Fast, free, fair.
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Event announcement
PUBLIC DISCUSSION: COMPLIANCE WITH SERBIA’S JOURNALISM CODE
BY DAILY NEWSPAPERS
Details: Join us for a public discussion hosted by the Press Council on how daily newspapers have adhered to Serbia’s Journalism Code. The event will feature journalists Bojan Cvejić and Vera Didanović, moderated by Gordana Novaković, Secretary General.
Date & Time: January 23, 2025, at 12 noon
Location: Press Center, Knez Mihailova 6/III
Summary: In the last six months of the previous year, nine daily newspapers were found to have violated the Journalists’ Code of Ethics nearly 6,000 times across over 4,000 articles. The most frequent breaches involved truthfulness in reporting and privacy rights, particularly in political and crime coverage. These violations were also the subject of numerous complaints lodged with the Complaints Commission.
For a decade, the Press Council has meticulously monitored compliance with the Journalism Code among nationally circulated daily newspapers. From July to December 2024, infractions were documented in Alo, Blic, Danas, Večernje novosti, Informer, Kurir, Nova, Politika, and Srpski telegraf.
A New Code of Journalists’ of Serbia Comes Into Effect
The Journalists’ Association of Serbia (UNS) has adopted a new Code of Journalists of Serbia during its Annual Assembly, following its prior adoption by the Assembly of the Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (NUNS).
Key changes in the new Code include:
- Respect for Dignity:
A new chapter focuses on reporting about victims of accidents, public figures, minors, people with disabilities, the LGBTQ community, and minority groups. Additionally, journalists are prohibited from reporting on funerals unless they involve public figures. - Artificial Intelligence and Social Media:
The Code specifies that content created using artificial intelligence must be editorially controlled, and the public must be informed about its use. Journalists must exercise caution when using content from social media and are required to obtain consent for publishing private information. - Journalistic Independence:
The Code emphasizes journalists’ independence from corporate interests, political pressures, and commercial influences. - Privacy and Personal Data:
Public figures are clearly defined, and the right to personal data protection is emphasized. Journalists are prohibited from trading personal data. - Gender-Sensitive Language:
Journalists are encouraged to use gender-sensitive language and ensure the inclusion of diverse social groups in discussions during reporting. - Digital Challenges:
Guidelines for comment moderation and mandatory disclosure of moderation practices have been introduced.
These changes reflect an adaptation to new ethical dilemmas in the digital environment, while the Code continues to emphasize fundamental journalistic values—truthfulness, accountability, privacy protection, and respect for dignity. The previous Code was adopted in 2006.
The new Code of Journalists’ of Serbia can be accessed at the following LINK.
The Complaints Commission of the Press Council will begin applying the new Code in January 2025.
ABOUT US
The Press Council is an independent, self-regulatory body that brings together publishers, owners of print and online media, news agencies, and media professionals. It has been established for monitoring the observance of the Journalist’s Code of Ethics, solving complaints made by individuals and institutions related to media content. The Press Council is also authorized to mediate between aggrieved individuals, institutions, and editorial staff, and to pronounce public warnings in cases when determined that the violation of ethical standards as defined by the Journalist’s Code of Ethics has occurred. The Press Council is engaged in the education of media professionals to act in accordance with the Journalist’s Code of Ethics and works to strengthen the role of media in Serbia.
We strive for responsible and professional journalism. Our mission is to protect the citizens of Serbia from manipulation in print and online media and to raise the quality of journalism in Serbia. We’ll act in accordance with the Journalist’s Code of Ethics and our own conscience, in compliance with the law, and under the motto: Fast, free, fair!
