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Excerpts are underlined in the text and highlighted when activated. Each of them relates to an ethical principle that is displayed on click, as well as the list of journalistic codes of ethics that also refer to this same principle.

Sweden

Code of Ethics for Press, Radio and Television in Sweden

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The press, radio and television shall have the greatest possible degree of freedom, within the framework of the Freedom of the Press Act and the constitutional right of freedom of speech, in order to be able to serve as disseminators of news and as scrutinizers of public affairs.

Ethical principle:

Journalism in society > Protecting and promoting freedom of speech-press > Freedom of speech

Freedom of speech

This principle was also found in:
In this connection, however, it is important that the individual is protected from unwarranted suffering as a result of publicity.

Ethical principle:

Being fair > Dignity

Dignity

This principle was also found in:


Ethics does not consist primarily of the application of a formal set of rules but in the maintenance of a responsible attitude in the exercise of journalistic duties. The code of ethics for press, radio and television is intended to provide support for this attitude.

WHAT CAN THE MEDIA OMBUDSMAN REVIEW?


The Media Ombudsman can review printed newspapers and magazines, Swedish broadcast radio and television, as well as some online publications, i.e. online publications that are members of The Swedish Media Publishers' Association (TU-Medier i Sverige) or The Magazine Publishers Association (Sveriges Tidskrifter), alternatively having filed for membership of the Ethical Press System.

Ethical principle:

Journalism in society > Accountability > Workings and procedures of the Media Council

Workings and procedures of the Media Council

This principle was also found in:

RULES ON PUBLICITY


Provide accurate news

  1. The role played by the mass media in society and the trust of the public of these media call for accurate and objective news reporting.

    Ethical principle:

    Reporting facts as they are > Accuracy > Objectivity

    Objectivity

    This principle was also found in:

  2. Be critical of news sources. Check facts as carefully as possible in the light of the circumstances even if they have been published earlier. Allow the reader/listener/viewer the possibility of distinguishing between statements of fact and comments.

  3. News bills, headlines and introductory sections must be supported by the text.

    Ethical principle:

    Reporting facts as they are > Headlines

    Headlines

    This principle was also found in:

  4. Check the authenticity of pictures. See to it that pictures and graphical illustrations are correct and are not used in a misleading way.

    Ethical principle:

    Reporting facts as they are > Audiovisual material

    Audiovisual material

    This principle was also found in:


Treat rebuttals generously

  1. Factual errors should be corrected when called for.

    Ethical principle:

    Reporting facts as they are > Correction of errors by media

    Correction of errors by media

    This principle was also found in:
    Anyone wishing to rebut a statement shall, if this is legitimate, be given the opportunity to do so.

    Ethical principle:

    Being fair > Right of reply

    Right of reply

    This principle was also found in:
    Corrections and rebuttals shall be published promptly in appropriate form, in such a way that they will come to the attention of those who received the original information. It should be noted that a rebuttal does not always call for an editorial comment.

    Ethical principle:

    Reporting facts as they are > Correction of errors by media

    Correction of errors by media

    This principle was also found in:

  2. Publish without delay critical rulings issued by the Swedish Media Council in cases concerning your own newspaper.

    Ethical principle:

    Journalism in society > Accountability > Workings and procedures of the Media Council

    Workings and procedures of the Media Council

    This principle was also found in:


Respect individual integrity

  1. Consider carefully any publicity which could violate the privacy and integrity of individuals. Refrain from such publicity unless the public interest obviously demands public scrutiny.

    Ethical principle:

    Being fair > Dignity > Privacy (and the public interest)

    Privacy (and the public interest)

    This principle was also found in:

  2. Exercise great caution in publishing information about suicide and attempted suicide, particularly with regard to the feelings of relatives and in view of what has been said above concerning the privacy and integrity of individuals.

    Ethical principle:

    Being fair > Vulnerable people and sensitive topics > Reporting on suicide

    Reporting on suicide

    This principle was also found in:

  3. Always show the greatest possible consideration for victims of crime and accidents. Consider carefully whether to publish names and pictures out of respect for the victims and their relatives.

    Ethical principle:

    Being fair > Vulnerable people and sensitive topics > Victims of crimes, accidents, or disasters

    Victims of crimes, accidents, or disasters

    This principle was also found in:

  4. Do not emphasize ethnic origin, sex, nationality, occupation, political affiliation, religious persuasion or sexual disposition in the case of the persons concerned if this is not important in the specific context or is demeaning.

    Ethical principle:

    Being fair > Discrimination and racism

    Discrimination and racism

    This principle was also found in:


Exercise care in the use of pictures

  1. Whenever appropriate, these rules also apply to pictures.

    Ethical principle:

    Journalism in society > Accountability > Workings and procedures of the Media Council

    Workings and procedures of the Media Council

    This principle was also found in:

  2. Montage, electronic retouch and captions should be handled in such a way as not to mislead or deceive the reader. Whenever a picture has been altered through montage or retouch this should be stated. This also applies to such material when it is filed in picture libraries.

    Ethical principle:

    Reporting facts as they are > Audiovisual material > Manipulation of visual material

    Manipulation of visual material

    This principle was also found in:


Listen to each side

  1. Offer persons, who are criticized in a factual report, the opportunity to reply instantly to the criticism. Aim at presenting the views of all parties involved. Bear in mind that the sole objective of filing complaints of various kinds with various bodies may be to cause harm to an individual.

    Ethical principle:

    Reporting facts as they are > Accuracy > Hearing all sides of a conflict

    Hearing all sides of a conflict

    This principle was also found in:

  2. Remember that, in the eyes of the law, a person suspected of an offence is always presumed innocent until proven guilty. The outcome of a legal case should be published if it has been previously reported on.

    Ethical principle:

    Being fair > Vulnerable people and sensitive topics > Presumption of innocence

    Presumption of innocence

    This principle was also found in:


Be careful with naming

  1. Show careful consideration to the harmful consequences that might ensue for persons if their names are published. Refrain from publishing names if it might cause harm unless it is obviously in the public interest.

    Ethical principle:

    Being fair > Dignity > Privacy (and the public interest)

    Privacy (and the public interest)

    This principle was also found in:

  2. In case a person's name is not published, also refrain from publishing a picture of that person or details on occupation, title, age, nationality, sex, etc, which could enable identification.

    Ethical principle:

    Being fair > Dignity > Personal information

    Personal information

    This principle was also found in:

  3. Bear in mind that the entire responsibility for publishing names and pictures rests with the publisher.

    Ethical principle:

    Journalism in society > Accountability > Editors have the ultimate responsibility

    Editors have the ultimate responsibility

    This principle was also found in:


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