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Some International
Codes of Ethics
ASEAN
<Top>
Adopted by the 1989 Seventh
Assembly of the Confederation of ASEAN Journalists
Preamble
The Confederation of ASEAN
journalists, aware of the responsibility of journalists
to the public in each country of the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations, with a view to achieving peace and progress
in the region, hereby promulgates this Code of Ethics for
ASEAN Journalists.
1.The ASEAN journalist
shall resort only to fair, open and honest means or efforts
to obtain news, photographs or documents necessary to enable
him/her to carry out his/her professional work, properly
identifying him/herself in the process as being a representative
from media.
2.The ASEAN journalist shall no allow personal motives or
interests to influence him/her or to colour his/her views
in a manner that would reflect on his/her professional integrity
or would undermine the dignity of his/her profession.
3.The ASEAN journalism shall not demand or accept any payment,
gift or other consideration by way of recompense for reporting
what is not true, or withholding or suppressing the truth.
4.The ASEAN journalist shall honestly report and interpret
the news, making sure to the best of his/her knowledge and
ability, not to suppress essential facts or distort the
truth through exaggeration or through wrong or improper
emphasis.
5.The ASEAN journalist shall give any person aggrieved by
his/her report or interpretation of the news the right of
reply.
6.The ASEAN journalist shall not violate confidential information
or material obtained by him/her in the exercise of his/her
calling.
7.The ASEAN journalist shall not identify his/her source,
and shall resist any outside attempt to make him/her do
so, when specifically so enjoined by his/her informant.
8.The ASEAN journalist shall refrain from writing reports
which have the effect of destroying the honour or reputation
of a private person, unless public interest justifies it.
9.The ASEAN journalist shall pay due regard to the multi-ethnic,
cultural and religious fabric of ASEAN countries.
10.The ASEAN journalist shall not write reports, opinions
or comments which would endanger the security of his/her
country or foment armed confrontation between his/her country
and any other ASEAN country, striving at all times, instead,
to promote closer friendly relations among them.
Source : http://www.ijnet.org/Code_of_Ethics2/ASEAN_Journalists_Code_of_Ethics.html
Federation
of Arab Journalists
ARAB CODE OF ETHICS <Top>
adopted by Third Conference
of the Federation of Arab Journalists, April 1972, Baghdad.
The Code is based on the following principles:
1.Commitments to the objectives
of the public and the right of the Arab nation to unity,
freedom and progress.
2.Journalists adhere to respect the right of individuals
to privacy and dignity. They should abstain from publishing
personal or family scandals aiming to weaken family relations.
3.The message of the press is sacred, it should not be subjected
to opportunism, dishonesty, defamation.
4.The message of the press entails adherence to objective
reality and truth. Journalists are committed to obtain information
and facts by legal means and to correct any published material
in case of discovering inaccuracy in it.
5.Solidarity among Arab journalists must be based on defence
of professional ethics, exposing those who behave improperly
or those who seek out personal profit and give priority
to personal interests by publishing unfounded news and by
making statements aiming to create sensation and to encourage
corruption and crime.
6.Journalists are committed to support justice in courts
not to stand by any party against the other or support any
case as far as the authority concerned had not issued the
sentence yet.
7.Journalists should respect publication rights, abstain
from plagiarism.
8.Before practicing the profession the journalist - according
to the statute of his own organization - should make the
following oath: "I swear by professional honour to
perform my work honestly and truthfully, keep professional
secrets, abide by its regulations and traditions and defend
its dignity."
9.There should be a demarcation between opinions and advertisements
so that no propaganda or political opinions and ideas slip
into publication as edited materials. Such materials should
be clearly specified as advertisements in newspapers and
magazines.
Political advertisements submitted by foreign bodies are
prohibited unless they are in harmony with the national
policy. In that case publication should be equal to established
ordinary prices in order not to turn advertisement into
indirect donation from a
Foreign State. Members of affiliated unions and organizations
should refrain from publishing their names under advertisements
so that the reputation and moral influence of journalists
are not utilized by advertizers. Advertisement represents
a social service, its essential function is to push the
scale of goods which are useful to the consumer and such
a function does need to be performed through lies or cheating.
Newspapers, magazines and other mass media are
entitled to check data and facts in advertisements in order
to maintain the reputation of the press. In addition, journalists
should dedicate pages for special issues on edited dvertisement
which spread propaganda for the benefit of imperialist states,
reactionary forces and foreign monopolies which contradicts
supreme Arab interests.
Source: Nordenstreng,
Kaarle (Ed.) 1989: Journalist: Status, Rights and Responsibilties.
Prague: International
Organization of Journalists, p. 273-274
International
Federation of Journalists
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES ON THE CONDUCT OF JOURNALISTS
<Top>
adopted by the Second World
Congress of the International Federation of Journalists
at Bordeaux on 25-28 April 1954 and amended by the 18th
IFJ World Congress in Helsingör on 2-6 June 1986.
This international Declaration
is proclaimed as a standard of professional conduct for
journalists engaged ingathering, transmitting, disseminating
and commenting on news and information and in describing
events.
1.Respect for truth and
for the right of the public to truth is the first duty of
the journalist.
2.In pursuance of this duty,
the journalist shall at all times defend the principles
of freedom in the honest collection and publication of news,
and of the right of fair comment and criticism.
