Name of code
Principles of Impartiality and Balance of the Public Service Broadcasting Programme [Avalik-õigusliku ringhäälingu programmi erapooletuse ja tasakaalustatuse põhimõtted]
Originator of code
The Broadcasting Council
Country
Estonia
Original language
Estonian
Year of creation
2001
Type of code
Journalism
Main frame of accountability
Professional
Transparency
Public
Legal and regulatory context
Mandatory
Implementation and enforcement
Procedural
Diversity
No
AI/automation
No
The “Principles of Impartiality and Balance in Public Broadcasting Programming” is an 8-page long guideline divided into 14 subchapters like how to address complex issues, how to ensure political balance when covering political topics, how to do interview, or what to keep in mind when parodying news. The first section introduces various concepts related to impartiality and objectivity and explains why these are important and how to follow them. The document is a general guideline that explains the requirements of objectivity and impartiality through various public broadcasting related examples and situations. The last subchapter on responsibility foresaw the creation of a separate position within the public broadcasting body whose role is to handle potential misconduct cases.
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