Journalist ethics: essential principles for responsible information

preconditions

The right to information, free expression of opinion and criticism is a fundamental human right.

The duties and rights of the journalist are founded on the right of the public to know facts and opinions.

The journalist's responsibility to the public prevails over any other responsibility, especially those that bind him to employers or state bodies.

The journalist voluntarily undertakes to comply with the rules of conduct set out in the Declaration of duties below.

In order to carry out his duties independently and in accordance with the quality criteria required of him, the journalist must be able to count on general conditions suitable for the exercise of his profession. This warranty is set forth in the Declaration of Rights below.

The journalist worthy of the name considers it his duty to faithfully respect the fundamental rules described in the Declaration of duties. Furthermore, in his professional activity, while respecting the laws of each country, he only accepts the judgment of other journalists, through the Press Council or another body legitimated to pronounce on matters of professional ethics. In this area he does not admit any interference by the state or other organizations. The behavior of a newspaper that publishes at least a brief summary of a position taken by the Press Council concerning it is considered to comply with the duty of equity.

Declaration of Duties

In collecting, choosing, compiling, interpreting and commenting on information, journalists respect the general principles of fairness, dealing fairly with the sources of information, the people they deal with and the public. The journalist, in particular:

It seeks the truth and respects the public's right to know it, regardless of the consequences that may result.

Defends freedom of information and related rights, freedom of comment and criticism, independence and dignity of the profession.

He only disseminates information, documents, images or audio recordings of which the source is known. It does not omit information, or important pieces of information; does not distort texts, documents, images, sounds, or opinions expressed by others; openly designates as such unconfirmed news and montages of images or sound.

It does not use unfair methods to obtain information, photographs, audio, visual or written documents. It does not alter or allow to alter photographs with the intent of falsifying the original. Renounce any form of plagiarism.

Corrects any information that, once disseminated, has proved to be materially inaccurate in whole or in part.

It protects professional secrecy and does not reveal the source of information received confidentially.

Respect people's private lives, when the public interest does not require otherwise; leaves out anonymous and concretely unjustified accusations

Respect people's dignity and renounce discriminatory references in text, images or sound documents. Discriminations to be avoided relate to ethnicity or nationality, religion, gender or sexual habits, illness and states of physical or mental infirmity. When using texts, images or sound documents related to wars, terrorist acts, misfortunes or catastrophes, respect the limit of consideration due to the suffering of the victims and people close to them.

It does not accept advantages or promises that could limit its professional independence and the expression of its personal opinion.

Avoid all forms of advertising and do not accept conditions from advertisers.

It accepts journalistic directives only from those in charge of its editorial staff, provided they are not in conflict with this Declaration.

Declaration of Rights

The following rights are considered the minimum on which the journalist must be able to count in order to fulfill the duties he has assumed:

• Right of free access to all sources of information and free inquiry into everything in the public interest. The secrecy, on public or private facts, can be opposed only exceptionally and with a clear explanation of the reasons in the specific case.
• Right to refuse, without prejudice, to carry out activities, and in particular to have to express opinions, contrary to professional standards or one's conscience.
• Right to refuse any directive or interference that contravenes the editorial line of the information body for which you work. This editorial line must be communicated to him in writing before hiring. The unilateral change or revocation of the editorial policy is unlawful and constitutes a breach of contract.
• Right to know your employer's property dealings. As a member of an editorial board, he must be informed and consulted in good time before any important decision that has an influence on the progress of the company. Members of an editorial board must in particular be consulted before any final decision which has consequences for the composition or organization of the editorial board.
• Right to adequate professional training and updating.
• Right to working conditions clearly defined in a collective agreement. In the collective agreement it must be established that no prejudice can derive to the journalist from the activities he carries out for professional organizations.
• Right to an individual employment contract, which guarantees his material and moral security and to remuneration appropriate to the functions he performs, the responsibilities he assumes and his social position, such as to ensure his economic independence.

This Declaration was approved by the Foundation Board of the "Swiss Press Council" at its founding meeting on 21 December 1999 and revised by the Board on 5 June 2008.

Protocol notes concerning the Declaration of Duties and Rights of Swiss journalists

Generalities / Purpose of the Protocol Notes

By acceding to the Foundation "Swiss Press Council" as contracting associations, Schweizer Presse / Presse Suisse / Swiss Press and SRG SSR Idée Suisse recognize the Press Council as a self-regulating body for the editorial part of the mass media.

The following Protocol Notes establish the regulatory framework within which the deontological norms included in the "Declaration of the Duties and Rights of Journalists" are recognized by them as a necessary contribution to the discourse on ethics and the quality of the media as a whole.

The Protocol Notes are intended to clarify the scope of the "Declaration" insofar as they concern controversial and/or unclear provisions historically materialized in this code.

These clarifications take into account the practice of the Press Council.

Field of application and normative nature

The addressees of the deontological normative provisions of the "Declaration" are the professional journalists who work, researching or processing information, in the news media of a public and periodical nature.

Publishers and producers acknowledge their duties deriving from these provisions.

The “Declaration” is essentially an ethical document.

The norms contained in it are deontologically binding, but, unlike legal norms, they do not have executive force on the legal level, even if the terms used sometimes reflect a language of a legal type.

The acknowledgment by Schweizer Presse/Presse Suisse/Swiss Press or by SRG SSR is to be understood in this sense.

The Protocol Notes that follow specify the limits of this recognition.

Neither employment law claims nor a direct effect on individual contracts can be deduced from the "Declaration".

The contracting parties agree that the achievement of the media quality standards contained in the "Declaration" presupposes honestly agreed and socially appropriate working conditions, high-level initial and continuous training and sufficient editorial infrastructure.

However, it is not permissible to derive legal obligations in this regard from the "Declaration of Rights".

Preamble / 3. paragraph

"The responsibility of the journalist to the public prevails over any other responsibility, especially those that bind him to employers or state bodies".

The third paragraph of the Preamble underlines the ideal priority of the "responsibility of the journalist towards the public sphere".

This statement parallels the communication rules contained in the Federal Constitution. However, it does not affect the structures of jurisdiction within the organization of work, nor does it prevail over the jurisprudence relating to this context, with a reservation, however, for cases of resistance motivated by reasons of conscience, involving the acceptance of the relative judicial consequences .

"Declaration of duties" / number 11

(The journalist) accepts journalistic directives only from the delegated managers of his own editorial staff, provided they are not in conflict with this Declaration.

In compliance with the line of the newspaper, the editorial staff decide autonomously on the contents of the editorial section. Exceptions are commercial communications signed by the director or the producer.

Individual editorial instructions on the part of the publisher or manufacturer are illegal. If the publisher or producer belongs to the editorial staff, they will be considered as journalists and will therefore be subject to the "Disclaimer".

The freedom of the editorial board and the separation from the commercial interests of the company must be ensured by a regulation specifying the respective competences.

"Declaration of duties" / last paragraph

“The journalist worthy of the name considers it his duty to faithfully respect the fundamental rules described in the Declaration of duties. Furthermore, in his professional activity, while respecting the laws of each country, he only accepts the judgment of other journalists, through the Press Council or another body entitled to rule on matters of professional ethics. In this field he does not admit any interference by the state or other organizations ”.

This last paragraph of the "Declaration of duties" will be moved to the end of the Preamble. Professional ethics does not place the journalist above the law, nor does it remove him from the interventions of democratically and juridically legitimated courts or authorities.

"Declaration of rights" / letter c (change of editorial policy)

“Right [of the journalist] to refuse any directive or interference that contravenes the editorial line of the information body for which he works. This editorial line must be communicated to him in writing before hiring. The unilateral modification or revocation of the editorial policy is unlawful and constitutes a breach of contract".