3.The journalist shall report
only in accordance with facts of which he/ she knows the
origin. The journalist shall not suppress essential information
or falsify documents.
4.The journalist shall use
only fair methods to obtain news, photographs and documents.
5.The journalist shall do
the utmost to rectify any published information which is
found to be harmfully inaccurate.
6.The journalist shall observe
professional secrecy regarding the source of information
obtained in confidence.
7.The journalist shall be
aware of the danger of discrimination being furthered by
the media, and shall do the utmost to avoid facilitating
such discrimination based on, among other things, race,
sex, sexual orientation, language, religion, political or
other opinions, and national or social origins.
8.The journalist shall regard
as grave professional offences the following:
- plagiarism
- malicious misrepresentation
- calumny, slander, libel, unfounded accusations
- the acceptance of a bribe in any form in consideration
of either publication or suppression.
9.Journalists worthy of
that name shall deem in their duty to observe faithfully
the principles stated above. Within the general law of each
country the journalist shall recognize in professional matters
the jurisdiction of colleagues only, to the exclusion of
every kind of interference by governments or others.
Source: http://www.uta.fi/ethnicnet/ifj.html
Islamic
Media Conference (Jakarta 1980)
ISLAMIC MASS MEDIA CHARTER <Top>
adopted by the First International
Islamic Mass Media Conference, Jakarta, 1.-3. September
1980.
The Islamic Mass Media Charter is an integral part of the
Jakarta Declaration
In keeping with our belief
in Allah and Allah's Apostle; and in implementation of Islamic,
Shariah; and in complete awareness of the imminent dangers
besetting the Muslim Ummah and impeding its religious reawakening
and in appreciation of the important role of the various
forms of Mass-Media and its worthy aims, integrity of the
profession and its tradition and; conscious of the goals
and aspirations of the Ummah, we workers in the Islamic
Media who are now gathered here at the First International
Islamic Mass-Media Conference, hereby endorse this charter
for Islamic Media. We solemnly pledge to conform to it and
regard it a torchlight for all our endeavours as well as
a source of rights and obligations.
Article 1
Consolidation of faith
of the Muslim individual in Islamic values and ethical principles.
Work towards achieving integration of the Muslim individual's
Islamic personality.
Endeavour to present real facts within the frame-work of
Islamic rule of conduct.
Endeavour to acquaint the Muslim individual with his duties
towards others, his basic rights and liberties.
Article 2
Muslim Media-Men should
strive to unite the ranks of Muslims, and to advocate resorting
to wisdom, Islamic brotherhood and tolerance in solving
their problems.
Islamic Media-men should be committed to the following:
To combat all forms of colonialism, aggression, Fascism
and Racism.
To combat Zionism and its colonialist policy of creating
settlements as well as its ruthless suppression of the Palestinian
people.
Islamic Media-men should keep vigilance against anti-Islamic
ideas and trends.
Article 3
Islamic Media-Men should
censor all material which is either broadcast or published,
in order to protect the Ummah from influences which are
harmful to Islamic character and values, and in order to
forestall all dangers.
Islamic Media-workers should follow a decent style in carrying
out the duties and should in preserving the integrity of
the profession and Islamic traditions avoid using offensive
words and refrain from publishing obscene material, nor
indulge in cynicism, slander, provocation of "Fitna''
rumour-mongering and other forms of defamatory actions.
To refrain from either broadcasting or publishing anything
that goes against public morality and the rules of decent
demeanour. This also means any condoning of crime, violence,
suicide or anything that arouses terror or provokes lower
instincts, whether directly or indirectly, should be strictly
avoided. Commercial advertisements which go against morality
should be stricly debarred from either broadcasts or publications.
Article 4
Islamic journalists must be committed to the propagation
of Da'wah, to elucidating Islamic issues and to the defence
of Muslim point of view. They should also seek to introduce
Muslim peoples to one another. They should also be interested
in Islamic history, Islamic civilization and the promotion
of Arabic language and its dissemination among Muslims,
especially Muslim minorities. They should also be committed
to re-establish the dominion of Shariah, in lieu of man-made
laws and principles. They must be committed to struggle
for the liberation of Palestine, especially Al-Quds. They
must be totally dedicated to the idea of the Islamic Ummah
which must be untainted by either regional, national or
tribal chauvinism. They must also strongly advocate the
fight against under development in all its manifestations
and support the effort towards full development which should
guarantee to the Ummah its betterment and power.
Source: "The Journal
Rabitat Al-Alam Al-lslami", 7. 1980 (12), p. 60-61
UNESCO
INTERNATIONAL PRINCIPLES OF PROFESSIONAL ETHICS IN JOURNALISM
Adopted 1983 by the Fourth
cosultative meeting of the UNESCO
International and regional organizations of professional
journalists, representing altogether 400 000 working journalists
in all parts of the World, have held since 1978 consultative
meetings under the auspices of UNESCO. The second consultative
meeting (Mexico City, 1980) expressed its support to the
UNESCO Declaration on Fundamental Principles concerning
the Contribution of the Mass Media to Strengthening Peace
and International Understanding, to the Promotion of Human
Rights and to Countering Racialism, Apartheid and Incitement
to War. Moreover, the meeting adopted the "Mexico Declaration"
with a set of principles which represent common grounds
of existing national and regional codes of journalistic
ethics as well as relevant provisions contained in various
international instruments of a legal nature.
The fourth consultative meeting (Prague and Paris, 1983)
noted the lasting value of the UNESCO Declaration in which
it is stated inter alia that "the exercise of freedom
of opinion, expression and information, recognized as an
integral part of human rights and fundamental freedoms,
is a vital factor in the strengthening of peace and international
understanding". Furthermore, the meeting recognized
the important role which information and communication play
in the contemporary world, both in national and international
spheres, with a growing social responsibility being placed
upon the mass media and journalists.
The International Principles of Professional Ethics in Journalism
were prepared by several consultative meetings of international
and regional organizations of journalists between 19 78
and 1983. The following organizations participated. International
Organization of Journalists (IOJ), International
Federation of Journalists (IFJ), International Catholic
Union of the Press
(UCIP), Latin-American Federation of Journalists
(FELAP), Latin-American Federation of Press Workers
(FELATRAP),
Union of African Journalists (UJA), Confederation
of ASEAN Journalists (CAJ). The International Federation
of Journalists did not participate in the conclusive meeting
of this process in Paris, in November 1983, which agreed
the document.
On this basis the following principles of professional ethics
in journalism were prepared as an international common ground
and as a source of inspiration for national and regional
codes of ethics. This set of principles is intended to be
promoted autonomously by each professional organization
through ways and means most adequate to its members.
Principle I: Peoples's
right to true information
People and individuals have the right to acquire an objective
picture of reality by means of accurate and comprehensive
information as well as to express themselves freely through
the various media of culture and communication.
Principle II: The
journalist's dedication to objective reality
The foremost task of the journalist is to serve the people's
right to true and authentic information through an honest
dedication to objective reality whereby facts are reported
conscientiously in their proper context, pointing out their
essential connections and without causing distortions, with
due deployment of the creative capacity of the journalist,
so that the public is provided with adequate material to
facilitate the formation of an accurate and comprehensive
picture of the world in which the origin, nature and essence
of events, processes and states of affairs are understood
as objectively as possible.
Principle III: The journalist's
social responsibility
Information in journalism is understood as social good and
not as a commodity, which means that the journalist shares
responsibility for the information transmitted and is thus
accountable not only to those controlling the media but
ultimately to the public at large, including various social
interests. The journalist's social responsibility requires
that he or she will act under all
circumstances in conformity with a personal ethical consciousness.
Principle IV: The
journalist's professional integrity
The social role of the journalist demands that the profession
maintain high standards of integrity, including the journalist's
right to refrain from working against his or her conviction
or from disclosing sources of information as well as the
right to participate in the decision-making of the medium
in which he or she is employed. The integrity of the profession
does not permit the journalist to accept any form of bribe
or the promotion of any private interest contrary to the
general welfare. Likewise it belongs to professional ethics
to respect intellectual property and, in particular, to
refrain from plagiarism.
Principle V: Public
access and participation
The nature of the profession demands that the journalist
promote access by the public to information and participation
of the public in the media, including the right of correction
or rectification and the right of reply.
Principle VI: Respect
for privacy and human dignity
An integral part of the professional standards of the journalist
is respect for the right of the individual to privacy and
human dignity, in conformity with provisions of international
and national law concerning protection of the rights and
the reputation of others, prohibiting libel, calumny, slander
and defamation.
Principle VII: Respect
for public interest
The professional standards of the journalist prescribe due
respect for the national community, its democratic institutions
and public morals.
Principle VIII: Respect
for universal values and diversity of cultures
A true journalist stands for the universal values of humanism,
above all peace, democracy, human rights, social progress
and national liberation, while respecting the distinctive
character, value and dignity of each culture, as well as
the right of each people freely to choose and develop its
political, social, economic and cultural systems. Thus,
the journalist participates actively in the social transformation
towards democratic betterment of society and contributes
through dialogue to a climate of confidence in international
relations conducive to peace and justice everywhere, to
détente, disarmament and national development. It
belongs to the ethics of the profession that the journalist
be aware of relevant provisions contained in international
conventions, declarations and resolutions.
Principle IX: Elimination
of war and other great evils confronting humanity
The ethical commitment to the universal values of humanism
calls for the journalist to abstain from any justification
for, or incitement to, wars of aggression and the arms race,
especially in nuclear weapons, and all other forms of violence,
hatred or discrimination, especially racialism and apartheid,
oppression by tyrannic regimes, colonialism and neocolonialism,
as well as other great evils which afflict humanity, such
as poverty, malnutrition and diseases. By so doing, the
journalist can help eliminate ignorance and misunderstanding
among peoples, make nationals of a country sensitive to
the needs and desires of others, ensure the respect for
the rights and dignity of all nations, all peoples and all
individuals without distinction of race, sex, language,
nationality, religion or philosophical conviction.
Principle X: Promotion
of a new world information and communication order
The journalist operates in the contemporary world within
the framework of a movement towards new international relations
in general and a new information order in particular. This
new order, understood as an integral part of the New International
Economic Order, is aimed at the decolonization and democratization
of the field of information and communication, both nationally
and internationally, on the basis of peaceful coexistence
among peoples and with full respect for their cultural identity.
The journalist has a special obligation to promote the process
of democratization of international relations in the field
of
information, in particular by safeguarding and fostering
peaceful and friendly relations among States and peoples.
Source: http://www.unesco.org/webworld/com/compendium/1419.html
Bangladesh
CODE OF CONDUCT
Adopted by Newspapers, News
Agencies and Journalists of Bangladesh, 1993
1.It is the responsibility
of a journalist to keep people informed of issues which
influence them or attract them. News and commentaries have
to be prepared and published showing full respect to the
sensitivity and individual rights of the newspaper readers
as well as the people.
2.Truth and accuracy in respect of information available
shall be ensured.
3.Information received from
reliable sources may be published in public interest induced
by honest intention and if facts presented therein are considered
trustworthy by logical consideration, then the journalist
has to be absolved of any adverse consequence for publication
of such news.
4.Reports based on rumours
and not supported by facts shall be verified before publication
and if these are considered not suitable for publication,
one should refrain from publication of such news.
5.News items whose contents
are dishonest and baseless or whose publication hinges on
breach of trust shall not be published.
6.Newspapers and journalists have the right to express their
views strongly on controversial issues but in doing so:
a.All true events and views shall be expressed clearly.
b.No event shall be distorted in order to influence the
readers.
c.No news shall be distorted or slanted dishonestly either
in the main commentary or in the headline.
d.Views on main news shall be presented clearly and honestly.
7.The editor has the right
to publish any advertisement in newspapers signed by proper
authorities, even if it is apparently against individual
interest but not slanderous or against public interest.
If protest is made with regard to such advertisement, the
editor shall print and publish it without any cost.
8.Newspapers shall refrain
from publishing any news which is contemptuous of or disrespectful
to caste, creed, nationality and religion of any individual,
community or the country.
9.If a newspaper published
any news against the interest and good name of any individual,
agency institution or group of people or any special category
of people, then the newspaper or journalist concerned should
provide opportunity to the aggrieved persons or institutions
to publish their protest or answer quickly and correctly
within a reasonable period of time.
10.If the published news
is damaging or is improper, then it should immediately be
withdrawn and corrigendurn or explanation (and in special
cases apology) should be issued so that the impression (bad
or erroneous) created by publication of such news is removed.
11.Sensational and pulpy
news shall not be published to augment the circulation of
a paper if such news is deemed vulgar, improper and against
public interest.
12.Newspapers may adopt
reasonable measures with a view to resisting crime and corruption
even if they may not in some cases be deemed acceptable
to someone.
13.The extent and durability
of the influence of newspapers is greater than other media.
For this reason a journalist writing for newspapers shall
be particularly cautious about the credibility and veracity
of sources and shall also preserve his source material in
order to avoid risks.
14.It is the responsibility
of the newspapers to publish the news of under-trial cases
at all stages and to publish the final judgment of the Court
in order to reveal the actual picture of issues relating
to the case. But a journalist shall refrain from publishing
such comment or opinion as is likely to influence an under-trial
case until the final verdict is announced.
15.Rejoinder of the aggrieved
party or parties directly involved with a news item published
in a newspaper shall be quickly published in the same newspaper
on such a page as would easily attract the attention of
the readers; the editor, while editing the rejoinder, shall
not change its basic character.
16.If an aggrieved party
sends a rejoinder for the damage done to him by an editorial,
it shall be the moral obligation of the editor to publish
the corrigendurn in the same page and also express his/her
regrets.
17.The publication of malicious
news is far more immoral than that of wrong news without
malicious intent.
18.It is the moral duty
of an editor to accept full and sole responsibility for
all publications in his/her newspaper.
19.A reporter while reporting
on a case of financial or other irregularity shall, to the
best of his ability, ascertain the facts in his news item
and must collect sufficient material to justify the truth
of the matter reported. He should adopt the necessary precautions
while investigating the case.
20.A responsible publication
which has not been contradicted may be the source of a news
but it shall be a moral duty on the part of a journalist
not to avoid responsibility regarding the news on the pretext
that it has been reprinted.
21.It is the responsibility
of a journalist to highlight any news which projects degeneration
of moral values in our society but it is also the moral
responsibility of a journalist to maintain extra precaution
in publishing any news involving man-woman relationships
or any report relating to women.
22.Respect for the law shall
be highlighted.
23.All government employees
and the people in general shall be made aware of the need
to preserve national resources.
24.No programmes shall be
shown containing scenes of torture to human beings or animals.
25.The programmes shall
eulogise the role of the genuine freedom fighters during
the wars of liberation.
26.All scenes of indecent
kissing must be avoided while showing local and foreign
films or programmes. No programmes of terrorism, violence
or other contents contrary to Bangladeshi cultural values
shall be put out.
27.In the case of advertisements,
no commodity shall be undermined while promoting another.
Commercials shall not contain any obscene words or scenes.
