[cr-india] Fwd: [creative-radio] Against Bribery for Media Coverage - Seneca Prof Canadian delegate on committee

[Vickram Crishna]

I wonder if Indian newspapers will dare to carry this news item? Some 
of them have difficulty carrying items that are *not* paid for ;-). 
Radio too is going the same way, even before carrying of 'news' is 
officially sanctioned, due to the onerous and unproductive licensing 
regime. Newspapers don't have the same excuse, since a newspaper 
license costs Rs 100.

But then newspapers don't consume scarce spectrum, acquired (and now 
owned) by the government at great cost. The mai-baap sarkari is 
always fair and equitable.

At 8:31 PM -0600 7/25/04, George Lessard wrote:
>From: infocom at pro.net
>Date: Sun, 25 Jul 2004 9:33:44 PST
>Subject: [aboriginaljournalists] Media Bribery
>
>FYI
>
>Six Global Organizations Join Forces Against Bribery for Media Coverage
>
>
>Seneca prof Canadian delegate on committee
>
>      LONDON, July 25 /CNW/ - Six global organizations today announced
>their support for a set of principles designed to foster greater
>transparency in the dealings between public relations professionals
>and the media, and to end bribery for media coverage throughout the
>world. The organizations are the International Press Institute, the
>International Federation of Journalists, Transparency International,
>the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communications
>Management, the Institute for Public Relations Research and
>Education, and the International Public Relations Association.
>
>      The principles, embodied in the Charter on Media Transparency
>developed by the International Public Relations Association, are that:
>
>      -  News material should appear as a result of the news judgment
>of journalists and editors, and not as a result of any payment in
>cash or in kind, or any other inducements.
>
>      -  Material involving payment should be clearly identified as
>advertising, sponsorship or promotion.
>
>      -  No journalist or media representative should ever suggest that
>news coverage will appear for any reason other than its merit.
>
>      -  When samples or loans of products or services are necessary
>for a journalist to render an objective opinion, the length of time
>should be agreed in advance and loaned products should be returned
>afterward.
>
>      -  The media should institute written policies regarding the
>receipt of gifts or discounted products and services, and journalists
>should be        required to sign the policy.
>
>      "In too many countries, bribery of the news media robs citizens
>of truthful information that they need to make individual and
>community
>decisions," said Dr. Donald K. Wright, 2004 President of the
>International Public Relations Association (IPRA). "We started this
>campaign with the goal of creating greater transparency and
>eliminating unethical practices in dealings between news sources and
>the media."
>
>      The International Public Relations Association formed a committee
>to probe unethical "cash for editorial" practices in the media three
>years ago. David Turnbull, the Canadian delegate on the committee,
>said: "Our goal is clear, we are leading a program to eliminate the
>practice worldwide."
>
>      "Zakazukha - a Russian term meaning media ask for payment to
>print news releases - must be erased from today's business
>vocabulary," said Turnbull, a professor at Seneca College in Toronto.
>
>      "IPRA believes that public relations has a vital check and
>balance relationship with journalism. It is the responsibility of
>public relations
>practitioners to help keep the media ethical, transparent,
>responsible and accurate, just as the media and the journalism
>profession has a public responsibility to inform and question and
>analyze the behaviors of the organizations and governments advised by
>PR consultants." Professor Turnbull added: "And, in Canada I believe
>this relationship works very well."
>
>      "As far back as 1961 IPRA published our code of professional
>conduct which expressly forbade corruption of the integrity of
>communications
>channels. And, I know the Canadian media also takes precautions to
>ensure that it doesn't happen here," said Turnbull, who is also the
>Canadian chairman of IPRA.
>
>      "The International Press Institute's General Assembly has
>endorsed these principles because all attempts to corrupt the media
>compromise the freedom of expression that protects all other rights,"
>said Johann P. Fritz, Director of the International Press Institute.
>
>      Peter Eigen, Chairman of the Board of Transparency International,
>said, "We have long believed in the power of coalitions to combat
>corruption in all its forms. The media has an important watchdog role
>to hold to account those in positions of power. To be credible in
>this role, it is essential that journalists refuse bribes and the
>corporate sector desists from offering bribes. It is also crucial
>that editors, publishers and media owners give journalists all the
>support they need to implement the media transparency principles
>announced today."
>
>      "Courageous reporters risk life and limb every day to defend
>press freedom and human rights," said Aidan White, General Secretary
>of the
>International Federation of Journalists. "We cannot stand by while
>bribery mocks those sacrifices, anywhere in the world."
>
>      "We represent professional public relations associations in 53
>countries, and we want to bring that grassroots strength to this
>coalition for media transparency," said Jean Valin, Chair of the
>Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communications Management.
>"This is closely linked to ethics in organizations, which is a
>cornerstone of effective and credible communication with the public."
>
>      "Last year the Institute for Public Relations Research and
>Education joined with the International Public Relations Association
>to release a
>comprehensive index that ranks 66 nations for the likelihood that
>print journalists will seek or accept cash for news coverage," said
>Frank Ovaitt, President and CEO-Elect of the Institute. "We continue
>to believe this is a critical issue that serious journalists and
>public relations people must address together."
>
>      The International Public Relations Association is the premier
>association for senior international public relations professionals,
>with over 1000
>members worldwide.
>
>      The International Press Institute is a global organization with
>members in 115 countries dedicated to the promotion and protection of
>press freedom and the improvement of the practices of journalism.
>IPI's membership is made up of editors, media executives and leading
>journalists working for some of the world's most respected media
>outlets.
>
>      The International Federation of Journalists is the world's
>largest organization of journalists. The Federation represents around
>500,000 members in more than 100 countries and promotes international
>action to defend press freedom and social justice through strong,
>free and independent trade unions of journalists.
>
>      Transparency International, founded in Berlin, Germany, is a
>nonprofit worldwide coalition which is committed exclusively to
>fighting corruption. It raises public awareness of the damaging
>impact of corruption on social and economic development, and
>mobilizes the government, private sector and civil society to work
>together.
>
>      The Global Alliance is composed of over 50 member organizations,
>representing more than 150,000 individuals, with a mission to unify
>the
>profession and provide a framework for collaboration among the public
>relations profession and its practitioners throughout the world.
>
>      The Institute for Public Relations Research and Education,
>located at the University of Florida, is dedicated to improving the
>professional practice of public relations through research,
>education, measurement and evaluation. The Institute's study of
>bribery for news coverage can be accessed at:
>http://www.instituteforpr.com/international.phtml?article_id=bribery_index
>
>
>For further information:
>
>Frank Ovaitt, Institute for Public Relations
>Research and Education, (703) 568-5611,
>iprceo at jou.ufl.edu ;
>
>Dr. Donald K. Wright,
>International Public Relations Association, (251) 380-0850,
>DonaldKWright at aol.com ;
>
>Johann P. Fritz, International Press Institute,
>+ 43 1 512 90 11,
>ipi at freemedia.at ;
>
>Jeff Lovitt, Transparency
>International, +49 30 3438 2045,
>jlovitt at transparency.org ;
>
>Aidan White,
>International Federation of Journalists, +32 2 235 2200,
>aidan.white at ifj.org ;
>
>Jean Valin, Global Alliance, (613) 957-4215,
>jean.valin at justice.gc.ca

-- 
Vickram