LESSONS LEARNED? What should broadcast newsrooms learn from the CBS News "guard documents" mess? One lesson is simple: Try just as hard to prove your story wrong as you do to prove it right. Here are 8 good questions--a kind of ethics checklist--developed with the help of University of Georgia professor Michael Castengera.

1) Does your station have ethics guidelines?
Guidelines won't protect against everything. CBS News' own standards prohibit sharing information with anyone outside CBS News, much less with campaign consultants. But having some guidelines--in writing--make it clear that your newsroom is committed to abiding by ethical standards. RTNDA's ethics code is one place to start. If you create something more formal--like a policy manual--Castengera notes that complainants may try to use the manual against you. Be careful about the wording. Run any such manual by your lawyers.

2) Have you shared your ethics guidelines with the staff?
It's critical to share your standards and to share them often, considering the high rate of turnover in most newsrooms. When was the last time your staff met to discuss ethical issues? Do you highlight good ethical decision-making in memos to your staff? Michael Castengera notes that incidents like this one provide what academics call “teaching moments” – opportunities for your staff to learn, you to teach and both of you to grow.

3) What is your policy on using unnamed sources?
Do you require reporters to disclose the names of anonymous sources to a news executive? How much corroboration do you require before using information from an anonymous souce? Many sources have an axe to grind. Make it your practice to understand sources' motives in providing information, and weigh them in deciding the value and truthfulness of what they offer. Also, decide how much information about the source to share with viewers, so they can evaluate the credibility of the information.

4) What is your review process on controversial stories?
Of course you ask a lawyer to review investigative stories for potential libel and other problems. But stories can come back to haunt you even if they clear every legal hurdle. Castengera recommends an established series of steps for reviewing every story, with the more sensitive stories getting multi-layered reviews from higher management. A NewsLab study found that in most stations, script review for daily stories was haphazard, at best.

5) Do you have a policy for on-air corrections?
Much of the criticism of the CBS/Rather situation centers on how they handled questions and doubts about the story. CBS impugned the motives of its critics, went into denial, “stonewalled.” There is some evidence from the PR world that a clear admission of mistakes, early on, can enhance your image with the public. NewsLab research found that most newsrooms lack a clear and formal corrections policy.

6) Do you share your decision-making process with the viewer?
The RTNDA and SPJ ethics codes both emphasize the need for accountability in news organizations. RTNDA's code specifically says that newsrooms should "explain journalistic processes to the public, especially when practices spark questions or controversy." Again, the evidence is anecdotal but it indicates viewers appreciate being brought into the process.

7) Have you discussed the issue of political bias?
Most journalists don't take the extreme position of Washington Post editor Len Downie, who won't register to vote. But it's important to recognize one's political leanings and check any bias at the newsroom door.

8) Are you clear about your journalistic purpose?
In your newsroom, does good journalism take precedence over beating the competition? Castengera says the ultimate test may be to ask if you're willing to get beat on a story, while you're holding it for further confirmation. Yes, being first is important. But is it more important than being right? As he puts it: "If we are all honest with ourselves, we have to admit that in the rush to ratings we sometimes lose sight of what is supposed to be the real reason we do what we do. Of course it’s about ratings, but it’s also about informing the public, helping people to understand, creating the Jeffersonian democracy....How you balance those inherent conflicts sets the tone for you and your organization."