A review of the 42-year development of the professional code of ethics of the Associated Press Managing Editors (APME) demonstrates an effort to elevate newspaper ethical standards around the country. Following the example of the American Society of Newspaper Editors in establishing its "Canons of Journalism" in 1923, the APME formed a criteria committee that reviewed the findings of the Commission on Freedom of the Press (Hutchins Commission), the British Royal Commission, and the Brinton-Bush-Newell studies. In addition, 43 newspapers and the heads of 11 journalism schools were asked: "What makes a responsible, good, successful and community-conscious newspaper?" From material assembled during its study, the committee developed four criteria of a good newspaper: accuracy, responsibility, integrity, and leadership. Responding to a continued concern over the ethical problems of press/government relations, the free press/fair trial controversy, respect for privacy, and journalistic involvement in politics, the APME later created a professional standards committee that developed the present code of ethics and continues to study such topics as newspaper credibility, contests, press-created issues, sensationalism, political perquisites, and other ethical issues. (APME's Code of Ethics is included.) (AEA)