of Ethics Online Collection:None
Code of Ethics
Adopted at the Conference of the Latvian Union of Journalists on 28 April 1992.
1. THE ROLE OF THE MASS MEDIA IN SOCIETY
1.1. Freedom of speech and freedom of the press are basic elements of democracy. A free independent press, radio and TV are the most important guarantee of the democratic development of the society.
1.2. The mass media must defend the freedom of speech and freedom of press. They should not submit to any influence, that can limit the free flow of information and the usage of sources or limit the debate on any issue having significance for the society.
1.3. The duty of mass media is to protect the human rights.
2. INTEGRITY AND RESPONSIBILITY
2.1. The main task of a journalist is to provide the society with true and verified information.
2.2. The facts should be set forth objectively and clearly, relieving the main coherencies and with no misrepresentations.
2.3. Journalist carries a personal responsibility for the information presented and its interpretation.
2.4. Journalist should abstain from duties, that are against his/ her convictions.
2.5. Journalist must respect the intellectual property and not to allow plagiarism.
3. EDITORIAL RESPONSIBILITY
3.1. As it is declared in the Press Law, the editor is responsible for the information presented on radio, TV or press. He/ she should secure the flow or free and proper information, as will as free exchange of opinions.
3.2. The editorial board should guard their integrity, so that they may be free to act independently of any persons or groups who would like to exercise their influence.
4. RELATIONS WITH THE SOURCES
4.1. Journalist has no right to reveal the source without its permission, except if it is demanded at the court.
4.2. In particular consideration should be shown for people who cannot be expected to be aware of the effectiveness of the information and statements they give.
Journalist should take into consideration never abuse the emotions and feelings of other people, their ignorance or their failing power of judgments.
5. PUBLICATION RULES
5.1. Journalist should be critical in the choice of sources. The information should be checked and statements quoted should be verified.
5.2. In the publication journalist must always respect a person's private life, nationality, race identity and religious belief.
5.3. In the publication factual information must be clearly and unmistakably separated from comments.
5.4. There should be strict bounds between the advertisement and the author's material. The last should not imitate the advertisement, as such publications create doubts of the objectiveness of the editorial board as well as about the independence of the mass media.
5.5. Special attention should be paid using pictures out of their original context. Manipulation is inadmissible, as it creates the delusion.
Photomontage should be marked with a special sign or in the signature of the picture.
5.6. Journalist must pay a special consideration if reporting from the law courts.
The question of guilt has only be settled when a duly enforceable decisions has been made.
5.7. If incorrect information has been printed an apology for the mistake should be forthcoming as soon as possible and it should be put in a well noticeable place.
5.8. The space should be made available as soon as possible for responses from persons or institutions who and which have been made the subjects of attacks in publications.
5.9. The author of the material has rights to see it after it has been edited by the journalist and before it is published; it can be published only with the accept of the author.
6. JOURNALIST AND SOCIETY
6.1. Journalist must respect the democratic institutions and moral standards.
6.2. Journalist should stand up for human values - peace, democracy, human rights, peoples rights to self-determination.
6.3. The journalist of Latvia, having respect for the national values of other nations, should esteem the history, culture, national symbols, independence and freedom of Latvia.
