Press Ethics Code (South Korea)
The social mission of Korean journalists is extremely important, all the more so because the nation is confronted with the task of reconstructing the homeland into a democratic, unified, independent country. Thoroughly aware of this, Korean journalists have organised the Korean Newspaper Editors Association chiefly among the editors of daily newspapers and news agencies across the country and have adopted the Press Ethics Code in order to rectify press ethics and firmly uphold their journalistic integrity.
Journalists have pledged themselves to be faithfully to the Code and to fulfil the people’s expectation of good journalism. Not only editors but all engaged with the press shall abide by this Code. Since this Code calls for voluntary implementation, there is no authoritative organisation which enforces it. However, if newspapers and journalists are unfaithful to the Code, they will surely lose public support and thereby endanger their very survival.
Freedom
Freedom of the press, one of the most basic rights of human beings, must be protected so as to satisfy the people’s right to know. The press has complete freedom to report and comment. Although any violation of public interest is subject to control under general law, there can be no law restricting or interfering with the freedom of the press. Freedom of the press, of course, includes freedom to criticise and oppose any such law.
Responsibility
The press, being a social instrument, has a special public position, and journalist command a unique social standing. However, this position results only if the press gives the public a true picture of affairs and the public uses this picture as the basis for their judgements. Therefore, the most important responsibility of the press is to faithfully serve the public interest based on the realisation that the public relies upon the press. This responsibility also constitutes the most important reason for preserving the press’s special public position. The press displays its special position concretely by being always dauntless in the pursuit of justice, courageous in opposing injustice and in siding with and speaking for the weak.
Reporting and Commenting
The speedy and faithful dissemination of facts is vial to reporting. Therefore, the facts subject to reporting must be limited to those whose value can be verified in terms of their source and content. In commenting, a journalist’s independent beliefs and opinions should be expressed fairly and courageously; in particular, any prejudice that deliberately distorts or evades the truth should be guarded against. Journalists should be sincere towards the public by being as thorough and correct in reporting and commenting as possible.
Independence
The press should stand on the principle that all persons are equal before the law, and should not be swayed by any political, economic or other social prejudices. At the same time, the press cannot be used privately for individual interests running counter to the public interest or for worthless or immoral purposes. Journalists cannot escape responsibility simply because others ordered or requested special treatment.
Honour and Freedom
The press should respect the honour of others and cannot violate individual rights or sentiment out of curiosity or evil intent. In parallel with the demand for the freedom of the press, the press should have the magnanimity to recognise the freedom claimed by others.
Dignity
A high degree of dignity and pride is required of the press because of its public position In particular, vulgar conduct or any activity resulting in vulgarity cannot be tolerated.
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