CI will apply strict sanctions to journalists who commit “serious” violations of the code of conduct

DILI, 25 march 2022 (TATOLI)-The Timor-Leste’s Press Council (CI) will apply strict sanctions to journalists and media who commit “serious” violations of the code of conduct, the media law, election coverage guidelines and social media guidelines for journalism.

This point was one of the statements made by CI, despite not mentioning the names of journalists including the media, whether print, electronic or online media outlet, in front of the journalists, through a press conference held today at the CI building, located in Quintal-boot, Dili, Timor-Leste.

“CI will notify or call the media and journalists who have committed the infraction against the code of journalistic ethics, the media law, election coverage guidelines and social media guidelines for journalism,” The Interim President of the CI, Expedito Dias Ximenes made a comment during the press conference.

“Will maintain communication with the news-room of the media to assure its journalists to continue to comply with self-regulations such as the media law, election coverage guidelines and social media guidelines for journalism during the second-round of the presidential election,” he reiterated.

The Timorese’s Press Council, according to Ximenes, took this position and this action based on the results of the monitoring and analysis carried out throughout the political campaign period and polling day.

The results of monitoring and analysis found by the CI composed of 1) the coverage and publication of news, program and direct-reporting (live streaming) by the media during the political campaign period did not provide opportunities to assess coverage for all candidates, however, they focused only on the great figures and candidates who gained support from political parties.

2) CI was also found some news that were considered sensational and provocative that will not contribute to peace and stability in the country because it is full of the opinions of the journalist or editor, considering them as political propaganda in the period of the presidential election.

3) CI was also found that some media reports were gender insensitive according to the gender role in the context of coverage and publication related to polling day.

4) During the monitoring, CI also identified some journalists who promoted some candidates through comments with a tendency to support some candidates on their social media accounts (Facebook).

The code of conduct

Those who carry out journalistic activity in Timor-Leste undertake to:

Defend the citizen’s right to access information and search for the truth;
Report the facts accurately, accurately, honestly and independently, keeping the difference clear between news and opinion;
Fight all forms of censorship and defend freedom of thought and freedom of expression;
Always obtain information, documents and images in a legal and professional manner, respecting the confidentiality commitments assumed with information sources, namely, “off-the-record”, confidentiality and embargo requests;
Safeguard the defendant’s presumption of innocence until the court decision becomes final and respect the identity of crime victims and their families, with special care to maintain the anonymity of victims of sexual crimes and accused minors;
Confirm and verify the information received before publishing, recognize those that are errors after their publication and correct them immediately, respecting the right of reply of citizens;
Defend equality, not discriminating on the basis of race, ethnicity, belief, language, status socioeconomic, political choice, gender, sex, disability or any other reason;
Respect the private life of all citizens, their right to honor, good name and privacy, except when the defense of the public interest is at stake;
Reject all forms of plagiarism and refuse bribery attempts or any offer that may influence their professional independence. Identify sources of information and always clarify who receive financial support for information shared;
Avoid the unnecessary publication of words, images or sounds that convey sadism or violence against persons or animals and which are of a disturbing nature

The Timorese’s media law

The Timor-Leste media law had published on the Official Gazzete (Jornal da República) in november 19, with the law N.º 5 /2014. The law comprising 54 articles.

The National Congress of Journalists approves a Code of Ethics on 27^th of october 2013 and took place in the hall of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, under the theme “Journalism: a responsible profession.”

In an event jointly organized by the State Secretariat for Media, by the Journalists Association and by the Media Program (funded by the European Union and implemented by the Portuguese Cooperation), Dili received speakers from Portugal, Indonesia and Australia. The aim of the congress was to bring together professional journalists to discuss the challenges, values and ethics inherent to the profession, as well as to adopt a Code of Ethics and a draft for the Press Council Statute.

