In this weeks Shopper News, weekly columnist Victor Ashe wrote (here) about Mayor Rogero endorsing one of our advertisers Councilman Nick Pavlis who is running for re-election. In the article, the columnist reveals that he has contributed to Pavlis campaign. While I believe that was and is a wise contribution. The problem is that it breaches the Society of Professional Journalist code of ethics, in particular the “Act Independently” section of the code.
Here is the link to the Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics. “— 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.”
It seems that Ashe should become a blogger instead of being a weekly columnist for an E W Scripps owned paper.
