THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNALISTS' NETWORK
October 25, 2004
BULGARIAN PUBLISHERS AGREE TO NEW CODE OF PRACTICE
The Bulgarian Union of Publishers has adopted a new code
of practice with help from a U.K.-based media ethics group.
MediaWise, formerly known as PressWise,
helped the union develop the code as part of a European Union project run by the
BBC World Service Trust to enhance professional media standards in Bulgaria.
The code includes 30 clauses in five
sections that deal with providing information to the public, the collection and
presentation of information, editorial independence, relations between the
media, and the public interest. One clause allows journalists to refuse
assignments that might break with the code. Others guarantee the public's "right
of reply," protect personal privacy and discourage sensational coverage of crime
and violence.
A copy of the code is available via
IJNet at
http://www.ijnet.org/FE_Article/codeethics.asp?UILang=1&CId=249495.
"The Code seeks to address the needs of
journalists and the public as well as the publishers," says MediaWise director
Mike Jempson. "It was built around discussions about the problems faced by
journalists and the public's desire to receive reliable information, and to know
that mistakes will be corrected and human dignity will be respected by the
media."
Bulgarian broadcasters are expected to
adopt the code later in 2004.
MediaWise:
http://www.presswise.org.uk/display_page.php?id=814.
source: IJNet 280
published by: Daniela Mathis dma@medienhilfe.ch
date of release on this site 27/10/04
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