The “Journalists for the Future” NGO members are convinced that society enlightenment is basis for justice and democracy. Journalist’s duty is to unite these ends searching the truth and presenting frank and fair report on the events through both traditional and new media.
The “Code of Ethics of Online Journalist” developed by the JFF aims to form professional approaches of journalists co-operating with the organization towards their work. The Code can also be useful to those users who want to differ the good and skilled authors from those who spread false and untrue information in the Internet.
The first open discussions on the “Code of Ethics of Online Journalist” took place on March 30 – April 1 in Aghveran during the training titled “How to Coverage Elections in Web” organized by the JFF. On April 1, the Code was signed by 20 participants (names are listed below).
As the JFF emphasizes every person’s opinion on the paper, the organization offers all the interested parties, journalists, lawyers and civil journalists to make suggestions and comments.
10 RULES OF THE ONLINE JOURNALISTS
The “Journalists for the Future” NGO members are convinced that society enlightenment is basis for justice and democracy. Journalist’s duty is to unite these ends searching the truth and presenting frank and fair report on the events through both traditional and new media.
The “Code of Ethics of Online Journalist” developed by the JFF aims to form professional approaches of journalists co-operating with the organization towards their work. The Code can also be useful to those users who want to differ the good and skilled authors from those who spread false and untrue information in the Internet.
The first open discussions on the “Code of Ethics of Online Journalist” took place on March 30 – April 1 in Aghveran during the training titled “How to Coverage Elections in Web” organized by the JFF. On April 1, the Code was signed by 20 participants (names are listed below).
As the JFF emphasizes every person’s opinion on the paper, the organization offers all the interested parties, journalists, lawyers and civil journalists to make suggestions and comments.
10 RULES OF THE ONLINE JOURNALISTS
Each journalist, political or civil journalists, bloggers (online journalist), who are going to work and write articles for a Web, should accept and work according to the policy and principles of website concerning publishing on its platform.
Online journalist works in accordance with the “Do no harm” principle. The website or civil journalist before publishing any information should take into consideration the negative influence, including psychological, of information format (photo, video, etc.) and its content. If necessary, the journalist should omit the publishing of information, some part of it or its format. Deliberate distortion of facts or photos and their content is unacceptable.
1. Online journalists should stay away from comments while reporting news: the journalist’s opinion, attitude towards the story participants and facts must be excluded from the news.
2. Online journalists should publish true information: the journalist must not present information based on an unknown rumor as a fact. The journalist should point the information source whenever possible.
3. Any information which is presented by the journalist as a statement, should be validated by facts and several sources if possible. If facts are missing, the statement can be presented as an opinion or an assessment. If the statements do not belong to the journalist, the journalist should make reference to the information source, and if the source must be kept secret he should tell about it. Plagiarism is forbidden.
4. In each story, online journalists secure pluralism, unconditionally reflect all the participants’ opinions (especially, when they differ) and comments or point the reason of their absence.
5. Online journalists should respect every one’s rights as well as the right to privacy. Publishing personal information on the story participant should be based on public interest. In each case, the journalist should reconsider negative and positive effects of the publication of the information.
6. Online journalist should respect every one’s right to honor and dignity: the journalist should stay away from insulting, defamation and labeling.
7. Words, opinions and comments of the story participants should be presented literally in the story. In this case, the journalist should avoid presenting the story participant’s words in his own words or distorted from the point of view of grammar and content.
8. Online journalist should present the answer of the story participant if he does not agree with the content of the story or if there is negative information or opinion concerning him or his activity. Also, the journalist should secure the right of answer or comment in his story.
9. Online journalists should not instigate artificial comments to express their view or attitude towards the story participants or events. The website does not edit comments and carries no responsibility for the expressed thoughts. The website has the right to disable insulting or inappropriate comments.
10. Online journalist should act independently. In his activity, the onlien journalist should not have other interest than their cooperation with the website supposes. For this reason, the journalist should refuse presents, fees, free trips or special attitude from the story participants, avoid secondary works that can affect the conflict of interests, entering to politcs or other public activity if it can disrupt professional trust.
Changes in these rules are permitted only with agreement with the “Journalists for the Future” NGO and those online journalists who signed under these rules.
We, the undersigned, certify that we have read the rules of ethics of online journalist and we udertake the responsibility to follow these rules and act according to them
- Ani Poghosyan
- Lilit Tovmasyan
- Marine Petrosyan
- Anahit Darbinyan
- Sona Sirunyan
- Sigranuhi Davtyan
- Armanush Niazyan
- Irina Yolyan
- Meri Soghomonyan
- Srbuhi Grigoryan
- Hripsime Hovhakimyan
- Vruyr Malkhasyan
- Arsen Vardanyan
- Ripa Hovakimyan
- Emin Matevosyan
- Armenak Davtyan
- Armen Hovhakimyan
- Gagik Aghbalyan
- Suren Deheryan
- Gayane Mirzoyan
image source: www.nationalstory.co.uk