OWAC Code of Ethics

A. PURPOSE OF THE OWAC ETHICS POLICY

1. Members of the Outdoor Writers Association of California are expected to maintain the highest level of professional conduct. Violations of the group’s code of ethics can result in penalties up to and including expulsion.
2. Observance of the OWAC Code of Ethics is a condition of membership in the organization.
3. Procedures for filing a complaint are detailed below.

B. GUIDELINES FOR MEMBER ACCEPTANCE OF FREE EQUIPMENT, LODGING, TRAVEL OR OTHER WORK-RELATED ITEMS AND SERVICES

1. Acceptance of equipment, lodging, travel and other items and services in pursuit of stories or photographs are a common practice in outdoor journalism. However, OWAC members shall not accept such items or services unless there is a reasonable expectation they will indeed contribute to a story or photograph.
2. Members shall not agree to give favorable editorial publicity as a means of obtaining equipment, lodging, travel or other items and services. If such a condition is required then the item or service must be refused. When accepting items or services it is incumbent on the OWAC member to make this clear to the provider.
3. Discounts commonly extended to members as a courtesy must benefit OWAC members only. Discount purchases for others, except with the approval of the supplier, is an abuse of this privilege.

C. JOURNALISTIC INTEGRITY

1. Plagiarism must be avoided at all costs.
2. Honesty and fairness in editorial and pictorial content provide the foundation of good journalism. Members should strive for accuracy, fairness in controversy and objectivity in their work.
3. Personal opinion and editorializing should be clearly labeled and not be presented as fact in a story.

D. OBSERVANCE OF FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL LAWS

1. Members must never knowingly violate fish or game laws or regulations. It is a member’s obligation to be knowledgeable of these laws and regulations in any area where he or she fishes, hunts or visits for other purposes.
2. A violation of any law resulting in a felony conviction shall automatically dictate referral to the OWAC Board of Directors.

E. PROCEDURES FOR ETHICS COMPLAINTS AGAINST OWAC MEMBERS

1. An ethics complaint may be submitted to any member of the Board of Directors or to any member of the OWAC Ethics Committee. Such a complaint must be in writing, include supporting evidence and be signed by the person(s) making the complaint.
2. The chairman of the Ethics Committee shall review the charge, conduct a preliminary investigation and present the results of the investigation to other members of the Ethics Committee, which after consideration shall refer it to the Board of Directors, including all evidence and with a recommendation either for dismissal or further action. If other members are unavailable, the chairman of the Ethics Committee shall refer the complaint to the OWAC Board of Directors, including all available information and a recommendation on what action, if any, should be taken.
3. The Board of Directors is the only body that may take disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion of a member. Such disciplinary action may be taken after review of the evidence and statements of all parties involved. Any action must be by a majority of the board under the bylaws of the organization.
4. All parties involved in the complaint shall be advised of the decision of the Board of Directors.
5. All person involved in an ethics complaint, including members of the Ethics Committee and the Board of Directors, shall operate in a manner so as to protect the privacy of parties to an ethics charge.