Source: Communication
Ethics: A South Asian Perspective, Asian Media Information
and Communication Centre,
Singapore. 1997
Union as an embodiment
of solidarity
among the working masses, and the agent through which these
masses own the press institutions. This definition should
be such as to allow the press to be a true instrument of
expression for all the working masses, without domination
or control, being obliged only to adhere to the general
political line of the Arab Socialist Union. No position
of leadership in
the press shall be occupied by anyone against whom socialist
measures have been taken in compliance with the will of
the working masses or in confirmation of their rights ;
2.Non-interference by the
executive and administrative authorities in the direction,
orientation or administration of the press, whether this
interference be through the imposition of direct censorship
on the press, issuing instructions of any kind thereto or
in any other form ; such interference shall be regarded
as a violation of the rights of the working masses ;
3.Full respect of and adherence
to Law 76/1970, regulating disciplinary measures for journalists.
Journalists should not be discharged, transferred to non-journalistic
jobs, demoted, barred from performing their work in any
way or subjected to any penalty except within the framework
of the Law of their Syndicate and by the authority designated
to take the disciplinary measures provided for in that Law.
Consequently, no outside authority shall interfere in the
affairs of journalists, and regulations should be drawn
up to determine the relationships between journalists within
their institutions ;
4.Definition and regulation
of the role of advertising in a way which is compatible
with the conditions and circumstances of a society in process
of transformation into a socialist one and struggling for
liberation from economic exploitation, and periodicals ;
Egypt
(1983)
CODE OF ETHICS <Top>
adopted by the Supreme Council
of the Press in Egypt, 1983
We, the Egyptian Journalists,
believing in the glory of the journalistic profession and
the connection between journalists' consciousness and the
consciousness of public opinion, are honoured to declare
this Charter and to be committed to it.
First
a.The Concept of Journalism
is tied to freedom of the press under the sole supervision
of the people.
b.Protecting the honour
of the press is a right that cannot be separated from defending
the liberties that have been granted by the constitution
for the individual and the public. Defending the right of
comradeship and its dignity among journalists is inseparable
from the honour of the press.
c.The activities of journalists
should be based on telling the truth and on loyalty to the
country, the people, the land and the country's history,
freedom, honour, value, principles and interests.
d.The truthful written word
and the other kinds of press media belonging to it is the
responsibility of journalists. They are entitled to defend
it as they defend the honour of their profession on grounds
of justice and supremacy of law. It is a trust that should
respect all liberties and virtues of the Egyptian family.
e.The protection of public
opinion and public taste from harm is a journalistic sacred
duty.
f.The dignity of the journalist stems from the dignity of
his country and profession.
Second
These six fundamental points of the honour of the press
require commitment to the following:
a.Journalists, senior or
junior, are prohibited from harming each other personally,
depriving each other of their rights, not allowing each
other to perform their professional duties or forcing them
to say or do anything that might affect their journalistic
and social character, including the right to keep their
sources undisclosed.
b.The journalist should
be committed to the rights of the citizen, above all his
right to information. He should not conceal from the citizens
relevant facts he knows, nor should he exaggerate them.
He should present the facts complete without distortion.
This covers the citizen's right to maintain his dignity
and riot to harm his reputation by a news item, drawing
or picture with the aim of slandering or passing judgement
oil him before being sentenced by a court of law.
c.The journalist should
not benefit from his job illegally or be biased in whatever
he publishes, to the extent that he might not be objective.
d.News and commentaries
transmitted to citizens should be authentic and far from
reprisals, or the sowing of unjustified doubt. Published
words in any exchange of views should be honest .
e.The journalist's responsibility
is complete, he should not throw it on the shoulders of
the editor-in-chief, claiming that he was only obeying orders.
Third
The journalist enjoys the following privileges:
a.The right to express
his opinion and respect the opinions of others in accordance
with the law.
b.To protect himself from
any material or moral aggression.
c.The right to obtain correct
information that the nature of his job might require.
d.The right to disclose
those who may deceive him by providing false news and information
and those who might deny their earlier words because of
fear so that they may be called to account before the
Finland
GUIDELINES FOR GOOD JOURNALIST PRACTICE <Top>
adopted by the Union of Journalists
in Finland in November 1991, entered into force on 1 January
1992.
Introduction
The basis of good journalistic
practice is a citizen's right to correct and essential information
by which he can form a realistic picture of the world and
society around him. The professional ethics of a journalist
involves the respecting of basic human values, like human
rights, democracy, peace and international understanding.
A journalist must recognize his responsibility for the environment
and be aware of the environmental effects related to the
questions he deals with. Good journalistic practice does
not limit either the journalist's own or the public's freedom
of expression. It aims at promoting discussion and information
flow, and involves responsibility for the principles and
policies of communication. The guidelines for journalists
concern all journalistic work, regardless of the medium.
evertheless, they do not cover all situations arising in
practice. The decisions and statements on principle of the
Council for Mass Media interpret and complement these guidelines.
Good practice also involves a journalist knowing the most
important laws, regulations, international greements and
resolutions related to his work.
Professional Status
1.Decisions concerning
the content of communications must be made on journalistic
grounds. In no way must this authority be relinquished outside
the editorial office.
2.A journalist is primarily
responsible to his readers, listeners and viewers. He should
not deal with subjects which might involve personal gain.
3.A journalist has the right
and obligation to reject pressure or inducement with which
someone might try to direct, prevent or limit communications.
4.A journalist must not
misuse his own position or that of his medium nor accept
benefits which might compromise his independence or his
possibility to operate in accordance with the principles
of his professional ethics.
5.A journalist must not
act against his own convictions or good journalistic practice.
He can refuse assignments which are inconsistent with this
principle.
