A journalist researches a possible scheme by a financial services company to steal money from its clients. He has one source, a woman who lost all of the money that she had invested with the company. He also talks to competing firms, who say that the company in question has no ethics. With just this information, the journalist publishes a story accusing the company of stealing clients’ money.

Which part of the code of ethics set by the Society of Professional Journalists does the journalist most violate?

a
keeping news separate from paid advertising
b
seeking the truth and reporting news without bias
c
minimizing harm by showing compassion
d
being accurate and transparent