Ethics of Reviewers
Because the principals of the First Amendment governing freedom of speech and the press is held in such high regard, writers are largely at liberty to write what they want and express themselves as they wish free of constraint. Of course, this is not without some limitations such as liability for committing libel or violating the right to privacy, as you will see in Chapters 21 and 22, or going beyond the protection of the First Amendment. But by and large, writers are not bound by ethical codes unless voluntarily agreeing to a code of ethics that may be required when joining a particular association of writers.
You must disclose any personal connection with the subject of your review, such as the author being a personal acquaintance or an actor in a play being a relative. Depending upon the editorial policy of the publisher, you will be compelled to mention the relationship in your review or be prohibited from writing the review altogether.
An exception to this general state of affairs is that journalists are bound to a code of conduct. Those reviewers who are journalists are consequently obliged to adhere to these principles. Because many reviewers are not journalists, the ethics of reviewers are general and informal. Nonetheless, there are some standards you would be wise to follow:
Do not allow any preconceived bias to affect your appraisal of the subject.
Be objective when presenting the facts and information such as describing the plot of a movie, the substance of a book, or the experience of the actors in a play.
Divulge any personal association you have with anyone involved in the subject of your review.
You should make a full disclosure if you do not complete the book or make an early exit from an exhibit, movie, or play, or not finish the meal in a restaurant.
Other than a complimentary copy of the book or passes to the show, etc., you cannot accept any remuneration for writing the review.
