Campaigns
Ethical Journalism Initiative - EJI
Quality Media for Diversity and Pluralism
The Ethical Journalism Initiative (EJI) is a campaign and programme of activity developed by journalists and media professionals to restore values and mission to their profession. It aims to strengthen press freedom, reinforce quality journalism and consolidate editorial independence.
The EJI is launched as journalism adjusts to profound internal changes and as media face the challenge of reporting in an increasingly polarised world, characterised by extremism in religion and culture, public mistrust of traditional politics, and rising anxiety among communities about their future and their relations with their neighbours.
The EJI has been elaborated in the period since the publication of controversial cartoons in Denmark in 2005 and particularly after meetings of journalists and media professionals organised in Europe, the Middle East and Indonesia in 2006 and 2007. Support for these events has been provided by the Governments of Norway and Indonesia, and international organisations including the Council of Europe, the European Commission, and UNESCO.
The EJI strengthens democratic values through promotion of networks for dialogue about the need for ethical journalism. It raises awareness of the role informed journalism and reporting in context plays in creating mutual understanding in the face of division, whether defined by language, culture, ethnicity or religious belief.
The EJI is being launched in 2008. The EJI promotes, reinforces and renews commitment to the following ethical values for journalism:
- To Respect the Truth
- To be Independent and impartial
- To Seek to do no Harm
- To be Open, Transparent and Accountable to Peers
- To act in the Public Interest
The EJI is focused on promoting a regional and global inter-media dialogue as an essential and valuable element in any strategy for peace-building and development.
For Further Information:
International Federation of Journalists
International Press Centre
155 Rue de la Loi, 1040 Brussels, Belgium
Tel : +32 2 235 2209 E-Mail : ifj@ifj.org