Herald News Values
Herald Media is a Bible-based news organization. Accordingly, the "news" it chooses to report and analyze is based on a Bible-inspired set of values that differ from those news values commonly taught in journalism schools and followed by secular media outlets. We list and explain these values here so our audiences can know what to expect from us (and how we differ from secular outlets).
Herald Media editors look for at least one of the following in each story we publish:
Encouragement of Christian Faith: Herald Media reports stories of people finding and maintaining faith in Christ's promises. (The secular variation of this news value is often called Impact. It considers how likely a particular matter might affect a typical reader's life.)
Timelessness of God's Goodness: Herald Media reports stories of Biblical Truths showing themselves in our modern day. (The secular variation of this value is often called Timeliness. It assumes readers are most interested in recent matters.)
The Lord at Work in Our Midst: Herald Media reports stories of God's Holy Spirit moving through the communities it serves. (The secular variation of this value is often called Proximity. It assumes readers are most interested in matters occurring nearby.)
Prayerful Joys and Concerns: Herald Media reports on matters people bring to the Lord. (The secular variation of this value is often called Human Interest. Its aim is to invoke strong emotions.)
Godly Fellowship: Herald Media reports on stories of the Holy Spirit inspiring peaceful unity among God's people. (The secular variation of this value is often called Conflict. It assumes readers are most interested in events or discussions at or near the point of violence.)
Miracles: Herald Media reports stories of people and events that defy explanation by laws known to mankind. (The secular variation of this value is often called The Bizarre. It assumes readers are most interested in people or events that are wildly out of the common experience.)
Ceasar's News: Herald Media reports on publicly pronounced opinions, decisions and demands of government officials and other leaders. (The secular variation of this value is often called Prominence. It assumes readers are most interested in events involving political leaders and other well known people.)
Herald Code of Ethics
Though the Society of Professional Journalists does not invoke God or The Bible in its universally revered code of ethics, Herald Media finds that the principles in that code are consistent with the Bible's teaching. This company, therefore, subscribes to the code, and, more importantly, some Biblical corollaries we identify below. We welcome discussions over our adherence to these standards.
(Important note: the corollaries we list are Bible quotations we believe illustrate the related moral point behind the their related items in the SPJ Code. We acknowledge that our selections are debatable, and we welcome discussions in that regard. Accordingly, this list may be updated from time to time as alternative corollaries are put forth for prayerful consideration. Our list reflects that latest prayerful consensus of Herald Media leadership.)
From SPJ's Code:
"The Society declares these four principles as the foundation of ethical journalism and encourages their use in its practice by all people in all media...
Seek Truth and Report It
"Journalists should:
"– Take responsibility for the accuracy of their work. Verify information before releasing it. Use original sources whenever possible."
Biblical Corollary: "Now, the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, 'Did God actually say, 'You shall not eat of any tree in the garden?' And the woman said to the serpent,'We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden but God said, 'You shall not east of the fruit of the tree that is in the idst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.' But the serpent said to the woman, ' You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God knowing good and evil.'" -- Genesis 3:1-24
"– Remember that neither speed nor format excuses inaccuracy."
Biblical Corollary: "Desire without knowledge is not good, and whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way." -- Proverbs 19:2
"– Provide context. Take special care not to misrepresent or oversimplify in promoting, previewing or summarizing a story."
Biblical Corollary: "Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 'If you are the Son of God,' throw yourself down. For it is written: 'He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up on their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.' Jesus answered him, 'it is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'" -- Matthew 4:4-7
"– Gather, update and correct information throughout the life of a news story."
Biblical Corollary: "'But, Lord,' said Martha, the sister of the dead man, 'by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.' ... Jesus called in a loud voice, 'Lazarus, come out!' The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face." -- John 11: 39 and 43-44
"– Be cautious when making promises, but keep the promises they make."
Biblical Corollary:“'Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’" -- Matthew 5:33
"– Identify sources clearly. The public is entitled to as much information as possible to judge the reliability and motivations of sources."
Biblical Corollary: "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.” --1 John 4:1-4
"– Consider sources’ motives before promising anonymity. Reserve anonymity for sources who may face danger, retribution or other harm, and have information that cannot be obtained elsewhere. Explain why anonymity was granted."
Biblical Corollary:"So the Three (eternally anonymous men risked their lives as they) broke through the Philistine lines, drew some water from the well by the gate in Bethlehem, and brought it back to David." -- 2 Samuel 23:16
"– Diligently seek subjects of news coverage to allow them to respond to criticism or allegations of wrongdoing."
Biblical Corollary:“You shall not spread a false report. You shall not join hands with a wicked man to be a malicious witness." - Exodus 23:1
"– Avoid undercover or other surreptitious methods of gathering information unless traditional, open methods will not yield information vital to the public."
Biblical Corollary:"Now the LORD said to Samuel, 'How long will you grieve over Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go; I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have selected a king for Myself among his sons.' But Samuel said, 'How can I go? When Saul hears of it, he will kill me.' And the LORD said, 'Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.'” 1 Samuel 16:1-2
"– Be vigilant and courageous about holding those with power accountable. Give voice to the voiceless."
Biblical Corollary: "Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause. -- Isaiah 1:17
"– Support the open and civil exchange of views, even views they find repugnant."
