Rwanda Journalists and Media Practitioners Code of Ethics
Upholding the Universal Rights to information, freedom of speech and expression and independence of the media; and wishing to foster the highest professional standards of journalism, promote public understanding of and confidence in the Rwandan media, and the responsibilities of the media and the journalists, the Rwanda Media Commission [by its General Assembly] established this Code of Ethics for Journalists and Media Practitioners in accordance with laws governing media in Rwanda.
This Code of Ethics is the basis for the assessment of the complaints submitted by media consumers and journalistic principles. It contains 34 articles, set the standards in terms of reporting and journalistic behavior. With them the respect of professional ethics is ensured.
This Code of Ethics is the basis for the assessment of the complaints submitted by media consumers and journalistic principles. It contains 34 articles, set the standards in terms of reporting and journalistic behavior. With them the respect of professional ethics is ensured.
FORWARD STATEMENT
Public enlightenment is the forerunner of justice, liberty, enjoyment of freedom and the foundation of democracy. It’s also the software for sustainable peace, development, and security.
It’s for this reason that press freedom is given a prominent position in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights as well as the Constitution of the Republic of Rwanda of 2003 as amended to date.
It’s for the same reason that the duty of a journalist is primarily regarded as furthering the same ends by seeking and reporting the truth through providing a fair, accurate, objective, balanced and comprehensive account of events and issues.
Professional journalists from all media outlets and specialties strive to serve the public’s right to know through thoroughness and honesty.
Underlying this approach is professional integrity which is the cornerstone of journalists’ credibility and claim for special protection as provided for in international legal instruments as well as national laws.
In order for journalists and media houses to freely exercise their freedom and to deserve special protection, they have act professionally.
To ensure this, worldwide, journalists have historically adopted codes of professional standards and ethics that the fraternity abides by. In many countries, such codes act as the bible for professionals in this realm.
It’s for this very reason and a belief in the role of a free and independent media that the media fraternity in Rwanda reflected on putting in place and agreed to abide by this code of ethics as the single document that guides all media professionals in the country.
Thus stated, this Code of Ethics is not intended as a set of legally enforceable “rules” but as a resource for ethical decision-making and the basis for the fraternity to hold itself accountable. It is voluntarily embraced by all Rwandan journalists and is intended to be widely used in newsrooms and classrooms as a guide for ethical behavior in the media.
Overall, this Journalist Code of Ethics could not have been realized without the participation and assistance from a number of individuals, Commissions, associations and development partners.
Although all cannot individually be thanked due to lack of space, we wish to extend our sincere appreciation to Rwanda Media Commission (RMC), the Association of Rwanda Women Journalists (ARFEM), the Association of Rwandan Journalists (ARJ) and Rwanda Editors Forum (REFO) without whose help this code could not have seen the light of day.
We are also indebted to Article 19 that funded the review and bringing this code up-to-date and in tune with media self-regulation framework; USAID and the (MCC) Millennium Challenge Corporation, Rwanda Media Strengthening Project implemented by IREX for their support in the original elaboration and printing of the Code and to Mr. NSABIMANA Innocent a veteran Burundian journalist whose ideas were important in putting together the original code here amended and brought in tune with media self-regulation.
Finally, we extend our thanks to Dr. Christopher KAYUMBA, a consultant with MGC Consult International Ltd and Mr. Joseph NJUGUNA, the Director of School of Journalism and Communication, University of Rwanda for updating and editing the code to align it with the mandate of the Rwanda Media Commission (RMC).
Chairperson, RMC
It’s for this reason that press freedom is given a prominent position in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights as well as the Constitution of the Republic of Rwanda of 2003 as amended to date.
It’s for the same reason that the duty of a journalist is primarily regarded as furthering the same ends by seeking and reporting the truth through providing a fair, accurate, objective, balanced and comprehensive account of events and issues.
Professional journalists from all media outlets and specialties strive to serve the public’s right to know through thoroughness and honesty.
Underlying this approach is professional integrity which is the cornerstone of journalists’ credibility and claim for special protection as provided for in international legal instruments as well as national laws.
In order for journalists and media houses to freely exercise their freedom and to deserve special protection, they have act professionally.
To ensure this, worldwide, journalists have historically adopted codes of professional standards and ethics that the fraternity abides by. In many countries, such codes act as the bible for professionals in this realm.
