Duties of Journalists [Pflichten der Journalistinnen und Journalisten/Devoir des jorunalistes/Doveri dei giornalisti]

Name of code

Duties of Journalists [Pflichten der Journalistinnen und Journalisten/Devoir des jorunalistes/Doveri dei giornalisti]

Originator of code

Swiss Press Council [Schweizer Presserat/Conseil Suisse de la presse/Consiglio svizzero della stampa]

Country

Switzerland

Original language

German/French/Italian

Year of creation

1977

Type of code

Journalism

Main frame of accountability

Professional

Transparency

Public

Legal and regulatory context

Non-mandatory

Implementation and enforcement

Voluntary

Diversity

Yes

AI/automation

No

Abstract

Duty of Journalists is a document issued by the Swiss Press Council that describes journalists’ obligations, i.e., the rules journalists should adopt to accomplish their mission to inform. These include seeking out the truth, defending freedom of information and the independence of the profession, and pluralism. They also refer to how to present certain delicate topics (such as suicide, sexual harassment, natural disasters) including images, and how to deal with possible mistakes. The document also gives directives regarding the internet and social media.

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