Ethical Journalism Network Programme 2012
Our Work
During the start-up phase from March to June 2012, the Ethical Journalism Network has rapidly established its presence in the media development field – linking up with professional partners at global and national level and starting work in a number of key countries.
The EJN has helped journalists, editors and owners in Pakistan to launch their own Coalition for Ethical Journalism (www.pakmediaethics.org) and is working with local media in Egypt to create a new vision of self-regulation. The Network Director has written a guide to ethics and self-regulation for Egyptian journalists which will be published in Arabic in August 2012.
It has established useful collaboration with UNESCO and is working with policymakers and senior officials at the Council of Europe and the United Nations Human Rights Council.
The EJN has begun to inspire a serious debate within journalism and media self-regulation circles about the importance of ethics and moral leadership in society. It has touched a nerve that has stimulated interest among journalists, editors and policymakers alike.
The launch of the EJN website signals another important step and will be part of a wider information and communication campaign in the second half of the year. Further activities include:
- Country programmes to develop local networks and activities to promote ethical journalism in Indonesia, Turkey and southeastern Europe and actions to develop further programmes in Latin America and Africa.
- A survey to identify the needs of media seeking to strengthen ethical and governance standards including more transparent and accountable structure of management and media performance in a converged media environment.
- A detailed examination of the impact of paid journalism and other corrupting practices which provide an ethical challenge in almost every country.
- A global report to highlight a number of innovative and pioneering actions to enhance standards around the world as well as to highlight some of the difficult challenges.
- Actions to create an international network of self-regulating authorities committed to working independently of government.
The EJN in the first phase of its work is supported by the Media and Democracy Foundation SDM in the Netherlands and by a grant from the Norwegian Foreign Ministry.
Upcoming Activities
October 30, 2012
New York: EJN presentation on ethics and regulation challenges at United Nations meeting to mark presentation of annual report by UN Rapporteur on freedom of expression.
November 7-9, 2012
Indonesia: Focus on EJN and regulation issues at Bali Democracy Forum. Launch of Asia regional network of press councils. Development of EJN programme for Asia region.
November 16-17, 2012
Romania: Bucharest conference in co-operation with SEENPM and UNESCO to discuss ethical journalism programme and self-regulation for EJN network in Western Balkans and South East Europe.
November 19-21, 2012
Pakistan: EJN sponsored meeting of leading media organisations to prepare joint code and guidelines for media covering upcoming national elections. Review of Ethical Audit proposal and implementation of audit with media partners.
November 26-27, 2012
Egypt: EJN participation in UNESCO sponsored programme to establish first voluntary self-regulation process for Egyptian media.
December 3-7, 2012
Turkey: Participation in South East Europe Media Organisation regional conference in Istanbul. EJN report on situation of self-regulation of media in Turkey and establishment of ethical programme with local partners.
December 10, 2012
Brussels: Organisation of EJN partners meeting and consultation with European Union officials on development of media policy related to journalism and self-regulation in the EU.
Diary of Activity
October 24-25, 2012
Azerbaijan: Promoting media accountability. Conference on ethics and the power of self-regulation and training exercise for groups supporting voluntary self-regulation. Supported by Council of Europe and International Media Support.
October 23, 2012
Hungary: Keynote presentation on EJN and the need for a new ethical movement in journalism to the Schibsted Media Group Editors’ Forum, covering leading media in Norway, Sweden, France, Spain and Estonia.
October 18-19, 2012
Belgium: Conference in Antwerp of European Association of Press Councils including discussion on EJN calls for reform of media self-regulation process.
October 5-7, 2012
Romania: Bucharest conference in co-operation with SEENPM and UNESCO to discuss ethical journalism programme and self-regulation for EJN network in Western Balkans and South East Europe.
October 3, 2012
Belgium: Conference at Brussels Press Club with Association of Commercial Television on media regulation policy and ethical programme for South East Europe with Council of Europe, European Union and media representatives.
