The Federation of Associations of Journalists of Spain has warned parties and governments that “without journalism, there is no democracy” and has urged them to “firmly defend” press freedom and to put an end to “the tension generated by political polarization and the misinformation that emanates from it.”
These are some of the requests that FAPE makes in a manifesto ahead of World Press Freedom Day which will be held tomorrow, Friday, in which he insists on the need to comply with ethical and professional principles, and to defend “the free exercise of journalism, freedom of expression and the right to truthful information of citizens.”
The Federation asks politicians to end attacks on the press and journalists “to silence critical voices” and reminds them that the main task of their professionals is to ask, investigate and report irregular behavior. Pluralism is “an indispensable condition for the proper functioning of democratic societies”, according to FAPE, which highlights the “obligation” of leaders and public representatives to submit to questions from professionals Of the media.
However, it also recognizes that journalists are subject to the law and that any violation of rights recorded in information can be taken to court, or any irregular behavior of a professional or media to the Arbitration Commission. Complaints and Dentistry of Journalism.
“If the press does not lead the fight against polarization and misinformation,” says the federation, “the manipulation of citizens and attacks on journalists will be facilitated. If we do not act as a retaining wall, hoaxes and lies will grow unchecked“.
The declaration of the members of the federation is accompanied by a series of specific requests, such as the following:
May 3: Declaration of Talavera. On World Press Freedom Day, FAPE publishes a manifesto highlighting the need to comply with ethical principles and defend the free exercise of journalism and freedom of expression https://t.co/TJh1242BYf pic.twitter.com/vIPEb4dKbP
— FAPE (@fape_fape) May 2, 2024
1) They warn of the danger posed to society by the dissemination of hate speech that encourages these attitudes, and ask groups and institutions to always do so. truthful information from their communication offices and not spreading false news or manipulated according to their interests”.
2) They denounce the attacks on the free exercise of journalism with certain undemocratic practices, such as finger-pointing, online harassment, exclusion of media and journalists from calls, appearances without questions and attempts to impose questions.
3) They ask journalists to comply with the ethical and deontological principles that govern the profession and Do not spread lies, hoaxes or any information that has not been confirmed and contrastedand that they have “exemplary public behavior” and do not become “activists at the service of causes unrelated to information.”
4) They also urge you, however, to exercise the power control functionto avoid the contagion of political polarization, and to worry about ensuring the regeneration of ethical and deontological principles.
5) They also warn that there are increasing job and salary precariousness in newsrooms and that this represents – they say – “an incentive to increase pressures and reduce the necessary independence in journalistic work.”
