Journalism … Between Skill and Ethics!

Every society has its own originality, culture and ethics, just as every profession has its own ethics and behaviors, and journalism comes at the forefront of professions that reflect the image of society with its experiences, problems and phenomena, and all forms of journalism, whether written, audio, visual, or electronic, have the right to respect the cultural environment of the community.

Journalism should not go beyond the recognized principles and values ​​in order to perform its function in a manner that responds to the needs and aspirations of people, and gives them the opportunity to have a clearer vision of their reality, as the ethics of journalistic work becomes useless unless it is reflected in practical behaviors on the ground.

When we say the ethics of the profession, the nature of the conversation leads us to discuss the relationship between the owners of the profession as practitioners and their clients as beneficiaries, and this relationship imposes on the first party a kind of commitment to a set of principles and values ​​that rise to personal duties towards the second party so that the bridges of this relationship remain extended between the two parties. She is doubtful and unambiguous.

There is no doubt that journalism differs from other professions in that it is a message before it is a profession, and its role does not depend on merely performing a social function or practicing an educational hobby, but rather is far beyond that and extremely important in terms of its impact on the individual and the development of his awareness and its contribution to building society And it got up.

At the same time, it is an indicator of the civilized level of peoples and a specific measure of the level of freedom in democratic and non-democratic systems. As for the committed practitioner, whether he was an editor, producer, reporter, or writer, it is a willingness above all, for the dangers that he faces when performing his work and the hardship he suffers, and the adherence to patience. On the prospect of misfortune, during his career, all in order to preserve the profession in its dignity and condition, as the eternal phrase says:

Like a candle that burns to light for others.

Every journalist who practiced the profession is not devoid of its principles and lacking in ethical standards, and his technical skills and academic degrees will not reward him in front of the public for anyone who lacks integrity and credibility, and strives from independence and objectivity.

If some believe that adhering to ethics in its strictest terms, over-adhering to it, and adhering to the limits of the social responsibility of the profession may impede the journalist and discourage him in the serious pursuit of uncovering the facts as they are to the best of his ability, which would produce a dull press that is shrouded in stagnation, completely separate from The reality of the people, and it does not bring them any benefit.

All this does not justify the dishonorable behaviors and practices of those who consider themselves professional journalists, who are nothing but outsiders in the profession; For example, if the journalist impersonates the works and ideas of others, or receives a financial reward in order to distort or falsify facts, or defame people’s symptoms and hurt their feelings, and other caveats that must be established in the honor code and local and international agreements in order to create the profession of journalism.

The circle of ethics is not limited to what should be done and said and what should not be, rather it is much more welcome than what some people, including journalists themselves realize, if we refer morality to its philosophical concept and the sayings of thinkers and philosophers and their theories in this great section “The Philosophy of Morals”, and publishing news that sheds light On a hidden side of society, revealing it to people for what it is is a matter of the ethical practice of journalism, according to its basic principles, which gives society the opportunity to see itself closely.

Whenever the journalists are qualified and proficient in the information they provide that does not leak into doubt, is not subject to error or imperfection, and in the manner required to create an enlightened and informed public opinion, they gain the confidence of their audience, and they are in contact with the ethics and ethics of the profession.

What increases the burden of the journalism profession on workers in the field and who are committed to its ethics and principles is that the journalist acts responsibly, and that his actions and words are subject to a precise balance, as the words he writes or utters may have a great impact and are not without serious consequences sometimes.

Conveying news or information in a circumstance similar to what is in the process of eye surgery in its extent of its seriousness, it is a matter of illuminating minds and guiding them in the search for the truth, and here we are talking about the issue of objectivity in journalistic work.

This concept has always been closely associated with this profession, until it almost became the main criterion in distinguishing between one journalist and another, and choosing between one media institution and another in following up its live coverage of events and transmitting pictures and news, which made many individuals and institutions in the press and media sector in general in a frantic race in order to They appear to their audiences somewhat objective, and they are far from objective.

What objectivity they take as a slogan and flaunt it all the time and when it is nothing but a cover for a public relations trick they practice to win over people’s emotions and speeches instead of practicing the profession on its origins and throwing aside empty slogans that do not establish a serious press aside, and it cannot in any way be Objectively, he lacks the ability to separate fact from opinion.

Whoever does not bother to investigate the accuracy of the facts he narrates and to verify the validity of the news he broadcasts by referring to its reliable sources, he is not fit to be a journalist even. Then how dare he say that he is an objective person who does not adhere to neutrality regarding societal controversies or one of the issues around which opinions differ and clash, except for just issues, rights and human values, and ideas that promote hatred, violence and racism.

Perhaps the Palestinian issue that imposes itself these days on events summarizes all these exceptions, as it is not a matter of humanity for the owners of the land to treat innocent Palestinians on the one hand and the aggressors and the Zionist invaders on the other hand, in accordance with the principle of balance in terms of media coverage of the damages occurring and the space for presenting the views of each side.

In concluding this talk about journalism and its ethics, we cannot fail to point out a very dangerous point, which is the impact of the media policies pursued by the ruling regimes on the press and the media in general, and interference in drawing controls and limits on the ethics of the profession to serve its policies, which is a major challenge facing the journalist in his career. And a difficult test for him in front of all forms of carrots and intimidation to prove how to be independent.