September 28-29, 2012
Argentina: Meetings in co-operation with Global Editors Network and media leaders to plan Latin American activities and programme of EJN.
September 17-21, 2012
Pakistan: Coalition for Ethical Journalism programme in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad. Meetings to take place with media and communications minister and government officials on future of self-regulation in media.
September 9- 11, 2012
South Africa: Presentation and launch of EJN in sub-Saharan Africa in co-operation with Global Forum for Media Development summit and Africa Media Initiative.
July 22-28, 2012
Armenia: Presentation of EJN principles and ethical activities at summer school for Armenian journalists and media executives. In co-operation with Council of Europe and Internews.
June 30, 2012
United Kingdom: London meeting of Statewatch media network to discuss ethical standards and role of media in reporting security and justice issues
June 27, 2012
Belgium: Participation and presentation at European Parliament conference on media pluralism and future regulation of journalism.
June 15, 2012
Belgium: International conference in Brussels on issues of racism, intolerance and media diversity organised by European University Institute, Florence.
June 12, 2012
Belgium: Meeting with General Secretary of European Association of Press Councils to plan co-operation and participation in conference due for Antwerp, October 18th-19th.
June 4, 2012
Denmark: Copenhagen meetings with International Media Support and Danish Journalists Union to discuss Ethical Journalism Network Programme and proposals for further work.
June 2, 2012
France: Paris meeting in collaboration with UNESCO of media professional groups including the formal launch of Ethical Journalism Network and adoption of Founding Statement. Meetings with Indonesian Press Council members and preparation of activity program for 2012-2013.
June 1, 2012
Egypt: Completion of self-regulation and ethical guidelines for Egyptian journalists in collaboration with UNESCO and network of media leaders.
May 29, 2012
France: Summit of Global Editors Network in Paris, Presentation of Ethical Journalism Network and two meetings with sponsored editors from 18 countries to discuss EJN and regional development proposals.
May 28, 2012
Kenya: Tele-conference keynote address to Nairobi meeting of radio journalists on ethical and governance issues
May 24, 2012
United Kingdom: London meeting at Reuters with International News Safety Institute. Discussion on ethical issues related to security and safety of journalists with media leaders from Reuters, BBC, CNN, Aljazeera and others.
May 15, 2012
Belgium: Brussels meeting with Association of Commercial Television to prepare for Brussels-based activity on ethical journalism issues.
May 7th -11, 2012
Pakistan: Formal launch of Coalition for Ethical Journalism in Pakistan in Islamabad. Meetings with editors, owners, journalists’ union and Directors of Broadcasting Council, PEMRA, and Pakistan Press Council.
May 4, 2012
Tunisia: Presentation of programme on ethical and governance issues at UNESCO conference to celebrate World Press Freedom Day 2012.
May 3, 2012
United Kingdom: Presentation at London meeting at Reuters with journalists and media leaders to discuss ethical crisis for journalism in the UK.
April 18, 2012
Norway: Meetings with Norwegian media leaders and professional bodies to establish national network supporting Ethical Journalism Network.
April 13, 2012
France: Paris meeting of media professional groups in collaboration with UNESCO to discuss creation of network in support of ethical journalism programme.
April 2, 2012
Egypt: Presentation at UNESCO Cairo conference on self-regulation and ethical values in Egyptian media with Syndicate of Journalists and media experts.
March 26-27, 2012
Italy: Florence experts meeting at European University Institute to promote regulation and standards recognising convergence and emergence of digital media in Europe
March 22, 2012
Pakistan: Karachi meeting with editors, owners and media leaders to prepare Pakistan Coalition for Ethical Journalism. Meetings with journalists and leading media – GEO TV, Dawn Television, The Herald.
March 9 –11, 2012
Egypt: Cairo conference on inclusive and ethical journalism. Media Diversity Institute, UNESCO, Syndicate of Journalists.