Broadcasting authority approves Broadcasters’ Code of Ethics

The Broadcasting Coordination Council (BCC) today approved by unanimous vote the Broadcasters’ Code of Ethics, Info-Prim Neo reports. The Code covers a wide range of principles from journalistic standards and programming to financial transparency and business conduct of broadcasters. Recognising the constitutional right of the radio listeners and television viewers to be fairly, fully and properly informed, the Code imposes on broadcasters the fundamental and prime obligation of truth. Therefore, broadcasters are obliged to disseminate only fully verified facts. The information presented in newscasts must be based only on verifiable data and facts. Providing information of public concern, either of political, economic, social or cultural character, broadcasters shall follow the principles of impartiality, balance and free opinion formation, by presenting the views of all sides involved and, when necessary, the main dissenting opinions. In addition, the broadcasters shall refrain from broadcasting images and audios recorded on hidden devices, except for cases where such recordings cannot be obtained in normal conditions and their content represents a justified interest to the public. The Code says broadcasters must ensure full transparency concerning the property and management of media institutions, so that the public knows exactly the identity of their owners as well as the level of their financial involvement in managing media institutions. Broadcasters are encouraged to show solidarity to each other in any circumstances and manifest a spirit of professional comradeship. During the debates on the Code, there was made a proposal to establish a body that would supervise the observance of the Code by the broadcasters. Some of the BCC members and broadcasters attending opposed the idea, saying “it is already known who its potential members are, how it will work, and what powers and obligations it will have”. In the end, the proposal was accepted and introduced into the Code. The Broadcasters’ Code of Ethics is non-mandatory in character