[Wamvan] Fwd: WACC: WACC calls for code of ethics for citizen journalism

[Frieda Werden]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <News at waccglobal.org>
Date: Wed, May 2, 2012 at 5:38 PM
Subject: WACC: WACC calls for code of ethics for citizen journalism
To: wings at wings.org


News Release

World Press Freedom Day: WACC calls for code of ethics for citizen
journalism

On World Press Freedom Day 3 May 2012, WACC President Dr Dennis Smith
and General Secretary Dr. Rev Karin Achtelstetter invite members and
partners to work towards an international code of ethics for citizen
journalism.

WACC (The World Association for Christian Communication) is
celebrating the importance of press freedom and remembering
journalists whose lives are threatened in the course of their
profession.

“We urge media practitioners – professional and citizen
journalists –collectively to find common ground in efforts to agree
on professional standards and codes to guide the practice of
journalism. An international code of ethics for citizen journalism
would provide a much needed framework for new voices working to
transform societies”, they write in an open letter to members and
partners.

The theme for this year’s World Press Freedom day is “New Voices:
Media Freedom Helping to Transform Societies”.

In the open letter, Smith and Achtelstetter draw attention to the
transformative power of new media technologies and social media. They
cite the ongoing uprisings in the Middle-East which highlight “the
potential of citizen journalism to counter attacks on freedom of
expression and freedom of the press.”

However, they caution that while emerging media technologies and
social media platforms offer new channels for increased information
flows and strengthening communication rights, using them demands
greater responsibility. “Part of that responsibility is developing
and adapting professional standards to guide journalistic practice,”
they say.

WACC believes that freedom of expression and freedom of the press are
basic human rights. Media independence and pluralism strengthen
democratic processes and promote both government accountability and
citizen participation. WACC’s new Strategic Plan 2012-2016 focuses
especially on the role communication rights play in giving voice to
poor, marginalized, excluded and dispossessed people and communities.

Read the full letter here...
<
http://www.waccglobal.org/images/stories/news/wacc/world%20press%20freedom%20day%202012-open%20letter%20to%20wacc%20members%20and%20partners.pdf
>



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-- 
Frieda Werden, Series Producer
WINGS: Women's International News Gathering Service www.wings.org
<http://www.wings.org>
https://www.facebook.com/wingsradio
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