during the normal course of an assignment a reporter might go about gathering facts and details, conducting interviews, doing research and background checks, taking photos, and recording video and sound in search of justice. harm limitation deals with the questions of whether everything learned should be reported and, if so, how. this principle of limitation means that some weight needs to be given to the negative consequences of full disclosure, creating a practical and ethical dilemma. the society of professional journalists' code of ethics offers the following advice, which is representative of the practical ideas of most professional journalists. quoting directly: