Role of Media in Fighting Corruption
The EJN director, Aidan White, was scheduled to take part in a seminar “The role of media in fighting corruption”, directed by Sr. Rogelio Grajal, in Barcelona, Spain. The event, was due to feature prominent academics and journalists and provide a platform for the EJN to present the findings of the our 2015 report; Untold Stories: How Corruption and Conflicts of Interest Stalk the Newsroom.
Unfortunately the event was cancelled.
Date: 6th July 2016
Venue: Barcelona Center for Contemporary Culture (CCCB),c/ Montalegre, 5, Barcelona, Spain.
Organisers: Consorci Universitat Internacional Menéndez Pelayo de Barcelona (UIMP Barcelona – Centre Ernest Lluch) & Oficina Antifrau de Catalunya
Online profiles: Event Programme
Untold Stories: How Corruption and Conflicts of Interest Stalk the Newsroom
The world of journalism is full of good intentions but the idea of news media as a cornerstone of democracy and ethical values is fast disappearing according to a report released by the Ethical Journalism Network.
The report, Untold Stories: How Corruption and Conflicts of Interest Stalk the Newsroom, covers 18 countries and exposes how financially-stricken news media are being overwhelmed by political and corporate forces.
The report finds that in countries both rich and poor, there are ‘dark arts’ at work in newsrooms: media managers are doing deals with advertisers to carry paid-for material disguised as honest news; reporters and editors accept bribes and irregular payments; and a culture of dependence on political and corporate friends makes it increasingly difficult to separate journalism from propaganda and impartial reporting from public relations.
This survey concludes that a toxic mix of political and business pressures are leading to systematic disregard of ethical journalism principles. Although journalists and media insiders know what is going on, they are often reluctant to talk about it openly.
Unless media professionals at all levels face up to the crisis the future of journalism as a public good which speaks truth to power is at risk.
Read the full report here.