Ethics is a concept that was, is and will always be on debate. Deciding between right and wrong when different circumstances and situation are far from being clear on any of the two sides and when all consequences of each move can never be predicted, is a matter of responsible choice. Journalists face ethics related issues permanently. Having rules to guide them through is essential. That is why a code of ethics is vital.
While creating and enforcing a code at an international level faces many difficulties due to many factors such as cultural and political differences, many countries have a guideline for their journalists to follow. This is also the case of Slovakia, which recently updated its code of ethics. This will be a point of discussion on the list of CIME's upcoming 2011 Forum which will be held in Budapest, making the debate focused especially on ethics issues located in Central- Eastern Europe.
In a nutshell, the Slovak Code of Ethics was formulated under the supervision of the Slovak Syndicate of Journalist. In the early November of this year their code, adopted in 1990, has been updated, the changes being very much welcomed by the Slovak media community as they are the first being made to the code after more than 20 years.
The new version is more detailed and it highlights guidelines for ethics related issues, which the present media actors have to face and which were not as important, or not as debated, 20 years ago, such as conflict of interests and invasion of privacy. Moreover, it offers a definition for censorship and it allows this code to be applied not only to the members of the Slovak Syndicate of Journalists, but also to other media actors and other media organizations.
For more details and debates on ethics related issues in Central/Eastern Europe you can refer to the news related to CIME's 2011 Forum.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
New Hungarian media law raises world-wide concern
One of CIME's first activities for the next year is the upcoming 2011 Forum. This will be held in Budapest, the capital of a country that has lately been dealing with some significant media ethics issues. These issues revolve around a new law on media which was passed earlier this week. The law has raised significant opposition from Hungarian media and local and international press freedom watchdogs ever since its drafting began, in the first half of this year.
The controversial provisions of the law stipulate strict rules on coverage of sex, violence or alcohol and attach significant sanctions to them. Also, according to this law, journalists will have to reveal their sources in cases deemed to involve national security or public safety. Moreover a National Media and Communications Authority (NMHH) is being established, which is to be controlled by members of the ruling right-wing conservative Fidesz party, which is led by Prime Minister Viktor Orban. This body will be able to impose heavy fines on media producers.
In response to this law, earlier this month different Hungarian newspapers published blank front pages and 1500 students protested in Budapest whilst parliament members of Lehet Mas a Politika, an opposition party, wore sticky tape over their mouths.
This law raises a number of questions. One of which is who can censure the media, guide it through its activity and impose fines on it. Also to what extent the media should be placed under the authority of the ruling political power. Also, in which cases can journalists be required to reveal their sources?
Hungary is an interesting space to debate these questions over, because it will take over the rotating presidency of the European Union on the first of January 2011. But the attitude of the Hungarian authority seems to be clear, as appears in the words of the Prime Minister who, while defending the law said: "Look, public media is the task of the government. The government must support public media, as they have specific (cultural and political) tasks which commercial stations cannot fulfill"
Further readings
- For an overview on ECHR approach to instances when journalists can be compelled to reveal their sources refer to : http://www.echr.coe.int/NR/rdonlyres/0856B8A0-D3A1-47B4-B969-6250E84F9F3D/0/FICHES_Protection_des_sources_journalistiques_EN.pdf
The controversial provisions of the law stipulate strict rules on coverage of sex, violence or alcohol and attach significant sanctions to them. Also, according to this law, journalists will have to reveal their sources in cases deemed to involve national security or public safety. Moreover a National Media and Communications Authority (NMHH) is being established, which is to be controlled by members of the ruling right-wing conservative Fidesz party, which is led by Prime Minister Viktor Orban. This body will be able to impose heavy fines on media producers.
In response to this law, earlier this month different Hungarian newspapers published blank front pages and 1500 students protested in Budapest whilst parliament members of Lehet Mas a Politika, an opposition party, wore sticky tape over their mouths.
This law raises a number of questions. One of which is who can censure the media, guide it through its activity and impose fines on it. Also to what extent the media should be placed under the authority of the ruling political power. Also, in which cases can journalists be required to reveal their sources?
Hungary is an interesting space to debate these questions over, because it will take over the rotating presidency of the European Union on the first of January 2011. But the attitude of the Hungarian authority seems to be clear, as appears in the words of the Prime Minister who, while defending the law said: "Look, public media is the task of the government. The government must support public media, as they have specific (cultural and political) tasks which commercial stations cannot fulfill"
Further readings
- For an overview on ECHR approach to instances when journalists can be compelled to reveal their sources refer to : http://www.echr.coe.int/NR/rdonlyres/0856B8A0-D3A1-47B4-B969-6250E84F9F3D/0/FICHES_Protection_des_sources_journalistiques_EN.pdf
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)