New System of Ethical Journalism Declared

11 October 2005

The research group of the Press Council, established with the assistance of the UNESCO, declared the establishment of a New System of Ethical Journalism in Serbia. The Declaration was presented at the regular monthly press-conference held at the Media Centre Belgrade.

Over the past eight months, the Council overviewed the reporting of all important daily newspapers and weekly magazines in Serbia, to establish the levels to which the editorial offices comply to the generally accepted norms and standards of ethics and professionalism.

The results of the monitoring demonstrate that Serbian press goes backwards towards slandering, lies, incitement to hatred, xenophobia and other practices characteristic for the reporting during the Milosevic regime.

The Press Council sent an urgent appeal to all professional journalist associations, the Ministry of Culture and editors-in-chief of the most important publications, in which it demands that they return their focus and dedication to the democratic values, ethics and professionalism. The Council announced the organization of a round-table discussion later this month, which will put on the table the demand for an urgent adoption of a Unified Code of Ethics and establishment of a new Media Ethics Council, which would be in charge of the implementation of the Code.

The members of the research team reminded, once again, that the successful work of these institutions shall require full support by the state, especially in terms of funding for this important body.