What is it?

Need and Importance of Media Ethics

  • maintaining public trust
  • informing a healthy democracy
  • protecting individual rights
  • promoting social responsibility
  • accountability and transparency

Challenges

Press Council of India

PCI helps uphold media ethics

Responsibilities

  • Preserving press freedom
  • maintaining ethical standards
  • investigating complaints
  • issuing advisories

Code of Conduct

Core Principles:

  • Accuracy and Objectivity: Journalists are obligated to strive for accurate reporting, verifying information from reliable sources and presenting multiple perspectives to ensure a balanced and unbiased view.
  • Fairness and Impartiality: Expressing personal opinions as facts is strictly discouraged. Journalists should present all sides of an issue fairly and avoid sensationalizing or misleading narratives.
  • Privacy: Respecting individuals’ right to privacy is crucial. Sensitive information or private details should not be published without consent, unless newsworthiness or public interest outweighs privacy concerns.
  • Avoidance of Incitement: Reporting should not deliberately incite violence, hatred, or communal disharmony.
  • Defamation: Publishing false or misleading information that damages someone’s reputation is strictly prohibited.
  • Substantiation: Assertions and accusations must be supported by credible evidence.
  • Prejudicial Reporting: Journalists should avoid prejudicing any ongoing legal proceedings or investigations through their reporting.
  • Contempt of Court: Publishing information that undermines the authority or dignity of the judiciary is a punishable offense.
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