The parties recommend that the company's editorial policy be established in writing, as it represents an essential basis for the editorial staff's activity.

The modification of the line is allowed, but it can frustrate an important condition for carrying out the editorial work (conscience clause). An agreement has to be found between the social partners, the company and/or the signatories of the individual contracts.

"Declaration of rights" / letter d (participation rights)

Right to know [by the journalist] the property relations of his employer. As a member of an editorial board, he must be informed and consulted in good time before any important decision that has an influence on the progress of the company. Members of an editorial board must in particular be consulted before any final decision which has consequences for the composition or organization of the editorial board.

In order to make ownership relationships ethically transparent, the parties recommend that media companies inform their collaborators, both at the time of hiring and subsequently informing them of important changes, especially regarding changes to the ownership structure.

The parties reaffirm the principle of consultation before important decisions within the company, according to Articles 330b CO, 333g CO and Article 10 of the Participation Act. The right of the editorial board to express itself is particularly indicated in cases where decisions have direct effects on employees.

"Declaration of rights" / letter f (collective agreement)

[Journalist's] right to working conditions clearly defined in a collective agreement. In the collective agreement it must be established that no prejudice can derive to the journalist from the activities he carries out for professional organizations.

The parties recognize the principle of social partnership, in the sense that the negotiation is not only individual. The publishers and SRG SSR respect the freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining.

Journalists cannot claim a collective bargaining agreement by filing a complaint with the Press Council. Instead, they have the option of appealing to the Press Council if working conditions directly lead them to commit ethical misconduct.

Directive 1.1 – Respect for the truth

The search for truth is the basis of information. It concerns the careful examination of accessible and available data, respect for the integrity of documents (texts, sounds, images), verification and correction of errors. These aspects are considered below, in numbers 3, 4 and 5 of the "Declaration".

Directive 2.1 – Freedom of information

Freedom of information is the most important condition of the search for truth. It is the duty of every journalist to defend this principle, individually and collectively. The protection of this freedom is protected by numbers 6, 8, 10 and 11 of the "Declaration".

Directive 2.2 – Pluralism of opinions

Pluralism of opinions contributes to the defense of freedom of information. Guaranteeing pluralism is necessary in the presence of situations of media monopoly.

Directive 2.3 – Distinction between facts and comments

The journalist must put the public in a position to distinguish the fact from the evaluation or comment on the fact itself.

Directive 2.4 – Public functions

As a rule, the exercise of the journalistic profession is not compatible with the assumption of public functions. However, this incompatibility is not absolute: particular circumstances may justify a journalist's political commitment. In this case the two areas must be kept separate and the public must be informed. Conflicts of interest harm the reputation of the media and the dignity of the profession. The rule extends by analogy to private commitments that directly or indirectly interfere with the exercise of the journalistic profession.

Directive 2.5 – Exclusive contracts

Exclusive contracts with an informant must not concern situations or events of salient importance for public information or the formation of public opinion. When they determine the formation of situations of monopoly, such as to preclude access to information to other organs, they are detrimental to the freedom of the press.

Directive 3.1 – Sources of information

The journalist's first duty is to ascertain the origin of information and to check its veracity. Mention of the source is normally desirable, in the interest of the public. The mention is indispensable when it is necessary to understand the news, except in the case in which there is a predominant interest in keeping it confidential.

Directive 3.2 – Press releases

Communications emanating from the authorities, political parties, associations, companies or other interest groups must be clearly indicated as such.

Directive 3.3 – Archival documents

Archival documents must be explicitly marked, if necessary with an indication of the date of first publication. It should also be assessed whether the indicated person is always in the same situation and whether his consent also applies to the new publication.

Directive 3.4 – Illustrations

The public must be able to distinguish illustrations or filmed sequences with symbolic value, i.e. showing people or situations with no direct relationship to the themes, people or context of specific information. As such they must be marked and clearly distinguishable from the images that directly document a situation covered by the service.

