Ethical Journalism Network

Ethical Journalism Network

Building Trust In aNew World Of Information

Aidan Whiteaidanpatrickwhite@gmail.com

Who we are

A coalition of media professional groups from Europe and around the world

committed to building trust in media and promoting principles of ethical journalism, good governance and self-regulation in the

digital age

www.ethicaljournalismnetwork.org

Human Beings are Ethical Animals

Society is based on respect for rights. These rights are agreed international standards.

• Universal Declaration of Human Rights

• Convention on Civil and Political Rights

• Regional Human Rights Instruments

Ethics and JournalismJournalism’s conventions and standards are set out in codes. There are more than 400 codes agreed at national and global level. http://rjionline.org/AS-Codes-of-Ethics

Ethical Journalism is not Free Expression

• Journalism is not free speech, it is constrained expression.• It works in a framework of

values. • It has purpose. • It is a public good.

Values That ConstrainEthics: truth, independence, impartiality, humanity and accountability

Other Constraints:Internet, Changing Industry,Political and social challenges:Hate Speech and intolerance

Hate speech and the Rush to Publish

Islamophobia on the MarchA media image: wild-eyed men in the Muslim world raging over the infamous Innocence of Muslims Film in 2012. Did this reflect a widespread anger within the Islamic community worldwide? According to an EJN review it did not.

How do we find balancebetween image andreality in the world ofopen information?

Tell the Story in ContextTruth, Independence, Impartiality, Humanity and AccountabilityAvoid a Rush to PublishBe TransparentBe Accountable

Audience and Media in Partnership

• Rethinking Acts of Journalism• Rebuild Ethical Base of Journalism• Industry Commitment to change• Good Governance, Self-regulation• Leadership from within journalism• Partnership with the audience

Principles of self-regulation

1. Internal – Company Level• Mission statement, Code of Conduct• Good governance and transparency• Respond to concerns and complaints

2. External – National Structures• Industry-wide system of self-regulation• Politically independent• Mix of professional and public representation

EJN at Work Pakistan: Ethical Audits and tolerance. www.pakmediaethics.orgEgypt: Self-regulation and SolidarityIndonesia: Model Press Councils for AsiaAfrica: Focus on Hate SpeechEurope: Pluralism and Media Rights Studies: Does self-regulation work? Paid journalism.Setting Standards for Online Journalism.

Build Trust