Professional Standards and Ethics
Core ethical duties
A reporter's authority rests on trust in the accuracy and neutrality of the record. Know the core duties: confidentiality of proceedings and transcripts; impartiality toward all parties; competence and continuing education; avoidance of conflicts of interest; and honest, timely production. A reporter does not give legal advice, does not edit substance, and does not decide what is 'off the record' without proper direction made on the record.
Common traps
Questions often test whether a reporter will bend the record for a friendly party. Private requests to delete testimony, 'clean up' grammar, or change speaker labels should be refused unless there is a proper correction procedure. Confidentiality is not absolute: a valid court order or statutory requirement may compel disclosure. Gifts or outside work can create conflicts; disclose rather than hide them. Also distinguish errors of transcription (correctable) from substantive changes (not the reporter's call).
Worked example
An attorney calls after a deposition and says, 'Please remove my client's admission-it was just a sidebar.' If the exchange was captured and not properly placed off the record, the reporter should not privately delete it. The reporter preserves the record and refers the attorney to the correction process on the record or by court order.
Rule of thumb
Ask: 'Does this action protect the integrity of the record and the rights of every party?' If not, don't do it.