Directive 3.5 – Fictional sequences and reconstructions

Television images or sequences, in which actors play the part of real people being reported, must be clearly marked as such.

Directive 3.6 – Assembly

Montages of photographs or images are justified to the extent that they serve to explain a fact, illustrate a hypothesis, maintain critical distance, or if they contain elements of satire. In any case they must be reported as such, to avoid any risk of confusion.

Directive 3.7 – Surveys

By communicating the results of a survey to the public, media outlets must enable the public to evaluate its significance. At the very least, the number of people questioned, their representativeness, the margin of error, the date of the survey and who promoted it should be specified. It should be evident from the text what kind of questions have been asked. An embargo on the publication of opinion polls before elections or popular votes is not compatible with freedom of information.

Directive 3.8 – Right to be heard in the event of serious allegations *

Based on the principle of fairness, knowing the different points of view of the actors involved is an integral part of the profession of journalist. If the allegations made are serious, journalists have a duty, in accordance with the principle "audiatur et altera pars", to give those concerned the opportunity to express their views. Allegations are considered serious if they depict gross misconduct or could otherwise seriously damage someone's reputation.

Persons subject to serious allegations must be informed in detail of the criticisms against them intended for publication; they must also have an adequate period of time to be able to take a position.

In quantitative terms, this stance need not necessarily be given the same space as the criticisms concerning it. However, it must be reported fairly throughout the article. If interested parties do not wish to take a position, this should be indicated in the text.

Directive 3.9 – Listening; Exceptions *

Exceptionally, listening to the criticized part can be omitted:

whether serious allegations are based on publicly available official sources (e.g. court rulings).

if a charge and the related position statement have already been published. In this case, the previous statement of position must also be reported together with the charge.

if an overriding public interest justifies it.

Directive 4.1 – Concealed identity

It is considered unfair to disguise one's status as a journalist in order to obtain information, photographs, audio, visual or written documents, which one intends to disclose.

Directive 4.2 – Fair searches

Discreet searches are permitted, notwithstanding Directive 4.1, when the publication or dissemination of the data collected is of an overriding public interest and there is no other way to obtain it. They are also permitted - provided there is an overriding public interest - when the filming could endanger the journalist or totally distort the behavior of the persons filmed. Particular care must be taken to protect the personality of individuals who happen to be on the scene of the event. In any case, the journalist has the right to conscientious objection when asked, in these exceptional cases, to resort to unfair methods to obtain information.

Directive 4.3 – Paid informers

Paying an informant goes beyond the rules of the profession and is, as a rule, not admissible, as it risks distorting the content and not just the free flow of information. The exception is given in case of overriding public interest. We do not allow the purchase of information or images from people involved in legal proceedings. The case of overriding public interest is still an exception, and to the extent that the information cannot be otherwise obtained.

Directive 4.4 – The embargo

The embargo (which consists of a temporary ban on the publication of a piece of news or a document) must be respected when it concerns future information (for example a speech not yet delivered) or is intended to protect legitimate interests from a publication premature. Temporary bans on publication for advertising purposes are not permitted. When an editorial team considers the embargo unjustified, it is required to inform the applicant of its intention to publish the news or document, so that he can report it to the other media.

Directive 4.5 – The interview

The interview is based on an agreement between two parties, who determine the rules. If it is subject to pre-conditions (for example, the prohibition of asking certain questions) the public must be informed at the time of publication or dissemination. In principle, interviews must be authorised. Without the explicit agreement of the interviewee, journalists are not allowed to turn a conversation into an interview.

In authorizing the publication, the interviewee must not make substantial modifications to the recorded text (for example, modifying its meaning, deleting or adding questions); however, it can correct obvious errors. Even where the interview is greatly abbreviated, the interviewee must be able to recognize his statements in the summarized text. If there is disagreement, the journalist has the right to renounce publication or to give transparency to what happened. When there is agreement on a corrected text there can be no going back to previous versions.

Directive 4.6 – Information interviews

The journalist must inform his interlocutor on how he intends to use the information gathered during a simple informational interview. The things said during the interview can be elaborated and abbreviated as long as the meaning is not distorted. The person interviewed must know that she can reserve the right to authorize the text of her statements that the journalist intends to publish.

Directive 4.7 – Plagiarism

Plagiarism consists in the pure and simple reproduction, without indication of the source, of a piece of news, a clarification, a comment, an analysis, or any other information published by a colleague or by another media outlet. As such it is an act of disloyalty towards colleagues.

Directive 5.1 – The duty to rectify

Rectification is a service rendered to the truth. The journalist immediately and spontaneously rectifies the incorrect information given by him. The duty of rectification concerns the facts and not the judgments expressed on ascertained facts.

Directive 5.2 – Letters from readers and online comments

The rules of ethics also apply to letters from readers and online comments. Freedom of opinion should be given the widest space in this section. The editorial staff can only intervene in the event of obvious violations of the "Declaration of the Duties and Rights of the Journalist".

Letters and online comments can be reworked and shortened when the right of the editorial staff to intervene in this sense is specified at the head of the column. Transparency requires that this editorial right be made explicit. Letters and online comments whose integral publication has been requested cannot be abbreviated: they are published as such or they are refused.

Directive 5.3 – Signing letters from readers and online comments

In principle, letters and online comments must be signed. They may only be published anonymously in exceptional cases, for example to protect interests worthy of protection (privacy, protection of sources).

In discussion forums based on immediate spontaneous reactions, it is possible to waive the identification of the author, if the editorial staff checks the comment beforehand and verifies that it does not contain any offenses against the honor or discriminatory comments.

Directive 6.1 – Editorial secrecy

The professional duty to maintain editorial secrecy is more extensive than the recognition not to testify in court that the law recognizes to the journalist. Editorial secrecy protects material sources (notes, addresses, sound or visual recordings) and protects informants, as long as they have agreed to communicate with the journalist on the condition that their identity is not disclosed.

Directive 6.2 – Exceptions

Regardless of the exceptions that the law provides as restrictions to its right not to testify, the journalist is always required to weigh the public's right to information and any other interests worthy of protection. As far as possible, the weighting must take place before, and not after, the assumption of the commitment to respect the confidentiality of the source. In extreme cases, the journalist is dispensed from also respecting this commitment: in particular when he becomes aware of particularly serious crimes (or their imminence), or of attacks on the internal and external security of the State.

Directive 7.1 – Protection of the private sphere

Everyone, including celebrities, has the right to have their privacy protected. Without the consent of the interested parties, the journalist is not permitted to make audio or visual recordings in the private sphere (this out of respect for the right to one's word and one's image). In the private sphere, any nuisance should also be avoided, such as sneaking into the house, pursuit, stakeouts, telephone harassment.

People who have not given their consent may be photographed or filmed in public spaces only if they are not given special prominence in the image. In public events and if a public interest is given, it is instead allowed to report with images and sound.

Directive 7.2 – Identification

The journalist always compares the public's right to information and the right of people to the protection of their private sphere. The mention of names and/or identification of the person is permitted:

• if, in relation to the subject matter of the service, the person appears in public or otherwise consents to publication;
• if the person is commonly known to public opinion and the service refers to this condition;
• if he holds a political office or a leading position in the State or in society, and the service refers to this condition;
• if the mention of the name is necessary to avoid a misunderstanding prejudicial to third parties;
• if the mention of the name or identification is otherwise justified by an overriding public interest.
• If the interest in protecting people's privacy outweighs the public's interest in identification, the journalist waives the publication of names and other indications that allow it to strangers or people not belonging to the family or to their social or professional background , and would therefore only be informed by the media.

Directive 7.3 – Children

Children, even those of celebrities or otherwise the focus of media attention, need special protection. The utmost restraint is demanded in searches and reports relating to violent acts involving children (whether as victims, perpetrators or witnesses).

