Description
Public trust towards media is decreasing and it is putting democracy at risk on the long run.The goal is to eliminate the divide in the press through the means of a common ethical platform and a system of handling press complaints transparently. Common ground in the media and the public’s trust towards it can be rebuilt.They hope to achieve the creation of the capacities for media self-regulation. As a consequence they hope to see a more active, media literate audience and journalists with growing sense of ethics and professional solidarity, being able to stand up for their values and interests.They try to create unity in the field of journalism on the basis of common values. On grounds of that values they offer a new ’contract’ between journalists and the public.Primary target groups are journalists, their NGOs, and the audience.They aim to cooperate with experienced media self-regulatory bodies including the Norsk Pressforbund, which is one of the most inspiring examples.
Summary of project results
The aim of the project was to develop institutional background for media self-regulation and press complaints comission in Hungary to ensure respecting the rules of ethical journalism and being accountable to the public. As a result of the project in December 2015 korrektor.hu has been established on the initiative of Editors' Forum Hungary with a broad cooperation of professional organisations. The establishment of Korrektor has been a major step towards ensuring the responsible, transparent and accountable operation of quality journalism. On the korrektor.hu site anyone can report a suspected or alleged violation of the code of ethics in a medium and the organisation will investigate the matter. On the long run: public confidence in the media will enhance; the role of alternative arbitration channels will grow; journalism will become more ethical; the relationship between the press and the audience will strengthen.
Summary of bilateral results