6.Good practice must be
observed in using the work of another party. Although this
might not involve material with copyright protection, it
is good practice to mention the source when using information
acquired and published largely by a second party.
7.Textual advertising in
all its forms is to be avoided. Material which can be associated
with commercial interests should be viewed critically. Such
material can only be published if there are strong journalistic
arguments for this. The line between advertising and editorial
material must be kept clear.
Correct Information
8.In his work, a journalist
must aim at truthful, essential and unbiased information.
9.Sources of information
must be treated critically. This is particularly important
in dealing with a controversial matter: the information
source might have personal interests or the intention to
cause damage.
10.Factual information must
be checked as thoroughly as possible, including cases where
the information has been published previously.
11.The public must be provided
with the opportunity to distinguish facts from opinions
and fictional material used to provide background. This
principle does not restrict the choice of journalistic style
or form.
12.Headlines, leads, cover
and picture captions, sales-promotion posters for publications
and other presentation material must be justified by the
body of the story.
13.In addition, pictures
and sound must be used truthfully. The recipient must be
told whether the material is of a documentary or fictional
nature.
Acquiring Information
14.Information must be
acquired openly and by using honest means. Exceptional methods
can only be resorted to if information of general public
importance cannot be obtained by normal means.
15.A person being interviewed
must have the right to know in which medium and in what
connection his statements will be used. It is also good
practice to tell whether the conversation is intended for
publication or simply as background material.
16.If justified, a journalist
should comply with an interviewee's request to check his
statement before publication to ensure questions of fact
are correct. However, journalistic authority cannot be relinquished
outside the editorial office by such checking.
17.Sources of information
must be protected. The identity of a person providing confidential
information cannot be disclosed without permission. This
is also the case concerning the identity of a person employing
a pseudonym or pen name in the journalist's own medium.
Corrections and
right of replay
18.Incorrect information
must be corrected without delay, either on a journalist's
own initiative or when the person concerned requests it.
19.Someone subjected to
heavy criticism must be granted the right of reply if he
has grounds for requesting this. Simply a difference of
opinion does not necessarily give entitlement to the right
of reply.
20.If the request for a
right of reply is justified, the reply must be published
in a form desired by the person making the reply without
delay and in such a manner that those receiving the original
information can notice the reply easily.
21.If the reply is not
fit for publication as such, changes to it should be discussed
with the writer. If he cannot be contacted within a reasonable
time, it is advisable to publish the reply in amended form.
However, its essential contents must not be changed.
22.If a certain person
is strongly criticized in the medium, it is good journalistic
practice to make his point of view known when possible in
this connection.
Protection of the
individual
23.The human dignity and
reputation of every individual must be protected. Skin colour,
nationality, origins, religious or political convictions,
sex or other personal characteristics must not be published
if they are not related to the matter or in a derogatory
way.
24.Detrimental facts related
to the private life of a person or his family should not
be published unless these are of considerable public interest.
25.Care must be observed
in the publication of photographs. A picture cannot be used
in a misleading way or in connection with something offensive
to the party concerned. Particular care must be taken in
publishing pictures of victims of accidents or crime.
26.The publication of a
name or other identifying facts when dealing with crime
can only be justified on the grounds that considerable public
interest is served by this. The identity of a person should
generally not be disclosed before court proceedings unless
the nature of the crime or the position of the party concerned
provide strong reasons for that.
27.No prior assumption
of guilt should be made, nor should the decision of a court
or an authority be anticipated.
28.If a news item on the
report of an offence, arrest, imprisonment, charge or complaint
has been published, it is good journalistic practice to
follow the proceedings of the case right up to the final
resolution.
29.The principles covering
the protection of the individual also apply when information
contained in public documents or other public sources is
being used. The public availability of information does
not necessarily imply that it can be freely published.
Source: http://www.uta.fi/ethicnet/finland.html
France
CHARTER OF THE PROFESSIONAL DUTIES OF FRENCH JOURNALISTS
adopted by the National
Syndicate of French Journalists in 1918 and revised and
completed by the Syndicate in 1938.
A journalist worthy of the
name:
assumes responsibility
of all that he writes; considers the slander, unfounded
accusations, alteration of documents, distortion of facts,
and lying to be the most serious professional misconduct;
recognizes the jurisdiction of his colleagues as the only
one which is sovereign in matters of professional honour;
accepts only such assignments that are compatible with his
professional dignity; renounces to invoke an imaginary title
of quality, use disloyal means to get information or take
advantage of the good faith of anybody; does not receive
money in a public service or a private enterprise where
his status of journalist, his influence and his relations
may be made use of; does not sign articles of commercial
or financial advertising; does not commit any plagiarism;
does not claim the position held by another colleague nor
does cause him to be dismissed by offering to work under
inferior conditions; keeps the professional secrecy; does
not make use of the freedom of the press with profit-seeking
intentions; demands the freedom to honestly publish his
information; respects justice and gives it top priority;
does not confuse his role with a policeman's.
Source: http://www.uta.fi/ethicnet/france.html
Germany
PUBLICISTIC PRINCIPLES/PRESS CODE <Top>
Drawn up by the German Press
Council in collaboration with the press associations and
presented to Federal President Dr. Dr.Gustav W. Heinemann
on 12 December 1973 in Bonn. Last updated version of 23
February 1994.
