Declaration of the Duties and Rights of a Journalist

Country: Switzerland

Preface

1. To seek out the truth, in the interests of the public’s right to know, whatever the consequences to him- or herself.
2. To defend freedom of information, freedom of commentary and criticism, and the independence and dignity of the journalistic profession.
3. Not to publish information, documents, images or sound recordings of which the origin is unknown to the journalist. Not to suppress information or any essential elements of a story. Not to misrepresent any text, document, image or sound recording, nor people’s expressed opinions. If information is unconfirmed to clearly say so. To indicate when photo- graphic and/or sound material has been combined to make a montage.
4. Not to use dishonest methods to obtain information, recordings, images or documents. Not to manipulate them, or have them manipulated by a third party with a view to falsification. To prohibit plagiarism in not passing off the work or ideas of others as one’s own.
5. To rectify any published information that is revealed to be factually incorrect.
6. To respect professional secrecy and not reveal the source of any information obtained in confidence.
7. To respect peoples’ privacy in so far as the public interest does not demand otherwise. To disregard anonymous or unfounded accusations.
8. In respecting human dignity, the journalist must avoid any allusion by text, image or sound to a person’s ethnic or national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation as well as to any illness or physical or mental handicap that could be discriminatory in character. The reporting of war, acts of terrorism, accidents and catastrophes by means of text, image and sound should respect the victims’ suffering and the feelings of their loved ones.
9. Not to accept any advantage nor any promise that could limit his or her profes- sional independence or expression of opinion.
10. To avoid as journalists any form of commercial advertising; and never to accept conditions laid down by advertisers directly or indirectly.
11. To take journalistic directives only from designated editorial superiors; and to respect those directives only when they are not contrary to this declaration.

Declaration of Rights of a Journalist

1. Free access to all sources of information and the right to investigate without impediment anything that is in the public interest. Public or private confidentiality can only be invoked against the journalist in exceptional circumstances and with the provision of clearly-defined reasons.
2. The right not to act in any way nor express any opinion that is contrary to professional rules or personal conscience. As a result, journalists should not suffer any prejudice.
3. The right to refuse any directive or interference that is contrary to the general policy of the organisation with which he or she is collaborating. This policy must be communicated in writing before the journalist’s employment. It cannot be modified or revoked unilaterally under pain of breach of contract.
4. The right to transparency as to the ownership of the company for which the journalist works. The right of a member of an editorial team to be informed in time, and to be heard before, any decision that affects the future of the company. In particular, members of the editorial staff must be informed and heard before final decisions determining the com- position or organisation of the editorial department.
5. The right to adequate and continuous professional training.
6. The right to benefit from work conditions guaranteed by a collective agreement, including the right to be active in professional organisations without suffering discrimination.
7. The right to benefit from an individual employment contract guaranteeing material and moral security. In particular, an appropriate remuneration – corresponding to the journalist’s function, responsibilities and social role – should ensure his or her economic independence.