"While several codes in these countries [where news media are considered less free] call for media owners to place responsibility for content above their commercial interests, the reality is that when promulgated by governments they can threaten rather than enhance freedom of the press. When voluntary, they are little more than aspirational. Thus, some view the very notion of codes of ethics for media owners as potentially dangerous as well as ineffective. Nonetheless, media funders and implementers are urged to assist groups that seek to hold media owners accountable for the sins of omission and commission that occur in the publications, broadcast networks, and other media they own and control. As the funding of public-interest journalism becomes more challenging, notions of corporate social responsibility and good governance in management of media become more relevant and confidence-building actions that will encourage change across the ownership landscape, old and new, are urgently needed." (Introduction, page 7-8)
Introduction, 8
Backdrop: Media Owners and Ethics in the West, 10
Owners and Ethics in the Non-Western World, 15
The Double Bottom Line, 25
Conclusion, 29
Recommendations, 31
Appendix: Ethical Journalism Network Media Standards for the Digital Age, 32