By Bruno Waterfield - 8th February 2006
Journalists have warned the EU off any rush moves to a code of conduct following the Muslim cartoons controversy.
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) responded to reports – first covered on EUpolitix – that new rules covering media coverage of religion and Islam could be on the way.
IFJ general secretary Aidan White stressed that plans for a media and religious community summit on press coverage of sensitive religious were ongoing before the cartoons row.
And, he insisted the European commission had been warned off any moves towards ethics rules for journalists.
“Reports that the EU is getting into the business of trying to prepare an ethical code for journalists are plain wrong,” he said.
“We have already made it clear to Brussels officials that this will be unacceptable to everyone in media and they have agreed to encourage a professional dialogue but not to start drawing up codes or guidelines. That is the responsibility of media professionals alone.”
The IFJ and European broadcasters met with European justice commissioner Franco Frattini late last year to express concern over his calls for a voluntary code of conduct.
“We have already made it abundantly clear that ethical issues must be left to media professionals without any political interference. As far as we are concerned this principle has been agreed,” said White.
The IFJ's regional organisation the European Federation of Journalists has encouraged Frattini to “support a professional dialogue among media professional groups”.
Have your say...
Please enter your comments below.