Bribery, both blatant and subtle, is another aspect of
the Corporatist stranglehold on the "US mainstream
news media." But it is not talked about, or
investigated, often enough...Here is an encouraging
story...Yes, it's the Media, Stupid.
Institute for Public Relations: Six global
organizations have 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, 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. "We started this
campaign with the goal of creating greater
transparency and eliminating unethical practices in
dealings between news sources and the media."
Break the Corporatist Stranglehold on the "US
mainstream news media," Show Up for Democracy in 2004:
Defeat Bush (again!)
http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=139-08132004
Six Global Organizations Join Forces Against Bribery for Media Coverage
8/13/2004 3:46:00 PM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To: National and International desks
Contact: Frank Ovaitt of the Institute for Public
Relations, 703-568-5611 or iprceo@jou.ufl.edu or Dr.
Donald K. Wright of the International Public Relations
Association, 251-380-0850 or DonaldKWright@aol.com
Johann P. Fritz of the International Press Institute,
43-1-512-90-11 or ipi@freemedia.at or Jeff Lovitt of
Transparency International, 49-30-3438-2045 or
jlovitt@transparency.org or Aidan White of the
International Federation of Journalists, 32-2-235-2200
or aidan.white@ifj.org or Jean Valin of Global
Alliance, 613-957-4215 or jean.valin@justice.gc.ca
LONDON, Aug. 13 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Six global
organizations have 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, 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. "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 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 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, 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
http://www.usnewswire.com/
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