HMAA Code of Ethics
| Horticultural Media Association of Australia (HMAA) members undertake to maintain the highest professional standards in their coverage of horticultural matters. They shall operate in a fair, honest and independent manner, showing respect for the rights of others.
Members commit themselves to improving the quality of life in Australia by sharing their knowledge, expertise and experience. and encouraging wider participation by members of the general community in a variety of horticultural pursuits. Members will: 1) Promote the positive aspects and benefits of horticulture to the broader community. 2) Engage in personal professional development activities that maintain and improve their knowledge base. 3) Report and interpret honestly, objectively and without exaggeration, striving for accuracy, fairness and disclosure of all essential facts without distortion of emphasis or suppression of information. 4) Use fair and honest means to obtain material, attributing material to its source and accepting confidentiality where the source seeks anonymity. 5) Not use information that they know to be untrue or misleading. 6) Do their utmost to correct mistakes promptly and fairly. 7) Not re-use, plagiarise or offer for publication or broadcast, material created by others, except with attribution and/or permission. 8) Disclose conflicts of interest and not improperly use their position as a horticultural media person for personal gain. 9) In editorial coverage, guard against advertising or commercial considerations improperly influencing content, and ensure personal views are clearly indicated as such. 10) Do not place unnecessary emphasis on personal characteristics including race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, age, sexual orientation, family relationships, religious belief, or physical or intellectual disability. 11) Present images which are accurate and without misleading manipulation. 12) Encourage an active awareness of environmental concerns and issues.
Adapted from the Media Alliance Code of Ethics http://www.alliance.org.au/hot/ethicscode.htm |
