Does the news seem unbalanced? Not always presenting different sides of a subject? Do journalists seem a little too willing to accept at face value the spin given to them? A recent mention of a code of ethics made me go searching and, lo, I found one. I don't know exactly who belongs to this society but it sure looks good to me. Of course, I doubt this applies to "opinion" programs on TV. Still, it reminds me of how the press should act but does so rarely. Excerpts from the Society of Professional Journalists - Code of Ethics:

• Test the accuracy of information from all sources and exercise care to avoid inadvertent error. Deliberate distortion is never permissible.
• Make certain that headlines, news teases and promotional material, photos, video, audio, graphics, sound bites and quotations do not misrepresent. They should not oversimplify or highlight incidents out of context.
• Tell the story of the diversity and magnitude of the human experience boldly, even when it is unpopular to do so.
• Support the open exchange of views, even views they find repugnant.
• Give voice to the voiceless; official and unofficial sources of information can be equally valid.
• Distinguish between advocacy and news reporting. Analysis and commentary should be labeled and not misrepresent fact or context.
• Distinguish news from advertising and shun hybrids that blur the lines between the two.

Under the heading of "Act Independently" are these nuggets:

• Avoid conflicts of interest, real or perceived.
• Remain free of associations and activities that may compromise integrity or damage credibility.
• Refuse gifts, favors, fees, free travel and special treatment, and shun secondary employment, political involvement, public office and service in community organizations if they compromise journalistic integrity.
• Disclose unavoidable conflicts.
• Be vigilant and courageous about holding those with power accountable.
• Deny favored treatment to advertisers and special interests and resist their pressure to influence news coverage.
• Be wary of sources offering information for favors or money; avoid bidding for news.

Looking at this Code, I would be very surprised if many of the "superstar" news people on cable and broadcast are members of the Society. I would guess journalists' allegiance would be first to their paycheck and then to this Society.

Some other journalistic ethics pages:
http://www.poynter.org/subject.asp?id=32
http://www.presscouncils.org/html/frameset.php?page=library2 - the Independent Press Council