Here are some of the recommendations from the parallel session on ethical journalism.
1 / establishing a website where journalists can post examples of what they regard as unethical journalism, and allow journalists to debate on what they believe is ethical and what is not. A suggestion was that a section of the global intermedia dialogue website should be set up for this purpose.
2/ Giving local views and feedback from different parts of the world to the Ethical Journalism Initiative, a copy of which was distributed among participants of Global intermedia dialogue. Ideas can be sent to the International Federation of Journalists, represented by its Secretary General, who said they will formulate recommendations and send it to media practitioners and associations around the world.
3/ For the next meeting in Indonesia, participants should be encouraged to send in advance case studies on what is regarded ethical/unethical journalism in their respective countries should be sent in advance to all participants.
There were several opposing views on objectivity, whether it is possible for journalists to be objective at all. There were opinions on self censorship being an ethical activity, with views opposing this notion. Another idea was that mistrusting the media, and debating its objectivity is a good sign, whereas trusting it is not necessarily a good sign.
Individuality of journalists was also highlighted, as every journalist have certain perceptions based on their cultural and personal values and ethics. The most important thing is to be honest, accurate, and credible.
Many relevant topics such as citizen journalism reporting of conflict zones, and how the lack of a professional ethical code for this type of journalism affects the quality of reporting.
This led to a debate on whether professional journalists are defined by affiliation to institutions, abiding by certain professional ethical codes. There was an agreement on the importance of the interdependence relationship between bloggers and journalists in reporting conflicts.
Other ideas were:
Peace journalism
Objectivism and honesty
Do journalists need an ethical code
Recommendations
The notion of discussion of ethical journalism in hostile is inappropriate, we need to create security for the journalists.
Creating a website, creating dialogue between different groups of journalists.
Pro-activity through networking and international and local institutions to protect journalists
Questioning the role of embedded journalists and their credibility
Local areas /shouldn’t be a top-down thing based to improve and explain ethical standards
How everything has a double-morale of the media
There’s no such thing as an ethical standard
Self censorship is ethical
Use of anonymous sources
Idea of ombudsman / the role of the individual journalists…
What\s objective for some is subjective for others
Striving for accuracy, honest reporting
A lot of cultural differences on objectivity
Self-regulation, individuality
Accountability – accuracy – credibility
Case studies from different countries – would lead to better dialogue next meeting, in advance / global inter-media website
Mistrusting the media is better than trusting the media…
International human rights laws are only in international institutions...
Presented by Mr. Rami Abdelrahman