"In this study the author presents self-regulation as a part of a wider subject, that is, freedom of speech, arguing that self-regulation does not intrude on this freedom beyond the limits set by democracy, and that, compared to legislative solution, it is a much more friendly way of implementing th
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e principle that one person's freedom is limited by another person's freedom. What is important is that the media are aware of the power they enjoy. The author gives several examples that illustrate where abuse of that unruly power can lead and argues that it is much better if media themselves hold it at bay and thus avert state's interference with an intention of compelling them to do so. The book recapitulates various views on media accountability and mechanisms reinforcing it, already widely discussed in public. It also looks into the current state of affairs in Slovenia despite the risk that time and further developments in this field may soon cancel out present conclusions. The frame of debate on the establishment of a press council in Slovenia could serve as a useful example for others. The existing Ethics Commission in Slovenia, whose past performance could have paved the way for an elaborate form of self-regulation, unfortunately proved to be an obstacle. The idea about a tripartite press council arose in some a feeling that a press council would be set against the ethics commission itself, even though, to the contrary, it could primarily advance the present work of this commission. The study therefore does not argue that existing ethics commission is needless, but rather points to the ideas about co-regulation that have recently emerged in the EU. They could lead to the shifting of the center, meaning that voluntary self-regulation, which advances media accountability and through it also professional conduct, could be taken away from the media and placed in the hands of users. The protection of professional standards would thus be transformed into the protection of consumer rights." (Summary, page 7)
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"As the worlds of economics, politics, culture, and communications face a growing wave of globalization that will likely continue, ethical challenges for journalists have also gone global. I propose a clear division between ethics codes for media owners, the public, and professional journalists and
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present a set of considerations and specific rules applicable only to the last group. In this article I advocate a universal code of journalistic ethics but point out problems and warn against dangers that have made the application of such codes difficult in the past. A universal code should consider the voluntary nature of such an endeavor, the cultural and economic differences in various journalistic traditions, and the problem of producing solutions acceptable to all involved." (Abstract)
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"The SADC Protocol on Culture, Information and Sport is undoubtedly a very bold step by governments in the region to harmonise their laws and policies in ways that would promote media freedom and create enabling conditions for the free flow of information. However, some provisions of the protocol re
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nege on the same noble ideas the governments seek to advance. The protocol raises two major concerns, which are: the accreditation of journalists and the introduction of a code of ethics. Instead of leaving the journalism profession to regulate itself, the protocol hints at governments playing a hand in the regulation of media and journalists. Legislated regulation of the media has a very negative effect on media freedom. The region has already witnessed several attempts to have journalists licensed and registered which led ultimately to closure of newspapers and the arrest and criminalizing of journalists for working without a registration. Any attempt, therefore, to have the registration and code of ethics dictated or regulated by the government is an affront to media freedom. Journalists should be free to set up self-regulatory structures without interference from government. Accreditation should be done by journalists’ bodies and should be recognized by government structures." (Preface)
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"This Handbook is primarily for journalists, students, educators and activists, as well as the media managers. Its intention is not to offer a comprehensive review of professional and ethical standards on reporting diversities, but to prepare a general framework of rules that are accepted in profess
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ional journalism’s practice. Hence, the recommendations are actually a part of professional standards in journalism and ethical codes that apply worldwide. The presence of diversities in the editor’s offices and in journalistic contents attracts new audiences to the medium. It encourages the process of finding creative, original and alternative ways of reporting on diversities in a society such as Macedonia. The Handbook consists of several parts that offer recommendations for reporting on: ethnic and religious differences, gender issues, sexual minorities, persons with special needs, elderly, refugees and displaced persons, and different races. It provides basic recommendations for the media to promote diversity in society, but also for the establishment and maintenance of the concept of diversity in the editor’s offices." (Introduction)
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