Again updated in 1999 ( 4.2.).
The freedom of the press
guaranteed in the Basic Law of the Federal Republic of Germany
embraces independence and freedom of information, expression
of opinion and criticism. Publishers, editors and journalists
pursuing their profession must remain constantly aware of
their responsibility towards the general public and their
duty to uphold the prestige of the press.They must perform
their publicistic duties to the best of their ability and
belief and must not allow their work to be influenced by
personal interests or extraneous motives. These publicistic
principles are designed to preserve professional ethics;
they do not constitute grounds for legal liability.
ARTICLE 1
Respect for the truth and accurate informing of the general
public are the overriding principles of the press.
1.1.Exclusive agreements
Public information about
events or developments whose significance, import and implications
make them of general interest and vital for the formation
of political views and public opinion must not be restricted
or impeded by exclusive agreements with informants or measures
which screen such informants from the public domain. Anyone
seeking to monopolize information prevents other members
of the press acquiring important news and thus acts contrary
to the principle of the freedom of the information.
1.2. Election campaign
reporting
In the interests of journalistic
fairness, freedom of information for the public and equality
of opportunity for the democratic parties, newspapers and
magazines covering election campaigns should also publish
views which they do not share themselves. A similar policy
should be adopted towards advertising matter, which is also
covered by the fundamental precept of press freedom.
1.3. Press releases
Press releases issued by
government agencies, political parties, associations,organizations
or other representative bodies must be identified as such
if they are published unedited.
ARTICLE 2
News and information accepted for text or pictorial publication
mustbe checked for accuracy with all the thoroughness circumstances
permit.Its meaning must not be distorted of falsified by
editing, headings or captions. The content of documents
must be faithfully reproduced. Unconfirmed reports, rumours
and assumptions must be identifiable as such. Where a symbolic
photograph is published, it must be made clear in the caption
that it is not a documentary picture.
2.1.Opinion polls
The German Press Council
recommends that news agencies, newspapers and magazines
publishing findings by opinion poll institutes should indicate
the number of people interviewed, the dates on which the
poll was conducted and the identity of the poll's sponsor.
Where no sponsor is involved, reports should point out that
the data was collected at the instigation of the opinion
poll institute itself.
2.2. Symbolic photographs
A non-documentary illustration
- especially a photograph - which the casual reader might
mistake for a documentary illustration must be marked accordingly.
The following must therefore be clearly identified or described
in captions or accompanying text to ensure that they are
not misinterpreted even by a casual reader:
- substitute or indicative illustrations (same motif
on different occasion,different motif on same occasion,
etc)
- symbolic illustrations (reconstructed scenes, graphic
representations,artists' impressions of events described
in text etc.)
-photomontages or other alterations.
2.3. Advance reviews
Newspapers and magazines
publishing advance reviews which summarize the contents
of forthcoming publications and may be disseminated by news
agencies are legally and professionally responsible for
ensuring the accuracy of those reviews. Omissions or additions
must not distort the basic tenor of the previewed publication
or permit incorrect conclusions which could be detrimental
to the legitimate interests of third parties.
2.4. Interviews
An interview is always within
the bounds of journalistic propriety if it is authorized
by the interviewee or his proxy. Under circumstances of
exceptional time pressure, it is also acceptable for comments
to be published in unauthorized interview form as long as
interviewees are awareof the intention to publish the wording
or gist of their statements. Journalists should always identify
themselves as such. An interview orally or in written form
is not mere news material buta work protected by copyright,
especially if it contains critical appraisals or comments
which lend it a personal stamp. When such interviews are
reproduced in full or in part, the publishing newspaper
or magazine must indicate thesource. Even where the essence
of the thoughts expressed is paraphrased, journalistic propriety
requires that the source should be indicated.
Where interviews are announced in resume form, it must be
borne in mind that interviewees, as co-authors, are protected
against distortions or detractions which could jeopardise
their legitimate personal or copyright interests (see
also 2.3 and 11.4).
2.5. Release deadlines
Release deadlines postponing
the publication of specific news items are only justifiable
if they are in the interests of objective and accuratereporting.
Their observance is basically a matter for voluntary agreement
between informants and media. Release deadlines should only
be observed if there is a legitimate reason for doing so,
as in the case of the text of a speech which has not yet
been delivered, advance copies of corporate annual reports
or information about events scheduled for a future date
(meetings, resolutions, award ceremonies, etc.). Release
deadlines imposed for mere advertising purposes should not
be entertained.
2.6. Readers' letters
(1) Periodicals
should publish readers' letters - of appropriate form and
content - to give readers an opportunity to air their views
and help form public opinion. In this way, a newspaper can
promote discussion of its own editorial line, stimulate
public debate and foster personal initiative.
(2) Correspondance
addressed to publishers or editorial departments of a newspaper
or magazine can be published as readers' letters if it is
evident from the form and content that this is in accordance
with the sender's wishes. The sender's consent can be assumed
if a letter refers to articles published by the newspaper
or magazine concerned or to matters of general interest.
Readers have no legal right to have their letters published.
(3) It is both proper
and common practice to publish reader's names along with
their letters. By the very act of sending a letter, a reader
gives tacit consent to the publication of his or her name.
