TRUTHTO TELL YOU THE By Aidan White No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the publisher. The contents of this book are copyrighted and the rights to use of contributions rests with the author. Photo on page 85: Alan Johnston, a BBC journalist, is surrounded by Hamas fighters and other people after he was released in Gaza July 4, 2007. REUTERS/Suhaib Salem (GAZA) Author: Aidan White, IFJ General Secretary Design: Mary Schrider, [email protected] Printed by Druk. Hoeilaart, Belgium Published in Belgium by the International Federation of Journalists © 2008 International Federation of Journalists International Press Centre Residence Palace, Block C 155 rue de la Loi B - 1040 Brussels Belgium This book has been produced with the support of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Contents Foreword................................................................................................................................................................... i IFJ Declaration of Principles on the Conduct of Journalists ..................................................................................... ii The IFJ Code of Principles for the Conduct of Journalism: A Global Standard for Ethics .........................................iii Introduction.............................................................................................................................................................iv CHAPTER 1: Ethical Journalism Initiative Ethical Journalism Initiative: From Aspirations to Action ........................................................................................ 2 Towards an Ethical Environment: A Checklist ......................................................................................................... 5 A Campaign Agenda for Mission in Journalism ..................................................................................................... 14 CHAPTER 2: Why Ethics Matter Why Ethics Matter ................................................................................................................................................. 20 Many Media, One Ethical Tradition .......................................................................................................................28 Ethical Journalism for Testing Times .................................................................................................................... 39 CHAPTER 3: A Changing Media Landscape Media in Crisis: Managing Change Hurts ..............................................................................................................44 Uncertain Futures: Rights and Wrongs of Fearful Politics ..................................................................................... 55 Citizen Journalism?: It’s a Question of Quality ...................................................................................................... 64 Handout Journalism: Media Turn to Non-Profit Support to Fill Funding Gaps ........................................................ 70 CHAPTER 4: Subterfuge, War, Crime, Race, Intolerance Deceptive Handling of the Truth ............................................................................................................................76 The Ethical Choices When Media Go to War ...........................................................................................................81 Journalism in the Face of Intolerance and Racism ......................................................................................................94 CHAPTER 5: The Legal Minefield Protection of Sources ...................................................................................................................................................106 The Two-Edged Sword of Legal Protection ...........................................................................................................114 Freedom of Information .......................................................................................................................................119 Privacy and the Rights of Journalists .................................................................................................................. 122 The Law and Religion, Terrorism and Hate Speech .....................................................................................................127 Defamation ......................................................................................................................................................... 133 CHAPTER 6: Building Trust and Credibility Building Trust and Credibility ............................................................................................................................. 138 Calling Journalism to Account: Peer Review ........................................................................................................141 Gifts, Politics and Reporting Money: Avoiding Conflicts of Interest ..................................................................... 150 Glittering Prizes Quality Journalism on a Pedestal .............................................................................................. 152 Money, Money, Money: Journalism in Deficit ........................................................................................................ 154 Distorted Visions: Bias Keeps Women Out of Focus ...................................................................................................157 Children: Telling Stories that Show Respect ........................................................................................................161 Ethical Health Care Reporting .............................................................................................................................164 EPILOGUE: Time for a New Solidarity and Humanity in Journalism ......................................................................169 Appendices.......................................................................................................................................................... 171 Bibliography ........................................................................................................................................................180 Useful Links ........................................................................................................................................................ 182 Foreword Keeping the ethical flame alive crisis has engulfed media in Europe and America, inflicting profound changes on journal- ism. A generation of owners is slashing budgets, gutting newsrooms and closing foreign Abureaux, shrinking not only editorial departments but sections and stories. Many of them believe that ethical journalism and high standards are old fashioned notions long overtaken by financial and commercial objectives. Journalists need help and support to stand up to the pressures from those who want them to be servants of big business or of political masters. The remarkable thing is that in every coun- try and under every system, hundreds of thousands of journalists try to work to an ethical code, sometimes poorly articulated or understood, but based on a feeling that it is necessary to keep watch on those in power, to inform citizens and to act in the public interest. Newsrooms and media are complex organisations that depend on teamwork among profes- sionals. It is hardly possible for one journalist to be ‘ethical’ on their own without engaging with colleagues. Journalists who do not want to be mouthpieces for owners or political dogma, or other vested interests need the support of their colleagues. In particular, they need the collective support that is provided by trade unions of journalists. The Ethical Journalism Initiative outlined in this book provides support for journalists who are keeping an ethical flame alive in the profession. In these pages are many warnings about the dangers. There is also encouragement for those who are ready to stand up for journalism and confirmation, in the age of convergence of traditional and new media, that the act of journalism as a public good will not survive on any platform without commitment to ethics and values. Jim Boumelha President, International Federation of Journalists INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF JOUNALISTS i IFJ Declaration of Principles on the Conduct of Journalists (Adopted by 1954 World Congress of the International Federation of Journalists. Amended by the 1986 World Congress.) This international Declaration is proclaimed as a standard of professional conduct for journalists engaged in gathering, transmitting, disseminating and commenting on news and information in describing events. 1 Respect for truth and for the right of the public to truth is the first duty of the journalist. 2 In pursuance of this duty, the journalist shall at all times defend the principles of freedom in the honest collection and publication of news, and of the right of fair comment and criticism. 3 The journalist shall report only in accordance with facts of which he/she knows the origin. The journalist shall not suppress essential information or falsify documents. 4 The journalist shall use only fair methods to obtain news, photographs and documents. 5 The journalist shall do the utmost to rectify any published information which is found to be harmfully inaccurate. 6 The journalist shall observe professional secrecy regarding the source of information obtained in confidence. 7 The journalist