The New York Times‘ “Audio Slideshow Standards” document:
“Pre-recorded scoring music is used sparingly, when it contributes to the effectiveness of a story without editorializing. Since this determination is admittedly subjective, scoring music is only used with advance editorial approval from the multimedia editor. Also, proper rights must be granted in advance, in writing, for composition and recording rights.”
American Press Institute’s “Digital Dilemmas for Visual Journalism Ethics” handout:
“Light music that fits the tone of a feature story can enhance a video ethically. Using music for dramatic effect in a serious drama may be manipulative or emotional in an inappropriate way. The more serious or sensitive the story, the more careful you should be in using background music. Ask some colleagues to review a video if you have any doubts and discuss whether the music is used appropriately. Be sure someone plays devil’s advocate and asks the tough questions.”
Radio-Television News Directors Association’s policy:
“Be judicious in your use of music and special sound effects. When you add music to a story, the audience must understand you have added the sounds. Music, especially, has the ability to send complex and profound editorial messages. If the journalist records music that occurred at the scene of his or her story, then that is ambient sound that might ethically be edited into the story. However, if the music is a soundtrack audio recording, then journalists must ask themselves whether the music adds an editorial tone to the story that would not be present without the music.”
CBC/Radio-Canada’s journalistic standards and practices:
“Special effects, including sound effects, should be used with particular care in the presentation of journalistic material. On the rare occasions when they are used, rigorous judgment must be applied to ensure that they do not distort reality or have the effect of producing editorial comment.
“Accuracy and integrity can be compromised by abuse of the technology of radio and television, which offers a wide variety of visual and sound effects, to modify what is being broadcast. Music is perhaps the most obvious of these effects, but they include such things as lighting, camera angles, slow motion, etc.”
National Press Photographers Association’s code of ethics:
“Editing should maintain the integrity of the photographic images’ content and context. Do not manipulate images or add or alter sound in any way that can mislead viewers or misrepresent subjects.”
Poynter’s 10 questions for making ethical decisions