Directive 7.4 – Judicial reporting, presumption of innocence and resocialisation

In judicial reporting, the journalist uses particular caution in mentioning names and in identifying people. He takes into account the presumption of innocence and, in the event of a conviction, respects the relatives of the convict and takes into account his chances of re-socialization.

Directive 7.5 – Right to be forgotten

There is a right of the condemned to be forgotten. This right is even more valid in the event of abandonment of the proceedings and acquittal. However, the right to be forgotten is not absolute: the journalist can adequately refer to previous proceedings if an overriding public interest justifies it, for example in the case in which there is a relationship between the person's past behavior and the facts to which the report refers.

The “right to be forgotten” also applies to online media and digital archives. Upon justified request, the editors must check whether a subsequent anonymization or updating of the data existing in the electronic archive is required. In case of correction, the editors have to make an additional annotation, the previous version cannot simply be replaced. Unsubscribe requests must be rejected. Furthermore, journalists are required to check the sources found on the internet and in archives in a particularly critical way.

Directive 7.6 – Non-place, abandonment and acquittal

The breadth and relevance of reports relating to non-proceedings, abandonments or acquittals must be in an adequate relationship with previous reports.

Directive 7.7 – Sexual offences

In the case of crimes relating to the sexual sphere, the journalist takes particular account of the victim's interest and does not provide elements that allow identification.

Directive 7.8 – Emergencies, diseases, wars and conflicts

The journalist uses the utmost restraint when reporting on people in stressful situations, in shock or in mourning. The same restraint should be used towards families and relatives. To carry out searches on site, in hospitals or similar institutions, the consent of those responsible must be obtained. Images of wars, conflicts, acts of terrorism and other emergencies can have the dignity of historical documents. However, a real public interest in publication must always be taken into account, to be compared with other legitimate interests, for example:

• the risk of offending the privacy of the people portrayed or the sensitivity of those who see them;
• respect for the peace of the deceased portrayed.

Reserving cases of public interest, the journalist makes use of images in which a deceased is highlighted only if the relatives give their explicit consent. The rule also applies if these images are disseminated during funerals or made public during a commemoration.

Directive 7.9 – Suicides

Faced with a suicide, the journalist uses the utmost restraint. It can be reported:

• if the act aroused a particular emotion in the audience;
• if a public person takes his own life. In the case of lesser-known people, suicide must at least be related to their public function;
• if the victim or his relatives have spontaneously exposed themselves to public opinion;
• if the gesture is in relation to a crime reported by the police;
• if the act was demonstrative in nature or intended to raise public awareness of an unresolved issue;
• if it has given rise to a public discussion;
• if the news makes it possible to rectify rumors or accusations in circulation.

In any case, the service must be limited to the information necessary to understand the fact, excluding details relating to the intimate sphere or such as to lead to contempt for the person. To prevent the danger of emulation, the journalist does not give precise information on how the person took his own life.

Directive 8.1 – Respect for dignity

Information cannot disregard respect for the dignity of people. This dignity must be continually compared with the right to information. The public too has the right to have their dignity respected, and not just the people being informed.

Directive 8.2 – Non-discrimination

The mention of ethnic or national belonging, origin, religion, sexual orientation, or skin color can have a discriminatory effect, especially when it generalizes negative value judgments and consequently reinforces certain prejudices against minorities. The journalist will therefore be attentive to the risk of discrimination contained in the news and measure its proportionality.

Directive 8.3 – Protection of victims

When reporting on dramatic events or violence, the journalist must accurately balance the public's right to information and the interests of the victim and the people involved. The journalist must avoid giving the fact sensational relief, in which the person is reduced to an object. This is especially true when the subjects are dying, suffering, or dead, and when the description and the images, due to the abundance of details, the duration or the size of the footage, exceed the limit of necessary and legitimate public information.

