The control regarding plagiarism in journalism in Spain: A timid advance in the face of a great challenge of the digital age

Abstract

The media are a source of information for journalists on many occasions. This can produce a journalism which is too uniform and, sometimes, may even lead to plagiarism. This article studies plagiarism from a dual perspective: the media or journalists as victims and/or culprits of this illicit practice. The research studies, in depth, the rules (deontological codes, style manual and collective agreements), and the actions and resolutions which have been carried out by the corporate institutions of the journalistic profession (press councils, intermediary commissions) and the main Spanish media. The analysis reveals a timid advance in the struggle against plagiarism in the journalistic profession: there is a greater commitment on the part of press associations and the bodies which deal with complaints and seek to ensure ethical codes are met.