Code of ethics for public media and journalists

Statement of Commitment All journalists and media organizations subscribing to this Code of Ethics commit to upholding the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and responsibility in journalism. This commitment extends to ensuring truthfulness, independence, and accountability in serving the public interest.

Article 1: General Provisions This Code of Ethics lays out the fundamental ethical principles and professional standards applicable to journalists and public media organizations. It serves as a guideline to ensure responsible, transparent, and high-quality journalism in the public interest. All media professionals and organizations are expected to adhere to this Code in their daily work.

Article 2: Fundamental Principles of Journalism Journalists and media organizations must uphold the following principles:

• Truth and Accuracy: Journalists have a duty to seek truth and report it accurately, ensuring that all information is verified from reliable sources.
• Independence: Journalists must maintain editorial independence and avoid any conflicts of interest that may compromise their impartiality.
• Impartiality and Fairness: Journalists must ensure that their reporting remains balanced and fair, providing diverse perspectives on issues.
• Respect for Human Dignity: Journalists must respect the rights and dignity of individuals, avoiding harm to subjects of their reporting.
• Accountability and Transparency: Media organizations and journalists must correct errors promptly and remain accountable to the public.

Article 3: Duties and Responsibilities of Journalists Journalists are obligated to:

1. Verify the reliability and authenticity of their sources before publishing information.
2. Protect the anonymity and confidentiality of whistleblowers and sources where necessary.
3. Respect intellectual property rights and avoid plagiarism.
4. Clearly distinguish between factual reporting, opinion, and commentary.
5. Refrain from publishing or promoting hate speech, discrimination, and incitement to violence.

Article 4: Responsibilities of Public Media Public media organizations must:

1. Provide accurate, comprehensive, and objective news coverage that serves the public good.
2. Ensure transparency and accessibility of information for the general public.
3. Maintain editorial independence from political and commercial pressures.
4. Foster investigative journalism and uphold the principles of freedom of expression.

Article 5: Compliance and Enforcement

1. Violations of this Code of Ethics shall be subject to review by an independent ethics committee.
2. The ethics committee shall assess the severity and nature of any breach and issue recommendations, warnings, or require public apologies where necessary.
3. In cases of severe violations, matters may be escalated to relevant regulatory bodies or journalistic associations.
4. Media organizations must establish internal mechanisms to monitor compliance with this Code and ensure ongoing training for journalists on ethical standards.

Article 6: Protection of Sources and Digital Security

1. Journalists must ensure the confidentiality and security of sources, especially in cases where disclosure may put them at risk.
2. Media organizations must implement secure communication channels and digital safety measures to protect sensitive information.
3. Any attempt to force journalists to reveal their sources must be resisted unless mandated by law under exceptional circumstances, such as imminent threats to public safety.

Article 7: Handling Complaints and Sanctions

1. Members of the public and affected parties have the right to file complaints regarding journalistic misconduct.
2. Complaints shall be reviewed by an independent ethics committee, which will determine appropriate actions, including corrections, public apologies, or disciplinary measures.
3. Repeated violations of this Code may lead to sanctions, such as loss of press accreditation or exclusion from professional journalistic organizations.
4. Media organizations should establish transparent procedures for handling complaints and encourage constructive dialogue with the public.

Article 8: What Does Not Constitute Censorship

1. When a specific topic is not reported on because it is not in the public interest.
2. When the frequency of information is unbalanced relative to the public interest and the significance of a particular topic.
3. When a report or article is not balanced with opposing views, in cases involving verified facts or expert findings.
4. When the editorial team rejects the publication of content that does not meet editorial standards or ethical guidelines.
5. When content is removed or modified due to verified inaccuracies, legal requirements, or ethical reasons.
6. When a media outlet is specialized in a specific topic and therefore covers only selected content.

Article 9: Determining Public Interest

1. Public interest is determined by independent institutions, such as media regulatory bodies, journalistic associations, and research institutions.
2. The criteria for public interest are based on social significance, impact on public safety, health, citizens’ rights, and other key aspects of the common good.
3. The criteria are established based on legislation, ethical standards, and professional guidelines, and are adapted according to societal circumstances.
4. Media must consider transparency, expert judgment, and accountability to the public when determining public interest.

Article 10: Transparency of Funding and Ownership Interests

1. Media organizations must publicly disclose their sources of funding, including donations, advertising revenue, and government subsidies.
2. Owners and editors of media organizations must disclose any financial, political, or business interests that could influence editorial independence.
3. If journalistic content is based on sponsorship or is funded by external entities, this must be clearly labeled.
4. Readers and viewers must have access to information about the ownership structure of the media outlet and its connections to interest groups