World Press Freedom Day 2018

INTERACTION PROGRAM ON
"PRINCIPLES OF ETHICAL JOURNALISM"
WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY
3rd MAY 2018
ORGANIZER
FACULTY OF HUMANITIES
DARCHULA MULTIPLE CAMPUS

PRINCIPLES OF ETHICAL JOURNALISM
(Source: Society of Professional Journalists/UNESCO)
Presented by:
Dammar Singh Saud
Assistant Professor
Darchula Multiple Campus

Every year, 3 May is a date which celebrates
the fundamental principles of press freedom,
to evaluate press freedom around the world,
to defend the media from attacks on their
independence and to pay tribute to
journalists who have lost their lives in the
exercise of their profession.

World Press Freedom Day (3 May) was proclaimed by
the UN General Assembly in December 1993
following a Recommendation adopted at the
twenty-sixth session of UNESCO's General
Conference in 1991. This in turn was a response to a
call by African journalists who in 1991 produced the
landmark Windhoek Declaration on media pluralism
and independence.

It serves as an occasion to inform citizens of
violations of press freedom - a reminder that
in dozens of countries around the world,
publications are censored, fined, suspended
and closed down, while journalists, editors
and publishers are harassed, attacked,
detained and even murdered. It is a date to
encourage and develop initiatives in favor of
press freedom, and to assess the state of
press freedom worldwide.

3 May also acts as a reminder to governments of the
need to respect their commitment to press freedom
and is also a day of reflection among media
professionals about issues of press freedom and
professional ethics. Just as importantly, World Press
Freedom Day is a day of support for media which
are targets for the restraint, or abolition, of press
freedom. It is also a day of remembrance for those
journalists who lost their lives in the pursuit of a
story.

In 2018, UNESCO will lead the 25th celebration
of World Press Freedom Day. The main event,
jointly organized by UNESCO and the Government of
the Republic of Ghana, will take place in Accra,
Ghana on 2 – 3 May. This year’s global theme is
‘Keeping Power in Check: Media, Justice and The
Rule of Law’, and will cover issues of media and
the transparency of the political process, the
independence and media literacy of the judicial
system, and the accountability of state institutions
towards the public. The Day will also examine
contemporary challenges of ensuring press freedom
online.

 Freedom of Expression" (Article 19 of the 1948
Universal Declaration of Human Rights)
 "Full Freedom of Press" (Preamble of Constitution of
Nepal 2072)
 "Freedom of Opinion and Expression" (Article 17 'Right
to Freedom' (a) of Constitution of Nepal 2072)
 "Right to Communication" ( Article 19 of Constitution
of Nepal 2072)

"On World Press Freedom Day 2018, I
call on governments to strengthen press
freedom, and to protect journalists.
Promoting a free press is standing up for
our right to truth." — António Guterres,
United Nations Secretary-General

PREAMBLE
Professional Journalists believe that
public enlightenment is the forerunner
of justice and the foundation of
democracy. Ethical journalism strives
to ensure the free exchange of
information that is accurate, fair and
thorough. An ethical journalist acts
with integrity.

Principles of Ethical Journalism
The professional journalists declare these four
principles as the foundation of ethical journalism
and encourages their use in its practice by all
people in all media.
 SEEK TRUTH AND REPORT IT
 MINIMIZE HARM
 ACT INDEPENDENTLY
 BE ACCOUNTABLE AND TRANSPARENT

SEEK TRUTH AND REPORT IT
Ethical journalism should be accurate and fair.
Journalists should be honest and courageous in
gathering, reporting and interpreting information.
Journalists should:
 Take responsibility for the accuracy of their
work. Verify information before releasing it. Use
original sources whenever possible.
 Remember that neither speed nor format excuses
inaccuracy.

 Provide context. Take special care not to
misrepresent or oversimplify in promoting,
previewing or summarizing a story.
 Gather, update and correct information
throughout the life of a news story.
 Be cautious when making promises, but keep the
promises they make.
 Identify sources clearly. The public is entitled to
as much information as possible to judge the
reliability and motivations of sources.

 Consider sources’ motives before promising anonymity.
Reserve anonymity for sources who may face danger,
retribution or other harm, and have information that
cannot be obtained elsewhere. Explain why anonymity
was granted.
 Diligently seek subjects of news coverage to allow them to
respond to criticism or allegations of wrongdoing.
 Avoid undercover or other surreptitious methods of
gathering information unless traditional, open methods
will not yield information vital to the public.
 Be vigilant and courageous about holding those with
power accountable. Give voice to the voiceless.

 Support the open and civil exchange of views, even views
they find repugnant.
 Recognize a special obligation to serve as watchdogs over
public affairs and government. Seek to ensure that the
public’s business is conducted in the open, and that public
records are open to all.
 Provide access to source material when it is relevant and
appropriate.
 Boldly tell the story of the diversity and magnitude of the
human experience. Seek sources whose voices we seldom
hear.

 Avoid stereotyping. Journalists should
examine the ways their values and
experiences may shape their reporting.
 Label advocacy and commentary.
 Never deliberately distort facts or context,
including visual information. Clearly label
illustrations and re-enactments.
 Never plagiarize. Always attribute.

MINIMIZE HARM
Ethical journalism treats sources, subjects, colleagues and
members of the public as human beings deserving of
respect.
Journalists should:
 Balance the public’s need for information against
potential harm or discomfort. Pursuit of the news is not a
license for arrogance or undue intrusiveness.
 Show compassion for those who may be affected by news
coverage. Use heightened sensitivity when dealing with
juveniles, victims of sex crimes, and sources or subjects
who are inexperienced or unable to give consent. Consider
cultural differences in approach and treatment.

MINIMIZE HARM
 Recognize that legal access to information differs
from an ethical justification to publish or
broadcast.
 Realize that private people have a greater right to
control information about themselves than public
figures and others who seek power, influence or
attention. Weigh the consequences of publishing
or broadcasting personal information.
 Avoid pandering to lurid curiosity, even if others
do.

MINIMIZE HARM
 Balance a suspect’s right to a fair trial with
the public’s right to know. Consider the
implications of identifying criminal suspects
before they face legal charges.
 Consider the long-term implications of the
extended reach and permanence of
publication. Provide updated and more
complete information as appropriate.

ACT INDEPENDENTLY
The highest and primary obligation of ethical
journalism is to serve the public.
Journalists should:
 Avoid conflicts of interest, real or perceived.
Disclose unavoidable conflicts.
 Refuse gifts, favors, fees, free travel and special
treatment, and avoid political and other outside
activities that may compromise integrity or
impartiality, or may damage credibility.

ACT INDEPENDENTLY
 Be wary of sources offering information for favors
or money; do not pay for access to news. Identify
content provided by outside sources, whether
paid or not.
 Deny favored treatment to advertisers, donors or
any other special interests, and resist internal and
external pressure to influence coverage.
 Distinguish news from advertising and shun
hybrids that blur the lines between the two.
Prominently label sponsored content.

BE ACCOUNTABLE AND TRANSPARENT
Ethical journalism means taking responsibility for
one’s work and explaining one’s decisions to the
public.
Journalists should:
 Explain ethical choices and processes to
audiences. Encourage a civil dialogue with the
public about journalistic practices, coverage and
news content.
 Respond quickly to questions about accuracy,
clarity and fairness.

BE ACCOUNTABLE AND TRANSPARENT
 Acknowledge mistakes and correct them promptly
and prominently. Explain corrections and
clarifications carefully and clearly.
 Expose unethical conduct in journalism, including
within their organizations.
 Abide by the same high standards they expect of
others.

World Press Freedom Day 2018

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