It’s for this very reason and a belief in the role of a free and independent media that the media fraternity in Rwanda reflected on putting in place and agreed to abide by this code of ethics as the single document that guides all media professionals in the country.
Thus stated, this Code of Ethics is not intended as a set of legally enforceable “rules” but as a resource for ethical decision-making and the basis for the fraternity to hold itself accountable. It is voluntarily embraced by all Rwandan journalists and is intended to be widely used in newsrooms and classrooms as a guide for ethical behavior in the media.
Overall, this Journalist Code of Ethics could not have been realized without the participation and assistance from a number of individuals, Commissions, associations and development partners.
Although all cannot individually be thanked due to lack of space, we wish to extend our sincere appreciation to Rwanda Media Commission (RMC), the Association of Rwanda Women Journalists (ARFEM), the Association of Rwandan Journalists (ARJ) and Rwanda Editors Forum (REFO) without whose help this code could not have seen the light of day.
We are also indebted to Article 19 that funded the review and bringing this code up-to-date and in tune with media self-regulation framework; USAID and the (MCC) Millennium Challenge Corporation, Rwanda Media Strengthening Project implemented by IREX for their support in the original elaboration and printing of the Code and to Mr. NSABIMANA Innocent a veteran Burundian journalist whose ideas were important in putting together the original code here amended and brought in tune with media self-regulation.
Finally, we extend our thanks to Dr. Christopher KAYUMBA, a consultant with MGC Consult International Ltd and Mr. Joseph NJUGUNA, the Director of School of Journalism and Communication, University of Rwanda for updating and editing the code to align it with the mandate of the Rwanda Media Commission (RMC).
Chairperson, RMC
Preamble
We, Rwandan Journalists,
Convinced that the free flow of information constitute the foundation of freedom, democracy and sustainable peace, development and security;
Drawing on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) ratified by the Government of Rwanda;
Considering that freedoms of speech, opinion, conscience and press are provided for and enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of Rwanda of June 2003 as amended to date;
Aware of and appreciative of media’s social, economic and political role in society;
Aware of the evolutionary nature of Rwandan Society and its media;
Alert to the expanded media space and operational framework in the country;
Recognizing the mandate placed upon the Rwanda Media Commission; an organ created for and by us, and for the benefit of journalism and media profession;
To safeguard the spirit of the Code and meticulously be guided by its provision in adjudicating and expeditiously discharging verdicts on any misgivings about media and journalists;
Reconsidering the code of ethics governing journalists, other media practitioners and the media in Rwanda of June 2011.
Have adopted this Code of Ethics and it spells out the obligations and rights of a journalist in Rwanda.
Further, the Rwanda Media Commission is hereby consensually recognized as the solely constituted media self-regulatory mechanism to interpret and implement this code on behalf of the fraternity. It shall provide impartial, expeditious and cost-effective arbitration to settle complaints based on and arising from the implementation of this Code by all accredited and/or card carrying journalists.
Convinced that the free flow of information constitute the foundation of freedom, democracy and sustainable peace, development and security;
Drawing on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) ratified by the Government of Rwanda;
Considering that freedoms of speech, opinion, conscience and press are provided for and enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of Rwanda of June 2003 as amended to date;
Aware of and appreciative of media’s social, economic and political role in society;
Aware of the evolutionary nature of Rwandan Society and its media;
Alert to the expanded media space and operational framework in the country;
Recognizing the mandate placed upon the Rwanda Media Commission; an organ created for and by us, and for the benefit of journalism and media profession;
To safeguard the spirit of the Code and meticulously be guided by its provision in adjudicating and expeditiously discharging verdicts on any misgivings about media and journalists;
Reconsidering the code of ethics governing journalists, other media practitioners and the media in Rwanda of June 2011.
Have adopted this Code of Ethics and it spells out the obligations and rights of a journalist in Rwanda.
Further, the Rwanda Media Commission is hereby consensually recognized as the solely constituted media self-regulatory mechanism to interpret and implement this code on behalf of the fraternity. It shall provide impartial, expeditious and cost-effective arbitration to settle complaints based on and arising from the implementation of this Code by all accredited and/or card carrying journalists.
TITLE I: JOURNALISTS’ OBLIGATIONS
In the exercise of their profession, information collection, processing, broadcasting and publication, journalists have the following obligations:
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TITLE II: JOURNALISTS’ RIGHTS
A journalist shall, in the exercise of his/her profession, claim for the following rights:
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TITLE III: ENFORCEMENT OF THE CODE OF ETHICS
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