PressEthic

The Observer broke a story this morning about New York Times Publisher Arthur O. Sulzberger Jr. sending out an email reminder about the Times' policy on gifts.

December 4, 2006

To the Staff,

As in years past, the holiday season serves as a good time to remind ourselves of our Company's policy on receiving gifts.

We are not permitted to accept gifts with a value greater than $25.

While this sum is low, it is intentionally so, for we must avoid the misunderstanding that a gift given (and accepted in all innocence) creates some benefit for the person who gave it. If you receive any gift valued greater than $25, please return it promptly to the sender with a note explaining this policy.

I wish you all a happy and healthy holiday.

Arthur

Although the Society of Professional Journalists' code of ethics says under its Act Independently section, that reporters should "refuse gifts, favors, fees, free travel and special treatment," I suppose a scarf or a desk clock wouldn't convince a journalist to schew their reporting in favor if a gift-giver. But it's difficult to justify taking anything from a source besides information and facts.