Ethos: Your opinion matters, or does it?

I have been thinking a great deal about ethics lately, whether it be in politics or journalism so I decided to look further at the definition of the word itself.

According to wikianswers.com the word ethics is derived from the Greek word Ethos. Ethos is defined as "the distinguishing character, sentiment, moral nature, or guiding beliefs of a person, group, or institution"

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_root_word_for_ethics#ixzz1yF73M0JL)

I had to ponder this one for a moment because there is often a proverbial line in the sand we as writers, journalist, bloggers (pick your title) will not cross when writing about either fact or opinion news.  Where does ethics come into play?  Perhaps subject matter or perhaps further the comments one allows to be made about your opinion.

I recently had several friends experience their comments on a blogger's article changed from their original submissions to something quite opposite of what was written.  In fact the meaning was changed so drastically that it created an opposing viewpoint from what was submitted.  If you put it out there, be prepared to have someone think differently than you and man or woman up to that possibility.  You may choose not to post comments, but if you do I firmly believe you do not have the right to edit those comments to have them align with your op-ed or article.  That is censorship beyond the #@$! kind.

I think your guiding beliefs should be that of free speech.  But then again that is my opinion.  It is perhaps what has made journalism so great in our nation, the forth estate.  If I don't like what you have to say, I can comment or not.  I don't even have to read what you write, I have that choice.  However, the "moral nature" and the "distinguishing character, sentiment" would be something a writer might want to draw a very straight line in the sand and not cross.  Deceit, lies and speculations are not news or opinion, they are deceit, lies and speculation.  Look these words up, they also have definitions, and you will not see a great writer, journalist or blogger listed.