Code of professional ethics for journalists of azerbaijan

PRİNCİPLE 4: Protection of journalists’ own reputation and of the organization he/she works for

4.1. Journalists shall not accept any personal, political or financial inducements that may impact their ability to provide the public with accurate information; shall not receive expensive gifts; and shall not induce others to serve them for free. Journalists shall not use his/her access to editorial documents and information as a means of obtaining personal gain, especially in respect to information about business performance and financial markets.  Journalist shall avoid covering stories where he/she has a direct personal interest, or should at least declare such personal interests where it is relevant.

4.2. Journalists shall maintain a clear distinction between editorial decision-making and commercial policy of the media entity.  Journalists shall refrain from engaging in activities that can undermine his own reputation or that of the media entity that he/she works for or acts that could weaken the confidence in its objectiveness, from membership to political organizations; and shall not be subject to political or commercial pressures and be independent.

4.3. Journalists shall maintain a clear distinction between editorial content and marketing, advertisements or sponsored materials. Journalists shall have the right to refuse assignments, if such assignments are against the laws and rules of professional conduct.  If a journalist’s opinions have been distorted during the editorial process, the journalist has the right to decline from having the article published under his/her signature. 

4.4. If an editorial secret is not related with violation of the legislation of the Republic of Azerbaijan and this Code, journalists are obliged to protect such secrets. 

4.5. Journalists may not offer the material that he/she has prepared to other parties without prior consent from the management of the media entity that he/she works for.

4.6. Plagiarism is an intolerable act.  Any form of plagiarism under all circumstances is unacceptable.  Journalists shall respect copyright and the terms of copyright agreements.  Journalists shall always acknowledge the source of complete materials or short extracts from other media which may be used without express permission.  Journalist shall only reproduce longer extracts or complete materials from other media with prior permission and with acknowledgement of the author and media.

4.7. Journalists must avoid the use of vulgar expressions, jargons and should try to contribute to enrich and protect the purity of the Azerbaijani language.

4.8. Journalists shall not pay sources for information, but where payment is considered necessary in order to obtain information that the public has a right to know, it shall be made clear in the relevant report that payments have been made.

4.9. Relationships between different media outlets and between media professionals should be characterised by mutual respect and fair competition in order to preserve the integrity of the media.

4.10. The public has the right to be informed about who owns and controls media outlets.

4.11. Journalists shall support media colleagues when they are unfairly attacked or criticised; however, professional solidarity should not be an excuse for suppressing or distorting information.

Infringement of the terms of this Code may only be justified where it can be demonstrated that the relevant publication serves the best interests of the public.

For the purposes of this Code, information ‘of public interest’ should not be confused with information which is ‘interesting to the public’.

A publication is in the public interest only if:

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  It protects health, safety and security;
  
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  It helps the prevention and disclosure of serious crimes and abuse of power;
  
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  It prevents the public from the danger of being seriously misled.