Election coverage guidelines

When performing their role or activities during elections. Timor-Leste journalists and medial should uphold and consider the ethic practices towards reporting presented as follows:

Journalist and media have an ethic obligation to owe and obey the rule of law, including the code of ethical as guidance throughout the whole election cycle when carrying out their duties.
Timor-Leste’s journalists have civil and political rights to cast their votes in elections and express their opinions. However, they should uphold or maintain independence, impartiality, honestly and balance and avoid political affiliation to political parties or candidates during their duty as journalists.
On the principles of equality and equality, public media must allow every candidate and political party to deliver its vision, mission, and program during the election campaigns. Journalists and media should provide every candidate space to convey their program voters.
Journalist and media should distinguish between and opinion as stipulated in the code of ethics of journalist points 2 “ the opinion of journalist shall only be allowed in the editorial page as a representation of a view in the media and can be published in the editorial opinion.
Yet, media have the right to include political advertisements on their information channels, their journalists and news presenters shall not, directly promote information about political parties or candidates. Moreover, the news segment shall not broadcast political advertisements.
Journalist should not be part of any political campaign teams or become their spokespeople.
Before deploying to perform their journalist activities, media companies must provide their journalists with allowance (per diem) and other basic needs.
Journalism professional should uphold their independence in reporting activities should not become associated with candidates running for presidential elections.
Journalists and media can only publish the actual count results produced by the formal electoral bodies. Such as the technical secretariat for Electoral Administration (STAE) and National Election Commission (CNE).
Journalist and media must avoid publishing news with biased. Sensationalized, or provocative contents and hinder promoting peace, security, and stability during political campaigns and elections.
Journalists and media must avoid publishing news and programs containing discourses expressing hate and encouraging violence, towards a person or group based on their race, ethnicity, region, gender, sexual orientation, political opinions, or disability.
Journalist and media should adhere to journalistic use of social media and verify all its information before using it as a source of information for the news publication.
Journalist should not express their political affiliation or comment on political affairs associated with candidates or parties through social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagran, ect).
Journalist should adhere to Covid preventive guidelines to avoid propagation when carrying ou their duties.
Journalist should promote gender equality and inclusion and avoid prejudices or stereotypes, especially in elections for women’s participation and representation.

Social media guidelines for journalism

The Social media guidelines for journalism provided by CI, describing on chapter II, article 3 (Media conduct) & III, article 4 (Journalist conduct) that:

Media conduct

1.The media conduct as follows:

In relations to the social media content, only information that are newsworthy or worth quoting to be considered as a source of information.
Media needs to get information directly from the sources, and use social media content onlyas additional sources of information.
Media must make sure before handing that social media account as the news-source is credible and clearly identified.
Media should always confirm news information, stated clearly when the news still needs further verification.
Media reserve the right to edit or delete the user generated contents or comments that are deemed inappropriate.

2.Media Manages Its Own Media Social Accounts:

Media must ensure that only designated, and approached social media account manager and or officer that be able to post information on its social media accounts.
Media does not post comments or opinions, except editorial opinions, in its social media accounts.
Media must immediately revoke posting or delete comments that are deemed inappropriate.
Media must immediately correct the information posted that is not accurate.
Media does not post information that contains violence, sadism, and pornography

Journalist conduct

When using social media as news source:

Use social media posting as a news background, not as the main source of information.
Verify the authenticity of the social media accounts that is used as a news source
Confirm directly the veracity of the information posted
Photos, pictures and videos must be checked to ensure authenticity
Must refrain from quoting directly statements that was posted by politicians in their social media accounts.
Must ensure there is balance in quoting political statement when the sources are from politician’s social media accounts.

When posting status or comments in personal social media accounts

Refrain from posting partisan political views or show political affiliation.
Do not post a (tributes and symbols of political parties.
Do not post photos, images, or video that violates the journalist code of ethics.
Do not post ‘statements that are considered hate speech and political statements that threaten public order.
Do not post slander, sadistic and obscene statements
Do not post statements, images, photos or video that shows prejudice and hahed towards certain ethnicity, religion, race, communit5r, or encourage acts of violence.
Do not discriminate on the basis gender and language.
Respect the dignity of the weak, the poor, and the mentally or physically disabled or handicapped.
Stated disclaimer when posting sensitive or controversial information.

Meanwhile, the Press Council of Timor-Leste is an independent State institution that plays an important role in accordance with the article 44 of the media law to guarantee freedom of the press and freedom of expression in the country.

Jornalista: José Belarmino de Sá

Editor: Rafy Belo