Preamble

The first standard, by which journalists must abide when conducting their work, is the right of the public to be informed. Public enlightenment is the foundation of the proper functioning of modern societies and a prerequisite for the proper functioning of democratic systems. In order to ensure the right of the public to be informed, journalists must always defend the principles of freedom of gathering and publishing information and the right to express opinions. Journalists must present a thorough account of events and conduct their work in a precise and conscientious manner, while respecting the rights of others. Work conducted in such a manner is the cornerstone of journalistic credibility. This code applies to text, photography, video and audio.

Journalistic Work

1. The journalist should check the accuracy of collected information and be careful not to make mistakes. In the event that he/she makes a mistake – however unintentionally – he/she should admit it and correct it.
2. When publishing information involving serious accusations, the journalist should try to get feedback from the accused parties.
3. When publishing unconfirmed information or speculation, the journalist should expressly point out the fact.
4. The journalist should state the source of information whenever possible. The public has the right to know the source, if it is to estimate the significance and credibility of information properly. If information cannot be acquired otherwise, the journalist may consent to keep the source anonymous.
5. The journalist may refuse to bear witness if that involves disclosure of the source.
6. The journalist should avoid paying for information and be wary of sources expecting money or privilege in exchange for information.
7. The journalist may not omit important information he/she has collected, or falsify documents.
8. Montages, announcements, headlines and subheads should not falsely represent the content. Symbolic and archival video should be labelled accordingly.
9. Plagiarism is inadmissible.
10. The journalist should avoid forbidden methods of collecting information. If information of great public significance cannot be acquired otherwise, the journalist should explain his/her actions to the public.
11. The journalist should separate comments from information. The separation of factual accounts from comments should be clear.
12. If the journalist is involved in events that he/she is reporting, he/she must disclose the fact, or remove himself/herself as a journalist.

Conflicts of Interest

1. Interweaving or combining of journalistic and advertising texts and actions is not permissible.
2. Advertising messages, paid announcements and commercials should be clearly and unambiguously separated from journalistic texts. If there is any possibility of misunderstanding, advertisements should be unambiguously labelled as such. Hybrids between advertising and journalistic content are inadmissible.
3. The journalist should avoid situations, which might lead to conflicts of interest, real or perceived, and which might cause him/her to compromise his/her good name or that of the journalistic community.
4. For the journalist to avoid real or perceived conflicts of interest, he/she should refuse gifts, favours, fees, free travel and special treatment, and shun secondary employment, political involvement, public office and service in community organisations, if this might lessen his/her credibility or that of the journalistic community.
5. The journalist may not misuse information about financial events on which he/she is reporting, in order to further his/her personal interest. If he/she is trading in stocks, on which he/she is reporting, he/she should disclose this to the public.

1. The journalist must refuse advantages offered to him/her by advertisers or interest groups, and resist their attempts to influence his/her reporting.
2. The journalist should disclose unavoidable conflicts of interest to the public, or remove himself/herself from reporting and commenting on them.

General Ethical Norms

1. The journalist should respect an individual’s right to privacy and avoid sensationalistic and unjustified disclosure of an individual’s private sphere to the public. Infringement upon an individual’s private sphere is only permissible on the basis of public interest. The public’s right to being informed widens in reporting on public figures and those seeking power, influence and attention. The journalist should be aware of the possibility, that by collecting and publishing information and photographs, he might harm individuals not accustomed to media and public attention.
2. When reporting on judicial matters, the journalist should take into account that no one is guilty until legally found so. The journalist should exercise caution in publishing names and photographs of perpetrators, victims and their families, when reporting on accidents and pre-penal proceedings.
3. The journalist should exercise special consideration in collecting information and reporting about, publishing photographs of, and transmitting statements on, children and minors, those who have suffered misfortune or family tragedy, the physically or psychologically impaired, and others with severe handicaps or ailments.
4. The journalist should avoid stereotyping based on race, sex, age, religion, ethnicity, geographical origin, sexual orientation, invalidity, physical appearance and social status. Sexual, ethnic, religious, social and nationality-based discrimination is inadmissible, as well as offences against religious feelings and customs, and inciting friction between nationalities.

Rights of Journalists and Accountability to the Public

1. The journalist has the right to turn down any assignment that violates this code or his/her convictions.
2. No one is allowed to alter or rework the content submitted by the journalist without his/her consent. The journalist has the right to sign the content that he/she submits. He/she may not be signed without his/her knowledge or against his/her will.
3. Should the journalist be invited to an Honorary Tribunal session, he/she must attend and abide by the Tribunal’s rulings. Concerning his/her professional conduct, the only judgement the journalist recognises as competent is that of his professional colleagues.
4. The journalist is obliged to abide by the same standards as those to which he/she holds others.

Last updated on 29.10.2018. Source: Accountable Journalism