Directive 8.4 – Images of war or conflict

The dissemination of photographs or films of wars and conflicts must also take into account the following considerations:

• Are the people portrayed identifiable as individuals?
• does the publication offend their dignity as persons?
• if the fact is historical, is there no other way to document it?

Directive 8.5 – Images of accidents, catastrophes, crimes

The dissemination of photographs or footage of accidents, catastrophes or crimes must respect human dignity, also taking into account the situation of relatives or relatives. This is especially true in regional or local information.

Directive 9.1 – The independence of the journalist

Freedom of the press requires the independence of journalists. This goal requires constant effort. Personal invitations and gifts must respect the sense of proportion. This applies to both professional and non-professional relationships. Research and publication of information should not be conditioned on accepting invitations or gifts.

Directive 9.2 – Links of interest

Economic and financial journalism is particularly exposed to the offer of benefits or access to privileged information. The journalist cannot use to his own advantage (or let third parties enjoy it) advances received according to his profession. When he has interests (personal or family) in companies or securities in potential conflict with his independence, he must give up writing about them. Nor must he accept advantages in exchange for professional services, even if the objective of the advantage offered is not a compliant treatment.

Directive 10.1 – Separation of editorial and advertising

A clear separation between the editorial part, respectively the program and advertising, including paid content or content made available by third parties, is necessary for the credibility of the media. Advertisements, advertising broadcasts and contents paid for or made available by third parties must formally be clearly distinguishable from the editorial part. If visually or acoustically they are not clearly recognizable as such, they must be explicitly designated as advertising. The journalist is not allowed to violate this distinction by inserting parasitic advertising in editorial services.

Directive 10.2 – Sponsoring, press trips, mixed forms of editorial/advertising

If an editorial service is sponsored, the name of the sponsor must be indicated and the free choice of topics and their elaboration by the editorial team guaranteed. In the case of press trips, it must be indicated who bears the costs. Here too editorial freedom must be guaranteed.

Editorial services (for example, services that "accompany" an advertisement) are not permitted as "counterpart" for advertisements or advertising broadcasts.

Directive 10.3 – Costume or consultancy services; presentation of brands and products

The editorial freedom in the choice of topics also applies to the sections on lifestyle or consumer advice. The ethical rules also apply to the presentation of consumer goods.

The uncritical or highly laudatory presentation of consumer goods, the more frequent mention of products or services than necessary and the simple reproduction of advertising slogans in the editorial part undermine the credibility of the media and journalists.

Directive 10.4 – Public Relations

The journalist does not write texts tied to interests (advertising or public relations) that could compromise his independence. The situation is particularly delicate when it comes to issues that he deals with professionally. He does not privilege reporting the events of which his publisher is a sponsor or media partner.

Directive 10.5 – Boycotts

The journalist defends the freedom of information in the event of actual or potential prejudice by private interests, in particular in the event of a boycott or threat of a boycott of advertising. Pressure or actions of this kind must, in principle, be made public.

Directive a.1 – Indiscretions

The media is allowed to disseminate rumors based on rumors provided that:

• the source of the whistleblower is known to the newspaper or other media;
• the content is of public interest;
• the publication does not affect extremely important interests, such as rights worthy of protection, secrets, etc.;
• there are no overriding reasons to defer publication;
• the indiscretion was released freely and on purpose.

Directive a.2 – Private companies

The fact that a company is private does not exclude it from journalistic research, if its economic or social importance is significant for a particular region.

These Directives were adopted by the Swiss Press Council in its founding session on 18 February 2000 and revised by the same Council on 9 November 2001, 28 February 2003, 7 July 2005, 16 September 2006, 24 August 2007, 3 September 2008, on September 2, 2009, on September 2010, 2011, on July 27, 2012 (adaptation of the translation of the Italian text), on September 19, 2013, on September 25, 2014, on September 18, 2017 and on May 2017, XNUMX (entry into force on the first July XNUMX).

The revised (3.8) or slightly adapted (3.9) Directive, marked with an asterisk, enters into force on 2023 May XNUMX