ZAGREB, July 17 (Hina) - The Council of Europe Committee of Ministers has adopted a declaration and a recommendation to member countries on the media and criminal proceedings.
ZAGREB, July 17 (Hina) - The Council of Europe Committee of
Ministers has adopted a declaration and a recommendation to member
countries on the media and criminal proceedings. #L#
The declaration, adopted on July 10, calls on journalists covering
criminal proceedings and trials to pay attention to the presumption
of innocence, i.e. the principle that everyone is innocent as long
as their guilt has not been legally proven.
Journalists are also called upon to respect the dignity and
security of every man, as well as the guaranteed right to the
privacy of every participant in criminal proceedings, victims,
applicants, witnesses, suspects and the accused, as well as their
families.
Governments are called upon to adjust legislation pertaining to
reporting on criminal and court proceedings to the principles
outlined in the declaration and the recommendation.
Media associations are urged to regulate the coverage of criminal
proceedings with their own codes, in accordance with an initiative
by European journalists and media for making the profession more
responsible through self-regulation.
(hina) ha sb