Rosme Magazine Code of Ethics for Journalists
1. General principles
1.1. Freedom of expression and of the press are essential for democracy. A free and independent press is a guarantee of respect for human rights and the democratic development of society
1.2. Journalists have a duty to defend freedom of expression and freedom of the press. Journalists shall not be subject to any influence that restricts the free flow of information or impedes open debate on any issue of public importance.
1.3. Journalists have a duty to ensure that the public is fully informed about processes and events. Journalists are for a diverse exchange of views, analytical and critical of political, economic and judicial power, defending the rights of society and the individual.
2. Tasks of a journalist
2.1. A journalist’s main task is to provide truthful and verified information.
2.2. The presentation of facts in the content produced by a journalist must be objective, clear and free from falsification or deception.
2.3. The journalist shall ensure a diversity of views, including, where he or she considers the views unacceptable, giving the opportunity to those persons or organisations whose actions or words are the subject of the publication to express their views.
2.4. The journalist respects the wish of the persons mentioned in the article to read the material before publication, but reserves the right not to change the presentation, style or to delete factual references.
2.5. Journalists collect and use news, photographs, video and audio recordings and documents only in the course of their professional duties.
2.6. A journalist does not provide PR services, always separating advertising from news and analysis.
2.7. A journalist shall refrain from mentioning a person’s ethnic origin, nationality, profession, political opinions, religious beliefs or sexual orientation if these details are irrelevant in the context, especially if mentioning such facts may appear offensive.
2.8. A journalist avoids unwarranted intrusion into people’s private lives and does not disseminate information that affects a person’s reputation, preventing them from defending themselves.
2.9. The journalist is personally responsible for the information provided and its interpretation.
2.10. The journalist immediately and fully corrects his mistakes.
3. The journalist’s relationship with sources
3.1. A journalist shall not reveal the source of information in a publication without the consent of the source.
3.2. When referring to an anonymous source, the journalist shall take responsibility for the veracity of the information and shall explain, to the extent possible, the reason for anonymity.
3.3. It is the journalist’s responsibility to verify the information provided by sources.
3.4. When dealing with sources, journalists have a duty to identify themselves. Exceptions may be made where information of public interest cannot be obtained in any other way or where journalistic experiments are being conducted.
4. Independence of journalists
4.1. A journalist cannot be a member of a political party or stand as a candidate in national or local elections.
4.2. A journalist shall not join any organisation that may interfere with or compromise the performance of his/her professional duties.
4.3. A journalist shall not accept payment, gifts, favours, preferential treatment or other benefits in return for producing media content from persons other than his or her employer or volunteer.
4.4. A journalist must refrain from producing material that creates a conflict of interest in relations with individuals, political, economic and other interest groups.
5. Relations between journalists
5.1. Journalists resolve disagreements in a professionally honest discussion.
5.2. Journalists support each other when political or economic authorities try to influence editorial work.
5.3. Journalists respect each other’s work, do not tolerate plagiarism and always point out when they are quoting another media outlet’s content.
6. Mechanism for monitoring the Code of Conduct
6.1. While working or volunteering at the Publishing Department of the Latvian Association of the Blind, a journalist signs the Code of Ethics, thereby confirming that he/she is committed to abide by it.
6.2. If a journalist is already bound by the Code of Ethics of the professional organisation of journalists, the Code of Ethics of Rosme does not have to be signed.
6.3. The Code of Ethics of Rosme is not legally binding, but is a voluntary compilation of ethical standards of behaviour adopted by professionals.
6.4. Violations of the Code of Ethics shall be reviewed by the editorial staff of “Rosme” magazine on a collegial basis, if necessary involving the Chairman of the Central Board of the Latvian Society for the Blind.