Analysis of the truth principle’s ontological foundation on the ethical codes of journalism

Abstract

This article presents a research on the current state of journalism codes of ethics in relation to their ontological foundation. The objective is to determine the prevailing ontological foundation underlying each code of ethics and its adjustment to current journalistic practice. The study was based on a textual analysis of a selection of codes of ethics and on the opinions of experts using a Delphi methodology. Also discussed are different ways of understanding the social communication process and the characteristics that allow the identification of the ontological frameworks of scientific realism or intersubjectivism. The results of this research show that current ethical codes tend to assume an ontological position derived from scientific realism, and this is approved and endorsed by expert opinions.