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FOWA Code of Ethics
PURPOSE:
Members of the Florida Outdoor Writers Association, Inc. (FOWA) conduct business, professional, and personal relationships with integrity, propriety and honesty.
This Code of Ethics covers our relationship with the public, the media who use our material, the outdoor industry, and outdoor communicators. Each Canon outlines minimum general standards which apply to all members.
Each branch of the communications industry has specific practices, and many employers have their own code of conduct that may be at variance with this general guideline. These minimum levels of conduct, however, will be applied equally to all members of FOWA.
Acceptance of this Code is a condition for acceptance for membership and adherence to the Code is a condition of continuance of membership.
Following each Canon are some, but not all, examples covered by that Canon.
Under each Canon is general information to help clarify the coverage and meaning of the Canon. There are also specific examples of situations that could lead to a violation of the Canon. This information and the examples are not meant to be all-inclusive, but only to serve as guidelines for member conduct.
CANON I – In dealing with the public and fellow outdoor communicators, we shall strive for honesty, integrity, accuracy, and truth at all times. Accuracy in reporting, fairness in controversy, and objectivity
will be our first goals. Facts and opinions will be separate, clearly indicated, and attributed.
CANON II – We shall sell no rights we do not own. If photos, footage, art or editorial material have been furnished by others, the members shall advise the publisher and arrange proper credit, or payment, or both. If materials were published previously, the member shall advise accordingly.
CANON III – We shall deal fairly with all aspects of the outdoor industry. Lease, loan, discount sale and gifts of products or services may be offered to outdoor communicators. However, no member may solicit such products or services unless he or she has an assignment, expectation of a sale, or a potential market. More importantly, members may not solicit goods, services or financial remuneration with promises of favorable editorial publicity. Members who offer services or products shall not condition their lease, loan, discount sale or gift with the explicit expectation of favorable publicity. Members shall refuse any item, service or benefit that is conditional upon a promise to produce such publicity. This, however, does not forbid members from entering commercial agreements, such as sponsorship, that include use of the sponsor’s products on camera, or writing “advertorials,” or other promotional copy, provided it is clearly understood by all parties as such. Consigned goods will be returned when and if agreed upon. Discounts, if extended to members are for the member’s benefit only. Discount purchases for others abuses this privilege. Prompt payment of invoices is mandatory.
CANON IV – We will adhere to all federal, state and local laws and regulations pertaining to flora, fauna and conservation. As outdoor communicators we are in a special position of public trust. We must obey conservation laws wherever we travel. We should discourage others from violation and report any violations we observe.
CANON V – We shall maintain integrity with FOWA and our fellow communicators. No member shall use the FOWA insignia to imply endorsement of any action, product, idea, or event sponsored by said member without the express written consent of FOWA. This does not restrict or prohibit members from displaying the insignia as a means of exhibiting their affiliation with FOWA. No member may use official FOWA stationery except in the conduct of official business of the Association. No member shall provide the FOWA membership list or directory to any non-member. Such a request must be referred to the Chairman of the Board, President, or Executive Director. Plagiarism of words or images is thievery. We must attribute when needed, and/or properly credit our sources. Excessive representation of public domain material as one’s own work is unethical. No member shall make a false statement in connection with membership qualifications, or continued membership during any review of qualifications.
PROCEDURES FOR HANDLING AN ETHICS CHARGE:
To file charges: Any violation of the Code of Ethics can be reported to the Chair of the Ethics Committee, any member of the Ethics Committee, or to the Executive Director. The report must be in writing and be signed by the person(s) making the charge(s). The charge(s) must contain evidence and/or additional information to support the charge.
Enforcement Procedure: A copy of all charges and evidence will be submitted to the Executive Director for a headquarter’s file, and for proper distribution to the President, Chair of the Board and the Chair of the Ethics Committee. The Chair of the Ethics Committee will review the charge(s), conduct a preliminary investigation, and present the results of the investigation to the Ethics Committee. Thereafter, the handling of the ethics charge will proceed in accordance with the procedure established under Article XII-B, Florida Outdoor Writers Association, Inc. Bylaws.
Respect for Privacy: In all dealings, the Ethics Committee, the Executive Director, President and Chair of the Board will operate in a manner to protect the privacy of the parties involved in an ethics charge. It is the intent to keep matters private with the interests of FOWA. If a hearing concerning the ethics charge is conducted before the Board of Directors, the procedures will be in accordance with the Article XII-B of the FOWA Bylaws.
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