Journalists should be aware of the basic dilemma of citizens that they need timely and deep knowledge of important issues and trends--but people lack the time and means to access most of this crucial information. Thus journalists should use their special access to put the material they gather in a context that will engage public attention and also allow them to see trends and events in proportion to their true significance in their lives. People have a right to expect news that is proportional and relevant

News reports should not overstate the true nature of threats to the community such as crime and unusual weather. To provide a complete picture, people also should expect journalists to cover those aspects of community life that are functioning well. The successes should be as apparent as our failures. Journalists should balance the public right to know with the personal right to privacy.