WAZ and IFJ/EFJ Core Principles of Co-operation

  • Principle One: Defence of Press Freedom

    Without press freedom and independent journalism there can be no effective scrutiny of democracy and the exercise of power in public life.
  • Principle Two: Quality Journalism is the Essence of Press Freedom:

    Press freedom strongly depends on quality information provided by informed and well trained journalists who are committed to accurate, credible and ethical standards.
  • Principle Three: Media Independence and Duty to Inform

    While journalists must not be subject to undue influence by political, economic and social forces, media have a duty to properly inform people of political process, polity in general and the impact of policy on their lives.
  • Principle Four: Media are a Cornerstone of Democracy:

    Media pluralism, through the provision of diverse opinions, empowers people to take decisions and to understand the reality of the world around them.

  • Principle Five: Global Media have Local Impact:

    Global communications and the development of Internet-based information services, which should be ethical in nature, bring people closer and have local impact. They provide media with fresh opportunities to bridge cultural, social and political divides.

  • Principle Six: Transnational Media and Spreading of Democratic Culture

    Transnational media companies should be subject to democratic scrutiny, and must have clear commitment to editorial independence, pluralism and journalistic freedoms in order to provide intercultural dialogues and strengthen unifying values in countries with different cultural and political traditions.

Bodo Hombach                                                                                                            
Managing Director                                                                                                       
WAZ                                                                                                                                

Aidan White
General Secretary
IFJ/EFJ