.