By scrutinizing the extensive and growing literature on media ethics and media codes, as well as the current history of litigation in libel cases, this paper analyzes the risks presented by journalistic social responsibility in the context of expanding tort liability for what might loosely be called journalistic malpractice. Following a review of malpractice claims against other professionals in fields such as law and medicine that raise significant issues regarding the boundary between legal and moral responsibility, the paper considers cases in which journalists face similar issues, including the Westmoreland-CBS case. Specifically, the paper focuses on the use of professional standards and policies as either the source of newly developed legal duties or as standards against which claims of professional malpractice may be measured. Finally, the paper speculates briefly about the implications of the social responsibility theory for journalists. (Ninety-eight footnotes are appended.) (NKA)