We hope everyone enjoyed a fabulous Palm Beach Pride Month, because now it’s time to kick things up a notch with a little “Mayhem!”

From April 14 through 18, the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) is hosting Ethics Week — a time to celebrate the very ethical backbone of journalism. Without ethics, who would believe (or even read) our stories? After all, we’re not Fox News!

Since the tradition of outrageous April Fool’s Day shenanigans on April 1 is well-known, SPJ has stirred the pot with their SIN & WIN contest. The idea behind the SIN Issue is to let our imaginations run wild, crafting outlandish, completely fictional stories — all in the spirit of fun and creativity. (The staff and I had an absolute blast putting together these wild tales!)

But here’s the twist: as we deliberately bend the rules of journalistic ethics (yes, you read that right), we’re also shining a spotlight on what ethical violations look like. Think of it as an interactive game where every page proudly lists the specific ethical breaches we’ve committed. Your mission, should you choose to bravely accept it, is to hunt down each and every violation.

The first reader to spot the most ethical slip-ups will earn the honorary OutFAU Reader’s Award! Not only will we shout your name from the digital rooftops, but you’ll also get a chance to either contribute a story or decide on the next piece I, your fearless Executive Editor, must cover.

So, buckle up and get ready to dive into our SIN Issue — where chaos meets creativity, and ethical lessons are learned in the most unconventional way possible. Enjoy the mayhem and happy sleuthing!

Read the issue here.
 
Codes Broken

Seek Truth and Report It: 

• “Never deliberately distort facts or context, including visual information. Clearly label illustrations and re-enactments.”

Minimize Harm: 

• “Show compassion for those who may be affected by news coverage. Use heightened sensitivity when dealing with juveniles, victims of sex crimes, and sources or subjects who are inexperienced or unable to give consent.”

Be Accountable and Transparent: 

• “Explain ethical choices and processes to audiences. Encourage a civil dialogue with the public about journalistic practices, coverage and news content.”

Act Independently: 

• “Deny favored treatment to advertisers, donors or any other special interests, and resist internal and external pressure to influence coverage.” 

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