Journalists agree to adopt a code of ethics
WHAT? There was no such thing before? how amazing? How short-sighted!
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By Kaleyesus Bekele
Journalists attending the workshop agree to adopt a code of ethics.
Journalists working in the local private and the state media yesterday agreed to establish a press club. At a two-day symposium on the role of the media and journalists in the development of a democratic and journalists in the development of a democratic and prosperous state jointly organized by the Horn of Africa Press Institute (HAPI) and Action Aid Ethiopia at the Global Hotel, over 55 journalists drawn from the state media and private newspapers deliberated on the problems of the local media and the role the media is supposed to play in the development of the country. Guest speakers (media professionals and legal expert) made presentations in the symposium.
After discussing the problems noted in producing stories both in the private and the state media, the journalists arrived at a general consensus to rectify the failers in practicing journalism and to promote ethical journalism. Accordingly, the journalists agreed to establish a press club and formulate code of conduct. At the end of the symposium, the journalists established an ad hock committee comprising five journalists from the state and private media.
The journalists agreed that the ad hock committee will work with all the stakeholders in establishing a press and editors club. The committee will create a forum where journalists working for the state and private media will confer on the establishment of the press and editors club. It will also discuss how to draft a code of ethics with reporters, editors and other stakeholders. The participants agreed that the establishment of the press club and the adoption of a code of ethics would enable them to improve their careers.
In the course of the meeting the journalists emphasized that the roles of the media were informing, mobilizing, organizing, entertaining and promoting a national vision. It was agreed that some of these terms needed definition within the context of the press law as well as the journalists' code of ethics. It was also agreed that given Ethiopia's national vision is to eradicate poverty, the goal of the media is to aid the process of democratization in the country.
It was appreciated that above all media professionals needed to know that their first responsibility and loyalty lied to the public and in that regard the professionals should present views as accurately, timely and fairly possible so that the public can make an informed decision. It was also noted that there was a change in government tolerance of the media in the wake of the May 2005 elections. The tense and confrontational relationship between the government and the media was also discussed.
Lack of awareness on regulations and ethical responsibilities, misinterpretation and self censorship were some of the problems the journalists identified. On the part of the government, lack of transparency, denial of access to information, discriminating between the private and the state media were some of the problems identified by the journalists. The journalists proposed that trainings that focus on press freedom should be offered to police officials, public relation officers and law makers. They also underscored the need to regularly meet and confer on issues related to enhancing the capacity of the media.
http://www.ethiopianreporter.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=3807
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By Kaleyesus Bekele
Journalists attending the workshop agree to adopt a code of ethics.
Journalists working in the local private and the state media yesterday agreed to establish a press club. At a two-day symposium on the role of the media and journalists in the development of a democratic and journalists in the development of a democratic and prosperous state jointly organized by the Horn of Africa Press Institute (HAPI) and Action Aid Ethiopia at the Global Hotel, over 55 journalists drawn from the state media and private newspapers deliberated on the problems of the local media and the role the media is supposed to play in the development of the country. Guest speakers (media professionals and legal expert) made presentations in the symposium.
After discussing the problems noted in producing stories both in the private and the state media, the journalists arrived at a general consensus to rectify the failers in practicing journalism and to promote ethical journalism. Accordingly, the journalists agreed to establish a press club and formulate code of conduct. At the end of the symposium, the journalists established an ad hock committee comprising five journalists from the state and private media.
The journalists agreed that the ad hock committee will work with all the stakeholders in establishing a press and editors club. The committee will create a forum where journalists working for the state and private media will confer on the establishment of the press and editors club. It will also discuss how to draft a code of ethics with reporters, editors and other stakeholders. The participants agreed that the establishment of the press club and the adoption of a code of ethics would enable them to improve their careers.
In the course of the meeting the journalists emphasized that the roles of the media were informing, mobilizing, organizing, entertaining and promoting a national vision. It was agreed that some of these terms needed definition within the context of the press law as well as the journalists' code of ethics. It was also agreed that given Ethiopia's national vision is to eradicate poverty, the goal of the media is to aid the process of democratization in the country.
It was appreciated that above all media professionals needed to know that their first responsibility and loyalty lied to the public and in that regard the professionals should present views as accurately, timely and fairly possible so that the public can make an informed decision. It was also noted that there was a change in government tolerance of the media in the wake of the May 2005 elections. The tense and confrontational relationship between the government and the media was also discussed.
Lack of awareness on regulations and ethical responsibilities, misinterpretation and self censorship were some of the problems the journalists identified. On the part of the government, lack of transparency, denial of access to information, discriminating between the private and the state media were some of the problems identified by the journalists. The journalists proposed that trainings that focus on press freedom should be offered to police officials, public relation officers and law makers. They also underscored the need to regularly meet and confer on issues related to enhancing the capacity of the media.
http://www.ethiopianreporter.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=3807
posted by Mechachal yichalal at 7:08 PM
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