The Journalists Code of

Ethics
Adopted by the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines.(NUJP)
By: Prof. Prestoline S. Suyat

I
I shall scrupulously report and
interpret the news, taking care
not to suppress essential facts
nor to distort the truth by
omission or improper emphasis.
I recognize the duty to air the
other side and the duty to
correct substantive errors

II
I shall not violate
confidential
information on material
given me in the
exercise of my calling.

Rep. Romeo Candazo, first

whistleblower of pork barrel.

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 53*

AN ACT TO EXEMPT THE PUBLISHER, EDITOR OR REPORTER OF ANY
PUBLICATION FROM REVEALING THE SOURCE OF PUBLISHED NEWS
OR INFORMATION OBTAINED IN CONFIDENCE
Section 1. The publisher, editor or duly accredited reporter of any
newspaper, magazine or periodical of general circulation cannot be
compelled to reveal the source of any news-report or information
appearing in said publication which was related in confidence to
such publisher, editor or reporter, unless the court or a House or
committee of Congress finds that such revelation is demanded by
the interest of the State.
Sec. 2. All provisions of law or rules of court inconsistent with this
Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
Sec. 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
Approved: October 5, 1946
* Also known as Shield or Sotto Law

(ECtHR), established since 1959

- European Court of Human Rights

Protection of journalistic
sources is one of the basic
conditions for press
freedom. Without such
protection, sources may be
deterred from assisting the
press in informing the
public on matters of public
interest. As a result the vital
public-watchdog role of the
press may be undermined
and the ability of the press
to provide accurate and
reliable information may be
adversely afected.

III
I shall resort only to fair and
honest methods in my effort to
obtain news, photographs
and/or documents, and shall
properly identify myself as a
representative of the press
when obtaining any personal
interview intended for

IV
I shall refrain from writing
reports that will adversely
affect a private reputation
unless the public interest
justifies it. At the same
time, I shall fight
vigorously for public access

V
I shall not let personal
motives or interests
influence me in the
performance of my duties,
nor shall I accept or offer
any present, gift or other
consideration of a nature

VI
I shall not commit
any act of
plagiarism.

VII
I shall not, in any
manner, ridicule, cast
aspersions on, or
degrade any person by
reason of sex, creed,
religious belief, political
conviction, cultural and

VIII
I shall presume persons
accused of crime of being
innocent until proven
otherwise. I shall exercise
caution in publishing names of
minors and women involved in
criminal cases so that they may
not unjustly lose their standing

Discouraging
Suicide: The
Medias
Responsibility
Seek truth and report it as fully as
possible,
act
independently,
and
minimize harm. In observance of the
third principle, the Institute urges the
journalist to be compassionate, to
treat
sources,
subjects
and
colleagues
as
human
beings
deserving of respect and to
recognize that while reporting and
gathering information may cause
harm, this must be balanced by
scrupulously truthful reporting.
However,
scrupulously
truthful
reporting doesnt mean presenting all
the grisly details of a certain event.
The media should provide only relevant
information that the public needs to
know, and should avoid details that
tend to sensationalize the incident.
- US Poynter Institute, a non-stock
school for journalism

IX
I shall not take unfair
advantage of a
fellow journalist.

X
I shall accept only such tasks as
are compatible with the
integrity and dignity of my
profession, invoking the
conscience clause when duties
imposed on me conflict with
the voice of my conscience.

 In some cases, particularly

in community newspapers,
journalists or reporters serve
as a marketing person,
sometimes, even the
circulation staff
payola system
envelopmental journalism

XI
I shall conduct myself in public
or while performing my duties
as journalist in such manner as
to maintain the dignity of my
profession. When in doubt,
decency should be my
watchword.

SIAO /
bogus
journalist
- men of
dubious
affiliations,
serving as
fixers, middlemen or PR
agents of
smugglers and
unscrupulous

THANK YOU!

SOURCES:

1. Center for Media Freedom and Responsibilities (CMFR) articles,

cmfr-phil.org

2. Philippine Daily Inquirer

3. Durian Post

4. Rappler

5. Spinbuster

6. various newspapers

7. Google