INTERNATIONAL DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES OF PROFESSIONAL ETHICS IN JOURNALISM

ORBISO, CHRISTIANNE ERIC T. BS DEVELOPMENT COMMUNICATION 2- A

INTERNATIONAL DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES OF PROFESSIONAL ETHICS IN JOURNALISM
(Philippines Media Ethics)
Principle I:
PEOPLE’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 PERSONAL INTEGRITY
The social role of the journalist demands that the profession maintains 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 to correction or rectification and the right to 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 fro 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 system. 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 of, or incitement to, wars of aggression and the arms race, specially in nuclear weapons, and all other forms of violence, hatred and discrimination, specially racialism and apartheid, oppression by tyrannical regimes, colonialism and neocolonialism, as well as other evils which afflict humanity, such as poverty, malnutrition and diseases. By doing so, the journalist can help eliminate ignorance and understanding among peoples, make nationals of a country sensitive to the needs and desires of others, ensure 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 international information order in particular. This new order, understood as an integral part of the New International Economic Order, is aimed at 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.



Journalist’s Code of Ethics (Philippines)
Formulated by Philippine Press Institute and National Press Club
1. I shall scrupulously report and interpret the news, taking care not to suppress essential facts or to distort the truth by omission or improper emphasis. I recognise the duty to air the other side and the duty to correct substantive errors promptly.
2. I shall not violate confidential information or material given me in the exercise of my calling.
3. I shall resort only to fair and honest methods in my effort to obtain news, photographs and/or documents, and shall properly identify myself as a representative of the press when obtaining any personal interview intended for publication.
4. I shall refrain from writing reports which will adversely affect a private reputation unless the public interest justifies it. At the same time, I shall fight vigorously for public access to information.
5. I shall not let personal motives or interests influence me in the performance of my duties; nor shall I accept or offer any present, gift or other consideration of a nature which may cast doubt on my professional integrity.
6. I shall not commit any act of plagiarism.
7. I shall not in any manner ridicule, cast aspersions on, or degrade any person by reason of sex, creed, religious belief, political conviction, cultural and ethnic origin.
8. I shall presume persons accused of crime of being innocent until proven otherwise. I shall exercise caution in publishing names of minors and women involved in criminal cases so that they may not unjustly lose their standing in society.
9. I shall not take unfair advantage of fellow journalists.
10. I shall accept only such tasks as are compatible with the integrity and dignity of my profession, invoking the ‘conscience clause’ when duties imposed on me conflict with the voice of my conscience.
11. I shall comport myself in public or while performing my duties as journalist in such manner as to maintain the dignity of my profession. When in doubt, decency should be my watch word.

SOURCES:
The book “Press Freedom: The People’s Right” by Ed Aurelio C. Reyes, pp. 161-165
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