The Ministry of Information has reported that it resolved 23 disputes involving journalists in the first nine months of the year. The cases were mediated by the committee in charge of monitoring, evaluating and commending the implementation of the code of ethics and professional journalism.
Ministry spokesperson Tep Asnarith explained that the dispute resolution mediation provided justice to journalists and relevant parties in grievances from complainants, as well as protecting journalists from facing legal measures.
“In each case, the committee meticulously examined and analysed both the facts and the legal aspects, and invited relevant parties in the matter to participate in the conciliation procedure, based on the Law on the Press Regime, professional norms, the Journalist’s Professional Charter, obligations within the framework of journalism business contracts and relevant legal instruments,” he said.
He added that during the reconciliation procedure, journalistic professional errors and unethical conduct were openly and fairly analysed and discussed with transparency and professionalism to resolve disputes with clear conclusions, which the parties involved in the dispute agreed to accept.
Content errors in broadcasts were corrected and rebroadcast with accurate information, sufficient sources and references, which the disputing parties individually accepted. The journalists involved received guidance on professional conduct and journalistic ethics to continue performing their work better, in compliance with laws and professional ethics, he noted.
In addition to these resolutions, some dispute cases faced penalties in accordance with the Law on the Press Regime, including the issuance of warning letters to media organisations and journalists who violated the code of ethics or acted contrary to the conditions specified in journalism business contracts.
In a small number of cases, media organisations had their business licenses revoked due to serious ethical violations and breaches of existing legal regulations, according to Asnarith.
He urged all media professionals to produce quality content by diligently researching each topic before reporting to ensure a clear basis for its production and the dissemination of quality content, for the benefit of the citizens and the nation.
