12 - 18 July 2001
Issue No.542
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Al-Ahram Weekly Online 12 - 18 July 2001 Issue No.542 |
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 | Current issue | Previous issue | Site map | ||
An ethical press
Throughout the region journalism seems to be passing through a critical phase, one of the most noticeable characteristics of which is the prevalence of rampantly partisan criticism going hand in hand with the imposition of restrictions. My generation of writers belonged to an age of greater freedom, but also of greater objectivity and moral responsibility, which is more than can be said for present-day newspapers. No real newspaper survives on sensationalism alone. If this were the case journalism would be a shameful occupation, and inimical to the development of democracy. Yet journalism has always been among the most honourable of professions.
A journalist's loyalty should always lie with truth-telling and the dissemination of accurate information. But how can it be guaranteed that freedom will not become a blanket excuse for carelessness, incompetence and abuse?
I believe that the best form of monitoring is that which comes from within, and I call on the press syndicate to be responsible for providing not only freedom but a guarantee that practising journalists will abide by the moral responsibilities embodied within a self- regulatory code. I feel the syndicate has a great obligation towards realising this goal.
Based on an interview by Mohamed Salmawy.
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