Center for the Study of Ethics in the Professions at IIT

Principles

A sheer difference between facts and opinions or interpretations has to be always observed avoiding any deliberated confusion or distortion of both. The same criteria must be applied as to any guess or rumour is concerned.

To diffuse only informations duly founded, avoiding in all cases to make assertions or offering non concrete data and baseless, which may hurt or disdain the dignity of persons. Neither, to originate unjustifiable damage or discredit to institutions and to public and private agencies, or employing outrageous expressions or assessments.

To rectify with diligence, and adequately to the circumstances, all informations - and opinions derived from them - whose falsity has been proved and, on account of it, they cause damage to the rights and legitimate interests of people and / or institutions concerned. If it would be necessary, apologizing it independently of what prescribe the legislation.

To use right methods as to obtain information or images without recurring to unlawful procedures.

To respect the off the record, if such a criteria be claimed by the source, according to the way of using it in a free society.

To recognize to the individual and / or institutions their right of neither providing informations, nor answering questions, though it may be the duty of journalists of taking into consideration their right of citizens to the information. As far as the affairs relating to the public agencies is concerned, the fundamental right to the information must prevail over any type of limitation, which affect seriously, with any kind of justification, to the principle of information transparency, to whom they are liable.

Do not accept any kind of remuneration or of compensation from third people in order to promote, to orientate, to influence or to have published news or opinions. In any case, it is not acceptable to act simultaneously as a journalist with other professional activities which do not be compatible with the deontology of information, such as advertising, public relations and image consultancy, either in the field of public institutions or agencies, or in private institutions.

Do not use in one's own benefit privileged informations which have been confidentially obtained as journalists exercising their professional task.

To respect the rights of persons to their own privacy and image, principally in those cases or events which originate feelings of sadness or pain. Besides, to avoid the gratuitous interference and unnecessary speculations related to their feelings or circumstances, specially when those persons concerned make it explicit.

To observe in a very scrupulous way the principle of presumption of innocence in informations and opinions connected with the juridical process.

To deal with special care all kind of news concerning children. It will be prevented any diffusion of identification when they appear as being victims (except in the case of murder), witness or accused in criminal prosecutions, principally in those cases of a great social repercussion, as it happens in the sexual offences. It will be avoided also to identify, against their will, those related people or innocent relatives of persons accused or condemned in criminal trials.

To behave with a definite sense of responsibility and harshness when it deals with informations or opinions with a content which may provoke sex, race, beliefs, social class or cultural discriminations. In the same token, to incite to the use of violence, and thus avoiding expressions or manifestations which be degrading or harmful for the personal condition of individuals and their physical or moral integrity.