JOURNALISTS ADOPT PRINCIPLES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT IN ELECTIONS

OPATIJA, Oct 31 (Hina) - Journalists shall advocate the establishment of democratic relations in society and oppose anything that could endanger that process, as well as advocate tolerance and open dialogue, read the principles of professional conduct in the upcoming elections, adopted on Sunday at the Days of Croatian Journalism in Opatija. The event was organised by the Croatian Journalists' Association. The principles further read that journalists are obliged to contribute to the development of pluralism of ideas and beliefs, consistently defend human rights and freedoms and help in strengthening the rule of law and civil society, as well as participate in controlling the bodies of authority. Journalists are to be guided by the principles of their profession and the interests of a democratic society, which obliges them to providing true information. They are also obliged to respect the principles of personal integrity and present all candidates in the election process in an equal manner, avoiding bias. As any other citizen, a journalist also has the right to political and other engagement but he must not let it interfere with his professional work. If a journalist is directly included in the election process in a party or as an independent candidate, he must be freed of all duties as a reporter which could enable him to promote his party programme or his personal election acts. Journalists in party papers have to respect the principles of professionalism, tolerance and truthfulness, as well as the principles of a civilised dialogue, read the document adopted at the Opatija event. (hina) rml