Conflicts of interest, real and perceived, are best avoided

The thing about a potential conflict of interest is that, if you are concerned enough to ask yourself the question, you usually know the answer. Often, the answer is yes, there’s a problem. Conflicts can arise in any profession. Journalists recognize this as clearly as anyone. The Society of Professional Journalists, the nation’s largest and most broad-based journalism organization, has a code of ethics for journalists to consider when making decisions related to their work. One principle, in the category of “Act Independently,” says journalists should: “Avoid conflicts of interest, real or perceived. Disclose unavoidable conflicts.