Be Accountable

   There are four ethical principles that journalists should follow.  They are seek the truth and report it, minimize harm, act independently, and be accountable.  All of them are equally important, but I'll be focusing on the last one, be accountable.
   To be accountable basically means to take responsibility for one's article.  You wrote it, if there's something wrong with it, you deal with the consequences.  There's no one else you can blame.  If someone gave you wrong information, you should have investigated more.
   In life people are always telling you to take responsibility for your actions, and it carries over to almost everything.  If you messed up, own up to it.  There are only four ethical principles, so follow them.  It's the right thing to do.