Haiti’s media adopt code of ethics with UNESCO’s supportPort-au-Prince, 14 December - The media associations and journalists in Haiti have signed a code of ethics to define the rights and duties of the Haitian press. It was signed on 8 December at UNESCO’s office in Port-au-Prince.  This is the first time a code of ethics has been adopted by the media in Haiti.

UNESCO facilitated a participatory process to develop the code of ethics with leaders of journalists’ associations, media owners and reporters in attendance.  It took a long series of meetings to reach consensus.

The code includes 22 items in a set of ethical guidelines for the media and journalists.  It includes respect for human dignity and privacy, rejection of discrimination, and the presumption of innocence for defendants. The guidelines also state that the media and journalists should refuse to report hatred and confrontation, and encourage instead balanced treatment of information, especially at election time. (Read more)