New Journalists’ Code: Respect for Dignity, Gender-Sensitive Language, and No Reporting from Funerals

(Source: Euronews) Journalistic associations have adopted the Code of Journalists of Serbia, introducing a new chapter—Respect for Dignity—which includes guidelines on reporting about minors and marginalized groups such as persons with disabilities, national minorities, and the LGBT community.

A new provision states that “journalists do not report from funerals, except in the case of high-profile public figures.” The new code also differs from the previous one by introducing the right to be forgotten, as well as regulations on the use of artificial intelligence and social media.

Gender-Sensitive Language

Journalists are now encouraged to use gender-sensitive language, such as journalists and female journalists, psychologist and female psychologist, playwright and female playwright, etc. However, those involved in drafting the code emphasize that these are merely guidelines, and there will be no penalties for non-compliance.

“The Journalists’ Code is not a criminal law. It is not a list of prohibitions or prescribed fines. It is a document meant to uphold certain values and principles. We believe that journalists should respect these norms. For example, if I tell you that I want to be referred to as ‘Secretary-General’ in the feminine form, rather than the masculine, it would be appropriate for you to acknowledge that. Of course, you don’t have to, and no one will fine you for it. But this is a principle that journalists should follow,” said Gordana Novaković, Secretary-General of the Press Council, in an interview with Euronews Serbia.

Media Divide Over Gender-Sensitive Language

The debate over gender-sensitive language has been ongoing since the adoption of the Gender Equality Law, which was later suspended by the Constitutional Court. As before, part of the media community remains opposed to politically correct language.

“I am personally very skeptical about the use of gender-sensitive language. It is clumsy, as seen in the very title of this code. The most authoritative institution on language in Serbia, the Serbian Language Institute of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts (SANU), has deemed this policy inappropriate and destructive to the Serbian language. This seems to me like pressure on media editorial policies, and it didn’t just emerge with this ethical code,” journalist Filip Rodić told Euronews Serbia.

Independence from Media Owners’ Influence

Unlike the previous code, the new version explicitly states that journalists must not prioritize the interests of media owners over their responsibility to the public. The inclusion of this clause suggests that, alongside political pressures, journalists increasingly face pressure from owners whose interests often conflict with professional standards.

“We believe that media owners and publishers are exerting growing pressure to shape content according to their interests. We thought it was necessary to reinforce this provision,” said Novaković.

Right to Be Forgotten

The new code also introduces the so-called right to be forgotten, allowing media outlets to remove certain personal information upon request if it infringes on someone’s rights. Editors are instructed to consider the significance and public role of the person involved when making such decisions.

However, some critics warn of potential abuses.

“There is a lot of room for manipulation here. On one hand, we talk about confronting the past; on the other, we selectively choose what to forget. This reminds me of the Panama Papers leak, where documents were selectively published to suit certain interests, unlike WikiLeaks, which released everything transparently. I think we can expect similar selectivity with this provision,” added Rodić.

No Reporting from Funerals

Another significant new provision states that journalists should not report from funerals unless they involve high-profile public figures. According to the Press Council, this rule aims to curb invasive reporting, particularly in cases involving children, a practice that has become widespread in Serbian media.

Although the code is not legally binding, the Press Council will adhere to it when making decisions on journalistic ethics.

“This provision has existed in our guidelines since 2016 under the right to be forgotten, although it was not explicitly named that way. In eight years, we have not received a single complaint about it. The intention is to protect victims. We have seen children dragged through the media in ways that will affect their descendants for generations. I truly believe they should be allowed to erase some of that past,” concluded Novaković.

Author: Pavle Kosić