Ethics of the Journalism Profession

The "Global Declaration of Journalism Ethics" was adopted at the 30th General Congress of the International Federation of Journalists held in Tunisia on June 12, 2019. This declaration is a revised version of the "Declaration of Principles of the International Federation of Journalists on the Practice of Journalism" adopted in 1954, known as the "Bordeaux Declaration".

This declaration is based on foundational texts in international law, particularly the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It consists of a preamble and 16 articles that encompass the duties and rights of journalists relating to the ethics of the profession.

The affirmation of "Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights" regarding the right of all people to access information and ideas is considered a fundamental pillar of the professional mission of journalists. The journalist's responsibility to the public takes precedence over any other obligations, particularly those to their employers or public authorities. Journalism is a profession that requires time, resources, and tools - and access to these elements is essential to ensure its independence. This international declaration defines the foundations of professional journalism practices while journalists seek, edit, publish, collect, comment on, and describe events across various media platforms.

1- Respecting truth and the public's right to know this truth is the journalist's primary responsibility.
2- Journalists should always advocate for freedom principles during the performance of their duties and maintain integrity in gathering and publishing news, as well as defend the right to express opinions and fair criticism. They must clearly distinguish between information and facts and between commentary and criticism.

3- Journalists must convey news and facts that they know their original source. They should not withhold important information or falsify documents. They must publish accurately the statements or other media materials released by individuals who do not hold public positions on social media networks.

4- Journalists must use fair and ethical means to obtain news, images, documents, and data. They must identify themselves as journalists and should avoid using hidden recording tools and photography unless it is impossible to obtain information that serves the public good without them. They must seek information freely and investigate all facts that serve the public interest.

5- The principle of speed in publishing information or breaking news should not take precedence over the principles of verifying sources or granting the parties concerned the opportunity to respond.
 
6- Journalists must make every effort to correct any information they published that later turns out to be inaccurate. Corrections should be made promptly, openly, completely, and transparently.

7- Journalists must uphold the confidentiality of the sources of information they obtain under the condition of "not revealing the source."

8- Journalists must respect privacy. They should respect the dignity of individuals mentioned or named in reports and inform the person being interviewed whether the interview will be published. They must pay particular attention to individuals who lack experience in being interviewed or are vulnerable.

9- Journalists must ensure that the information and opinions they publish do not contribute to fostering hatred or promoting stereotypes; they must exert their utmost effort to avoid facilitating the spread of discrimination based on ethnic, social, or geographical origins, race, gender, sexual orientation, language, religion, disability, political opinion, or any other views.

10- Journalists acknowledge that the following practices are considered serious professional failures:
•  Fraud.
•  Distortion of facts.
•  Defamation and publication of insults, reputation tarnishing, unsubstantiated accusations.

11- Journalists should refrain from acting as assistants to the police or other security agencies. They must provide, upon request, the information published and circulated by the journalistic institution.

12- Journalists must show solidarity with their colleagues without compromising their freedom to investigate, their duty to inform, their right to critique, comment, ridicule, and their editorial choices.

13- Journalists must not exploit media freedom to serve any other interests and must refrain from accepting unfair benefits or personal gains resulting from publishing or withholding information. They should avoid or limit any situation that may represent a conflict of interest due to their professional work. They must steer clear of any activity that represents commercial or political propaganda. They must refrain from using insider information in stock trading or to influence the market.

14- Journalists must not engage in any activity or accept any commitment that could threaten their independence. They should respect the methods of collecting information and the manner of publishing it to which they have voluntarily agreed, such as "not for publication," or "without mentioning the source," or concealing the original source, or "not publishing before a certain date" as long as these commitments are clear and undisputed.

15- Journalists who deserve to carry the profession's name have the duty to commit sincerely to the principles listed above. They should not be coerced into practices or express opinions that contradict their professional convictions and conscience.

16- Journalists must acknowledge, within the honor of the profession and in the general context of national law in their countries, the jurisdiction of self-regulatory bodies for the journalism profession, which are open to public complaints and protected from any form of intervention by governments or any other entity.