Abstract

The Guidelines of the Council for Journalism (Leidraad van de Raad voor de Journalistiek) describes which requirements journalism must meet and as such clarify to all— both inside and outside the profession—what can be expected of proper journalists and proper journalism. It was created by the Press Council in the Netherlands, an independent body whose core task is to provide a framework for self-regulation for the media and review complaints about journalistic conduct. According to the Guidelines, proper journalism is truthful and meticulous, impartial and fair, verifiable and integer, and ethical.