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
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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