Foreword

Honesty, justice and courtesy form a moral philosophy when associated with mutual interest between human beings. This constitutes the foundation of ethics. Broadcast engineers should recognize such a standard of behavior not in passive observance, but as dynamic principles guiding their conduct and way of life. It is the duty of all broadcast engineers to practice their profession according to this Canon of Ethics. The Keystone of professional conduct is integrity. Broadcast engineers will discharge their duties with fidelity to the public and to their employers, and with impartiality to all. Broadcast engineers must uphold the dignity of their profession and avoid association with any enterprise of questionable character. Broadcast engineers will strive to be fair, tolerant, and open minded.

Professional Life

    Section 1. The Broadcast Engineer will cooperate in extending the effectiveness of the engineering profession by interchanging information and experience with other broadcast engineers and students and by contributing to the work of engineering societies, schools and the scientific and engineering press.

    Section 2. The Broadcast Engineer will avoid all conduct or practice likely to discredit or unfavorably reflect upon the dignity or honor of the profession.

Relations with the Public

    Section 3. The Broadcast Engineer will endeavor to extend public knowledge of broadcast engineering and will discourage the spreading of untrue, unfair, and exaggerated statements.

    Section 4. The Broadcast Engineer will have due regard for the safety of life and health of the public and employees who may be affected by the work for which he or she is responsible.

    Section 5. The Broadcast Engineer will express an opinion when it is founded on adequate knowledge and honest conviction while he or she is serving as a witness before a court, commission or other tribunal.

    Section 6. The Broadcast Engineer will not issue ex parte statements, criticisms or arguments on matters connected with the public policy which are inspired or paid for by private interests, unless he or she indicates on whose behalf he or she is making the statement.

    Section 7. The Broadcast Engineer will refrain from expressing publicly an opinion on an engineering subject unless he or she is informed as to the facts relating hereto.

Relations with Clients and Employers

    Section 8. The Broadcast Engineer will act in professional matters for his employer as a faithful agent or trustee.

    Section 9. The Broadcast Engineer will act with fairness and justice between his or her employer.

    Section 10. The Broadcast Engineer will make his or her status clear to his or her employer before undertaking an engagement if he or she may be called upon to decide on the use of inventions, apparatus, or any other thing in which he or she may have a financial interest.

    Section 11. The Broadcast Engineer will guard against conditions that are dangerous or threatening to life, limb or property on work for which he or she is responsible, or if he or she is not responsible, will promptly call such conditions to the attention of those who are responsible.

    Section 12. The Broadcast Engineer will present clearly the consequences to be expected from deviations proposed if his or her engineering judgment is overruled by non-technical authority in cases where he or she is responsible for the technical adequacy of engineering work.

    Section 13. The Broadcast Engineer will engage, or advise his employer to engage, and he or she will cooperate with, other experts and specialists whenever the employer's interests are best served by such service.

    Section 14. The Broadcast Engineer will not disclose information concerning the business affairs or technical processes of employers without their consent.

    Section 15. The Broadcast Engineer will not accept compensation, financial or otherwise, from more than one interested party for the same work, without the consent of all interested parties.

    Section 16. The Broadcast Engineer will not accept commissions or allowances, directly or indirectly, from contractors or other parties dealing with his employer in connection with work for which he or she is responsible.

    Section 17. The Broadcast Engineer will not be financially interested in the bid as or of a contractor on competitive work for which he or she is employed as an engineer unless he or she has the consent of his or her employer.

    Section 18. The Broadcast Engineer will promptly disclose to his or her employer any interest in a business which may compete with or affect the business of his or her employer. He or she will not allow an interest in any decision regarding engineering work for which he or she may be called upon to perform.

Relations with Engineers

    Section 19. The Broadcast Engineer will endeavor to protect the broadcast profession collectively and individually from misrepresentation and misunderstanding.

    Section 20. The Broadcast Engineer will take care that credit for work is given to those to whom credit is properly due.

    Section 21. The Broadcast Engineer will uphold the principle of appropriate and adequate compensation for those engaged in broadcast work, including those in subordinate capacities, as being in the public interest and maintaining the standards of the profession.

    Section 22. The Broadcast Engineer will endeavor to provide opportunity for the professional development and advancement of personnel in his or her employ.

    Section 23. The Broadcast Engineer will not directly or indirectly injure the professional reputation, prospects or practice of another colleague. However, if he or she considers that an individual is guilty of unethical, illegal or unfair practice, he or she will present the information to the proper authority for action.

    Section 24. The Broadcast Engineer will exercise due restraint in criticizing another colleague's work in public, recognizing the fact that the engineering societies and engineering press provide the proper forum for technical discussion and criticism.

    Section 25. The Broadcast Engineer will not try to supplant another engineer in a particular employment after becoming aware that definite steps have been taken toward the other's employment.

    Section 26. The Broadcast Engineer will not use the advantages of a salaried position to compete unfairly with another engineer.

    Section 27. The Broadcast Engineer will not become associated in responsibility for work with engineers who do not conform to ethical practices.