(4) Only in exceptional
cases can a different name be appended at the author's request.
(5) The obligation
of the press to take care not to publish material of punishable
content also applies to readers' letters. Under press laws,editors
are co-responsible for readers' letters which contain derogatory
allegations about identifiable third part.
(6) The publication
of fictitious readers' letters represents deception of the
public and is irreconcilable with the duty of the press.
If there is any doubt about the origin of the letter, it
is incumbent on the editor to check its authenticity.
(7) Where a reader's
letter contains factual claims about a third party,that
party is entitled under press law to reply to the allegations
in print.
(8) The right of
the press to refuse to give evidence also extends to the
writers of reader's letters. A reader's letter published
in a periodical is classified as editorial matter and privileges
its author to refuse to give evidence.
(9) The laws protecting
the general right of the individual basically prohibit the
alteration or abridgement of letters from named correspondents
without their consent. This also applies to letters which
do not bear an"individual stamp" and are thus
not protected by copyright. Letters can be shortened only
if the "Reader's Letters" column contains a standard
reference to the publisher's right to print letters in edited
form. If the author of a letter expressly forbids alteration
or abridgement, the editorial department addressed must
either comply with the writer's wishes or refuse publication
even if it has retained the edit reader's letters.
(10) All reader's
letters arriving on an editor's desk are to be treated as
confidential documents. Under no circumstances may they
be passed onto third parties.
ARTICLE 3
Published news reports or assertions subsequently found
to be incorrect must be promptly and appropriately corrected
by the publication concerned.
3.1.Editorial corrections
An editorial correction must draw the reader's attention
to the fact that the preceding report was wholly or partially
incorrect. It must therefore contain not only the correct
facts but also a reference to the incorrect report in question.
Publication of the correct facts is required even if the
error has already been publicly acknowledged elsewhere.
The duty to rectify an incorrect report lies with the editorial
department.This duty is not fulfilled by merely rompting
and publishing readers' letters.
ARTICLE 4
Dishonest methods must not be employed to acquire news,
information or pictures.
4.1. Research
Research is a legitimate
tool of publicistic work but must be conducted within the
bounds of the constitution, the law and respect for human
dignity.As a matter of principle, a researching journalist
who makes untruthful statements about his identity or the
identity of the publication he represents is guilty of conduct
incompatible with the dignity and role of the press.
Covert research can be justified in individual cases if
it brings to light information of special public interest
which could not be obtained by other means. In the case
of accidents and disasters, the press shall bear in mind
that rescue operations for victims and persons in
jeopardy take precedence over the public's right to be informed.
Nor does the public's interest in being informed justify
any unlawful acts committed by journalists to acquire news
material.
4.2. Research vis-à-vis
people requiring protection
When conducting research
vis-à-vis people requiring protection, particular
reticence shall be called for. In particular, this concern
people who are not in full possession of their mental or
physical powers or who have been exposed to an extreme emotional
situation, as well as children an young people. The limited
strength of mind or the special situation of these people
must not be deliberately exploited in order to gain information.
ARTICLE 5
As a general principle, confidentiality agreed at briefings
and background interviews must be observed.
5.1.Confidentiality
Where an informant agrees
to supply information for publication only on condition
that he or she remains unidentified and protected as a source,that
stipulation shall be respected. A bond of confidentiality
may only be broken where the information in question relates
to the planning of a criminal act, in which case the journalist
has a duty to report the matter to the authorities. Nor
need confidentiality be observed if, after careful consideration
of material and other interests, important reasons of state
are deemed predominant. This situation can arise, in particular,
if constitutional order is likely to be affected or endangered.
Reporting on plans and activities which are designated secret
is permissable if, after careful consideration, the need
to inform the public is found to outweigh the stated reasons
for secrecy. This does not, however, justify the committing
of unlawful acts to acquire information (see also 4.1).
ARTICLE 6
All members of the press shall maintain professional confidentiality,excercise
their right to refuse to give evidence and refrain from
disclosing the identity of informants without their explicit
consent.
6.1.Intelligence service
Any journalist or publisher
engaging in intelligence work damages the credibility of
the press and undermines the trust placed in the profession.
6.2.Separation of press
and government duties
If a journalist enters
the service of a government or government agency,all parties
should take care to ensure that his or her press and official
duties are kept strictly separate, especially where those
official duties relate to media activity. The same applies
to government officials who take up posts in journalism.
The clear separation - anchored in contracts of employment
- is needed to avoid any semblance of divided loyalties
or professional compromise which could damage the reputation
and credibility of the media.
ARTICLE 7
The responsibility of the press towards the general public
requires that editorial publications are not influenced
by the private and business interests of third parties or
by the personal commercial interests of journalists. Publisher
and editors must reject any attempts of this nature and
make a clear distinction between editorial texts and publications
for commercial reasons.
Advertising announcements, advertising photographs and advertising
drawings should be identifiable as such.
7.1. Separation of editorial
material and advertising matter
Advertisements resembling
editorial material must be printed in a script, position
and form which clearly distinguish them from the editorial
contents of a newspaper or magazine so that they are identifiable
as advertising even to the casual reader. They must be clearly
marked with the word "Advertisement". If the sponsor
is not clearly identified in the text of the advertisement,
his name must be published.
Source: The
Hoot .Org
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