Manama: Bahrain Journalists Association (BJA) has launched an open debate on a code of ethics meant to assist media people in their work.
The BJA said that the new draft is based on the views expressed by media people during the national dialogue held in July to help heal the wounds to the Bahraini society following the events that hit the nation in February and March and their consequences.
“We urge all our members and all media people to contribute to the final draft of the code by expressing their views and offering suggestions,” the BJA said in a statement on Wednesday.
Journalists wishing to comment on the draft have four days to send their suggestions and views to an email account, the BJA, an umbrella for Bahrain-based journalists launched in 2001, said. According to the initial draft of the media principles and regulations, journalists should avoid all forms of racism and the denigration of sects and religions.
They should not advocate or promote discrimination, hatred or any type of contempt for the opinions of any community. Journalists should strive for accuracy, honesty and objectivity in the drafting and dissemination of news. They should work on information and facts according to the norms of genuine journalism ethics. Personal privacy should be respected at all times and journalists should not use their media to expose people’s private lives or to defame them, level accusations without evidence or seek personal benefits, the code said.
