The field of journalism is awash with various codes of conducts and standard practices to which most professionals adhere. However, some take advantage of the system for personal gain. Look at the use of confidential sources. If "off the record", a source may never be revealed. Controversies like "Jimmy's World" ( a running serial about an 8 year old boy hooked on heroine) deceived the modern press when it turned out that "Jimmy" did not exist. The writer (Janet Cooke) deceived common practice to further her own career.
The use of photos is also a contentious issue. Should editors post pictures of dead bodies? For example, there were pictures available of Princess Diana in her fatal car crash, but night editors thought against the use of these photos as they were deemed to be unacceptable and against the recognised codes of conduct within mainstream print journalism.
Sensationalism within the popular press has been deemed ,by some, as unethical behaviour. In some circles, tabloid media's supposed exaggeration of stories is in breach of journalistic values. However, it can be argued that certain 'sensationalised' pieces have not actually altered the truth, rather the writers have put an exciting spin on stories which were once drab and colourless.
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