Integrity: Comparing apples and oranges

 

 

Christian integrity. Journalistic integrity. Are they one and the same? Is one a subset of the other? Or are we comparing apples and oranges?

 

The Society of Professional Journalists' code of ethics states, "Professional integrity is the cornerstone of a journalists' credibility." According to Merriam-Webster, integrity is the quality of being honest and fair.

 

Honesty and fairness are both biblical principles. In fact, they are two of the top three listed in the "think on these things" verse (Philippians 4:8).

 

To a Christian, integrity means to be truthful, to be honest with himself and with others, and to be fair in his or her treatment of people. Journalistic integrity means the same thing.

 

But what does this integrity "look like?" To us as journalists, integrity means the facts are right, and the story is balanced. This may sound like a simple statement, but a realm of principles lies behind it - quoting accurately and within context, checking the factuality of comments made by sources, interviewing people on both sides of an issue, etc.

 

Now take the template of Christian integrity and lay it over journalistic integrity. The Christian journalist will make sure the facts are right, because the Bible says, "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." He or she will be fair and unbiased in treatment of the story and of the people involved in the story, because the Bible says, "For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him."

 

Because we as Christian journalists are first and foremost Christians, we need to remember that we are called to reach the lost. While we have opportunities to have our words in front of the multitudes, we need to remember to reach people like we would in any other profession - one at a time as we come into contact with them.

 

The way Jesus did this was through compassion. In the same way, we need to see the people we interview as lost souls and have compassion on them. Treat them with respect; treat their story with respect. And as God gives opportunity, we can share our faith with them.

 

This is what will make the Christian journalist in the secular media stand out like the orange in a sea of apples. As time goes on, we can take a look at how the Christian journalist responds in specific situations, but the underlying motivations should be compassion for a lost and dying world, and integrity in all we do, say, and write.