Journalism ethics and culture - The roots of trust

In the context of information spreading at such a rapid pace as today, the requirements for professional ethics and culture in press activities have become more urgent than ever. Building ethical journalists and cultural press agencies is not only a goal but also an inevitable requirement for the press to maintain its role as a “bridge of information”, the voice of the people and a shock force on the ideological and cultural front.

Professional ethics is the core foundation

The 2016 Press Law stipulates that journalists have the obligation to "be honest in their journalistic activities", "respect human rights and civil rights", and "protect the legitimate interests of organizations and individuals". The 10-article Code of Ethics for Vietnamese Journalists issued by the Vietnam Journalists Association also emphasizes: "Do not take advantage of your profession for personal gain", "Refute false and distorted information", "Preserve the qualities, personality, and reputation of journalists".

In addition to regulating professional ethics for journalists, the Vietnam Journalists Association also encourages press agencies to implement the Code of Conduct for Vietnamese Journalists on Social Media, which emphasizes that journalists need to "share accurate, verified information" and "not post misleading or provocative information".

Journalist Nguyen Thi Thanh Nga

In the current period, these regulations are the “hinges” that keep journalists from “going astray” in their journey to become “secretaries of the times”. The accuracy, transparency and impartiality of journalists in providing information are the “roots” that build trust in the public. When social networks become a place to provide fast, diverse information, sought after by many people, the amount of information becomes increasingly overloaded and superficial. The proliferation of fake news is one of the reasons why readers want to find reliable and reputable sources of information from the press.

However, due to pressure on traffic and information competition, sensational headlines and distortions of the truth for the purpose of attracting readers still occur, affecting genuine journalists and reducing public trust in the press in general and press agencies in particular.

According to the Chairman of the Vietnam Journalists Association of Long An Province, Editor-in-Chief of Long An Newspaper and Radio and Television Station - Le Hong Phuoc, when journalistic ethics are taken lightly, journalists and press agencies deliberately ignore journalistic ethics because of chasing after tastes or material benefits, it will erode public trust. Therefore, building journalistic ethics and cultural press agencies must be the top priority, a prerequisite for journalism in the current period.

“Professional ethics is the core foundation of journalists. In the context of information spreading at a fast and multi-dimensional speed like today, maintaining professional ethics and preserving the qualities of revolutionary journalists is a mandatory requirement to build a transparent, healthy, humane and modern press. Journalists need to be responsible for ensuring that the information provided is reliable and valuable, helping readers distinguish between truth and false information,” Mr. Le Hong Phuoc affirmed.

To do that, every journalist needs to be aware and make efforts in the process of working. Every journalist needs to train himself and maintain journalistic ethics to both affirm his own "brand" and join hands in building a transparent and modern press. Talking about this, journalist Nguyen Thi Thanh Nga (Long An Newspaper and Radio and Television) shared: "In the current trend of information explosion, journalists need to be proactive and alert to be able to provide accurate, objective and honest information. To do that, journalists have no other choice but to go to the field and find out information from many perspectives because sometimes the line between right and wrong is really fragile."

Professional ethics is the core foundation of journalists. In the context of information spreading at a fast speed and in many directions like today, maintaining professional ethics and preserving the qualities of revolutionary journalists is a mandatory requirement to build a transparent, healthy, humane and modern press.

Chairman of Vietnam Journalists Association of Long An province, Editor-in-Chief of Long An Newspaper and Radio and Television Station - Le Hong Phuoc

"Nurturing" true journalists

In addition to the efforts of each individual journalist, the role of the press agency in building journalistic ethics is also very important. This is the environment for forming and developing the professional personality of journalists. Cultural press agencies are places that respect professional ethical standards, protect journalists and reporters in performing their duties properly; at the same time, there is a mechanism for inspection, supervision and strictness with violations and negativity when they occur. Press agencies play an important role in creating conditions for journalists to develop comprehensively in both expertise and professional ethics.

Journalist ethics is the "hinge" that keeps journalists from "going astray" in their journey to become "secretaries of the times" (In photo: Journalists working at an event in the province) (Photo: NSNA Ton That Hung)

At Long An Newspaper and Radio and Television Station, building a cultural press agency is identified as a continuous task, closely linked to the process of content innovation, quality improvement as well as building a healthy and professional working environment. Long An Newspaper and Radio and Television Station focus on building a workplace culture associated with professional ethics and a sense of social responsibility of journalists.

Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Long An Newspaper and Radio and Television Station - Chau Hong Kha said: “At the unit, the criteria of journalistic culture are specified in the content production process, the way of behaving between colleagues and the community. The team of journalists of Long An Newspaper and Radio and Television Station are not only trained professionally but also participate in political and ideological activities, update professional ethics regulations, and codes of conduct for journalists. The Editorial Board focuses on building a spirit of solidarity, sharing, encouraging the spirit of learning and learning so that each cadre, civil servant, and employee is aware of their role in contributing to building a truly healthy, civilized, and humane press agency.”

Building the ethics of journalists and cultural press agencies requires close coordination between individuals and organizations. The efforts and self-discipline of each journalist must always go hand in hand with the support and facilitation of press agencies so that the team of journalists can fulfill their mission in communicating truthfully, promptly and properly orienting public opinion./.

Moc Chau

Source: https://baolongan.vn/dao-duc-va-van-hoa-bao-chi-goc-re-cua-niem-tin-a197412.html