The substance and foundation of journalism remains strong, even during a period of constant digital change with audiences migrating across networks. The metamorphosis of journalistic work is a process that the National Academy of Journalism seeks to accompany from within: its members met to elaborate 20 fundamental principles around the value of the profession.
The academic institution chaired by Joaquín Morales Solá delved into the issues that closely challenge professional journalism as a result of the great development of the digital world.
Today, the media scene is full of immediacy, of massiveness. And the values that stand out throughout the list of principles try to give the journalist a framework to move with freedom and professionalism.
Among the criteria that must be taken into account, the world of social networks stands out. And it is that the information that reaches the journalist through this type of channels, must have the same treatment of verification and contrast as those arising from traditional sources of information.
Among other principles that are sustained in the master bases is the importance of honest journalism with professionals willing to report based on truth.
Likewise, emphasis is placed on journalistic independence, especially vis-à-vis other powers, both public and private.
On the other hand, it does not leave aside those values necessary in the formation of a professional journalist, including: professional secrecy; the preservation of the right to privacy of sources and their care; the responsibility to report possible errors to the audience; the rejection of plagiarism, bribes and privileges for a job.
In the management of sources there is a particular emphasis, since it is vital that the journalist, before releasing the information, resorts to the persons or entities accused of participating in a crime so that they can give their vision of the facts.
Another point to highlight within the list of principles of the National Academy of Journalism is the one that refers to the care that the journalist must have in his daily life with what he exposes in social networks: in order not to fall into possible inconveniences, it is advisable to distinguish one's own opinion from the information.
The members of the Academy are Roberto García, Marcelo Longobardi, Fernando Sánchez Zinny, Alberto Munin, Gustavo González, Silvia Naishtat, Roberto Guareschi, Miguel Wiñazki, Julián Gallo, Antonio Requeni, Mariano Grondona, José Claudio Escribano, Jorge Fontevecchia, Daniel Dessein, Nelson Castro, Nora Bär, Osvaldo Granados and Héctor Guyot.
Also Daniel Santoro, Beatriz Sarlo, Héctor D'Amico, Fernando Ruiz, Hinde Pomeraniec, Alicia de Arteaga, Hugo Alconada Mon, Ernesto Tenembaum, Fernando Bravo, María O'Donnell, Santo Biasatti, Eduardo Fidanza, Eduardo Van der Kooy, Ricardo Kirschbaum, Norma Morandini, Enrique Maceira, José Ignacio López, Fernán Saguier and Carlos Reymundo Roberts.
These are the 20 principles founded by the National Academy of Journalism:
The role of journalism in twenty-first century democracy is to inform, opine, and hold all powers accountable. Information is a right, not a commodity.
The journalist must protect his independence from the governments of the day, other powers, private companies and his own audiences.
It is recommended to distinguish information from opinion, even in the journalist's personal networks.
News should be clearly separated from content sponsored by companies, political parties or individuals.
Freedom of expression has an iron limitation: it does not incite hatred or violence, so verbal or written attacks must be avoided.
The journalist must always attribute the information, whether it is people who declare giving their name and surname "on the record", to sources of information (off the record) or to documentary evidence.
Errors should be corrected and reported to audiences as quickly as possible.
Professional secrecy is protected by article 43 of the Constitution, not as a personal privilege but for its function in benefit of the right of citizens to be informed in a reliable manner, especially when it comes to information that the powers that be try to hide.
Before disclosing the information, the person(s) or entity(ies) accused of participating in a crime or an action that may cause scandal must be used to give their view of the facts.
Sexist, racist comments and prejudices of any kind should be avoided; as well as generalizations that affect people because of their ethnicity, nationality, ideology, religion, sex, education or economic status, or that are based on prejudices of any other nature.
Professional journalism rejects plagiarism, bribery, extortion and other similar practices. No journalist should accept payments, remuneration, gifts or privileges that could influence the content of their work.
The pursuit of scoops does not justify putting a person's life at risk, meddling in the work of the police in a hostage-taking, or deliberately obstructing the work of judges.
Journalists will cover public interest news in a democratic society. Public persons are subject to greater scrutiny, but their private lives will only be of interest when they affect the common good, the use of state resources, the lives of 6 other people, directly or indirectly, or when they themselves expose them.
All news reports shall respect the constitutional principle of innocence of persons until the judgement confirms guilt. No photos or names of minors linked to court cases will be published.
The use of cameras, hidden microphones or other unconventional methods to obtain data or obtain testimonies can be used only when a public good or value greater than the right to privacy of individuals is involved; and, in addition, when conventional methods of searching for information have been exhausted.
Photographs and videos must be authentic. If a montage is made for illustrative purposes, it must be clearly stated that it is a recreation.
Journalists should give the data that reaches them through social networks or other digital channels the same treatment of verification and contrast as those arising from traditional sources of information.
Good journalistic practices are recommended not only for the work that journalists carry out in the media but also for the activity they develop in their own social networks.