Editorial

Editor’s Notes: Ethics, Controversy, and the Reader’s Right to Know R. Morgan Pigg, Jr.

chool health personnel expect to encounter contro- S versy. The poignant issues currently surrounding child and adolescent health often are by nature potentially volatile. When controversy arises, the differences of opinion usually occur between school health personnel and individuals or groups from outside the field. However, conflicts in professional opinion can develop within the field; these differences can be sharp and the results long-lasting. Such differences can and should be addressed through the professional literature. Consequently, when authors submit sensitive or potentially controversial material to the Journal of School Health, decisions must be made concerning the disposition of that material.

How does the editorial staff decide whether or not to publish such material? We begin with some general questions: Does the material address a relevant topic for the readership? Did the author make a “good faith” attempt to express a point of view without the potential for libel? Does the material present a point of view not heretofore expressed? Does the presenta- tion reflect a balanced perspective? If the material includes criticism - even constructive criticism - of other individuals or their work, such as in a letter to the editor, the editorial staff provides those individu- als mentioned with edited copy of the letter or manu- script and an invitation to respond. Some individuals choose to prepare a response, while others elect to allow the material to be published without comment.

After the initial consideration by the editorial staff, the Editor must accept ultimate responsibility for deciding if material will be published in the Journal of School Health. In addition to the general questions noted previously, I rely on an established principle of publication - the reader‘s right to know. If a letter or manuscript meets the tests of relevance, fairness, and sincerity - without the potential of libel for the author - editors must publish the material, even if it proves distasteful for some.

As a member of the Educational Press Association of America, our Journal is guided by the standards of practice delineated in the EDPRESS Code of Ethics. To show that such decisions are made with care and

R . Morgan Pigg, Ir., HSD, MPH, FASHA, CHE, Editor, Journal of School Health, P 0. Box 708, Kent, OH 44240, and Professor and Chairman, Dept. of Health Science Education, FLG-5, University of Florida, Gainesuille, FL 32611.

deliberation, I have reprinted the EDPRESS Code of Ethics for your information. With this code as a guideline, we will continue our efforts to publish your material addressing the important issues in the field.

CODE OF ETHICS Educational Press Association of America

PREAMBLE: Members of the Educational Press Association of

America affirm that the right to know is a paramount right of the people in a free society. The Educational Press Association further declares that the communi- cations media of a free society - and especially the education press - have both a right to freedom and a responsibility to the people they serve.

Education publications and individual education communicators holding membership in the Education- al Press Association of America accept the following principles and standards of professional practice. I. An education publication which holds membership

in the Educational Press Association of America: A. Endeavors to keep its audience well-informed

B. Abides by the stated purposes for which it is

C. Maintains the intellectual integrity that enables

on educational conditions, trends, and changes.

published.

it to present discussion of controversial issues affecting education.

D. Distinguishes between matters of fact and matters of opinion.

E. Makes every effort to guarantee the accuracy of the information it presents to its readers and promptly and appropriately corrects an error which it has published.

F. Keeps its pages free of plagiarism. G. Uses headlines and illustrations that accurately

reflect the contents of the articles to which they are related.

tising. H. Accepts or issues no false or misleading adver-

11. An education communicator who holds member- ship in the Educational Press Association of America: A. Accepts responsibility for the accuracy, fairness

and good taste of oral and written communi- cations.

Journal of School Health 9 August 1989, Vol. 59, No. 6 9 241

B. Uses language not to conceal but to reveal, not to confuse but to inform, not to obscure but to illuminate.

C. Seeks professional growth through continuous self-improvement and training,

D. Acts personally and professionaIly in accord with the public good.

E. Does not knowingly engage in any practice which tends to diminish or deny the right of the people to know.

F. Respects the confidentiality of sources of infor- mation.

G. Informs the employer when policies or activi- ties of the organization are in opposition to the principles of this code, and if the conflict can-

not be resolved, severs the relationship with the employer.

H. Does not wrongly injure the professional repu- tation or practice of another practitioner.

I. Deals fairly with authors, free-lance writers, artists, and other contributors.

J. Cooperates with fellow members in upholding and enforcing this code.

This code of ethics was adopted Iuly 2, 1975. T o sene the public interest by promoting practices

which further the right of the people to know. T o promote and maintain the highest standards of professional

and personal behavior and practice among the members. T o reaffirm the professional nature of education journalism.

242 Journal of School Health August 1989, Vol. 59, No. 6