Biblical Corollary: "To speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people." -- Titus 3:2
"– Recognize a special obligation to serve as watchdogs over public affairs and government. Seek to ensure that the public’s business is conducted in the open, and that public records are open to all."
Biblical Corollary: "Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation." -- Psalm 146:3
"– Provide access to source material when it is relevant and appropriate."
Biblical Corollary: "Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them." -- Ephesians 5:8-11
"– Boldly tell the story of the diversity and magnitude of the human experience. Seek sources whose voices we seldom hear."
Biblical Corollary:"My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, 'You sit here in a good place,' while you say to the poor man, 'You stand over there,' or, 'Sit down at my feet,' have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?" -- James 2:1-26
"– Avoid stereotyping. Journalists should examine the ways their values and experiences may shape their reporting."
Biblical Corollary: “Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.” -- John 7:24
"– Label advocacy and commentary."
Biblical Corollary: "'What is truth?' retorted Pilate. With this he went out again to the Jews gathered there and said, 'I find no basis for a charge against him'" -- John 18:38
"– Never deliberately distort facts or context, including visual information. Clearly label illustrations and re-enactments."
Biblical Corollary: "But God came to Abimelek in a dream one night and said to him, 'You are as good as dead because of the woman you have taken; she is a married woman.' Now Abimelek had not gone near her, so he said, 'Lord, will you destroy an innocent nation? Did he not say to me, ‘She is my sister,’ and didn’t she also say, ‘He is my brother’? I have done this with a clear conscience and clean hands." -- Genesis 20: 3-4
"– Never plagiarize. Always attribute."
Biblical Corollary: "Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, declares the Lord, who steal my words from one another." --Jerimiah 23:30
Minimize Harm
"Journalists should:
"– Balance the public’s need for information against potential harm or discomfort. Pursuit of the news is not a license for arrogance or undue intrusiveness."
Biblical Corollary: "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."-- Philippians 4:8
"– Show compassion for those who may be affected by news coverage. Use heightened sensitivity when dealing with juveniles, victims of sex crimes, and sources or subjects who are inexperienced or unable to give consent. Consider cultural differences in approach and treatment."
Biblical Corollary: "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." -- Galatians 6:2
"– Recognize that legal access to information differs from an ethical justification to publish or broadcast."
Biblical Corollary: "But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men." -- Acts 5:29
"– Realize that private people have a greater right to control information about themselves than public figures and others who seek power, influence or attention. Weigh the consequences of publishing or broadcasting personal information."
Biblical Corollary: "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets." -- Matthew 7:12
"– Avoid pandering to lurid curiosity, even if others do."
Biblical Corollary: "As obedient children, do not be shaped by the desires that used to influence you when you were ignorant." -- 1 Peter 14
"– Balance a suspect’s right to a fair trial with the public’s right to know. Consider the implications of identifying criminal suspects before they face legal charges."
Biblical Corollary: "Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly." -- Leviticus 19:15
"– Consider the long-term implications of the extended reach and permanence of publication. Provide updated and more complete information as appropriate."
Biblical Corollary: "Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble." -- Psalm 107:1-2
Act Independently
"Journalists should:
"– Avoid conflicts of interest, real or perceived. Disclose unavoidable conflicts."
Biblical Corollary: "Abstain from all appearance of evil." -- 1 Thesselosians 5:22
"– Refuse gifts, favors, fees, free travel and special treatment, and avoid political and other outside activities that may compromise integrity or impartiality, or may damage credibility."
Biblical Corollary: "Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out." -- Proverbs 10:9
"– Be wary of sources offering information for favors or money; do not pay for access to news. Identify content provided by outside sources, whether paid or not."
Biblical Corollary: "And you shall take no bribe, for a bribe blinds the clear-sighted and subverts the cause of those who are in the right." -- Exoducs 23:8
"– Deny favored treatment to advertisers, donors or any other special interests, and resist internal and external pressure to influence coverage."
Biblical Corollary: “My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism” -- James 2:1
"– Distinguish news from advertising and shun hybrids that blur the lines between the two. Prominently label sponsored content."
Biblical Corollary: "You shall not steal, nor deal falsely, nor lie to one another." -- Leviticus 19:11
Be Accountable and Transparent
"Journalists should:
"– Explain ethical choices and processes to audiences. Encourage a civil dialogue with the public about journalistic practices, coverage and news content."
Biblical Corollary: "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth." -- 2 Timothy 2:15
"– Respond quickly to questions about accuracy, clarity and fairness."
Biblical Corollary: "My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry," -- James 1"19
"– Acknowledge mistakes and correct them promptly and prominently. Explain corrections and clarifications carefully and clearly."
Biblical Corollary: "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us." -- 1 John 1:8
"– Expose unethical conduct in journalism, including within their organizations."
Biblical Corollary: "Amon was twenty-two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned two years in Jerusalem. And he did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, as Manasseh his father had done. Amon sacrificed to all the images that Manasseh his father had made, and served them. And he did not humble himself before the Lord, as Manasseh his father had humbled himself, but this Amon incurred guilt more and more. And his servants conspired against him and put him to death in his house. But the people of the land struck down all those who had conspired against King Amon. And the people of the land made Josiah his son king in his place." -- 2 Chronicles 33:21-25
"– Abide by the same high standards they expect of others."
Biblical Corollary: "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?" -- Matthew 7:3