Ivorian journalists get new code of ethics

Journalists in Ivory Coast have been given a new code of ethics to guide their conduct, a press release from the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) has said.

According to the release, the new code was adopted February 23, 2012 in Abidjan.

“The adoption of the Code marks an important milestone in an ongoing effort to improve professionalism and position the media as key stakeholder in the peace building, reconciliation and democracy in the country,” the release said.

It adds, “This new code has elaborate provisions on duties and responsibilities of the journalists, as well as a comprehensive set of articles on the rights and freedoms of journalists and the media. It is an improvement of the previous code designed to meet the peculiarities of the country.”

The code is an outcome of the first phase of a media sector reform project being undertaken by the MFWA in partnership with the Denmark-based International Media Support (IMS), the release noted.

By Emmanuel K. Dogbevi