Journalists should be free of obligation to any interest other than the public’s right to know. Unlike this uncomfortable interview between Jon Stewart and then-NY Times reporter Judith Miller (who in this case was guilty of ‘source-filtering’).

Ethical journalists should:

• Avoid conflicts of interest, real or perceived.
• Remain free of associations and activities that may compromise integrity or damage credibility.
• Refuse gifts, favors, fees, free travel and special treatment, and shun secondary employment, political involvement, public office and service in community organizations if they compromise journalistic integrity.
• Disclose unavoidable conflicts.
• Be vigilant and courageous about holding those with power accountable.
• Deny favored treatment to advertisers and special interests and resist their pressure to influence news coverage.
• Be wary of sources offering information for favors or money; avoid bidding for news.

 from the Society of Professional Journalists (1973)