Network of Women in Media, India (NWMI) Guidelines
Kartavya Desk Staff
Syllabus: Applications of Ethics/ Indian Society
Source: TH
Context: The Network of Women in Media, India (NWMI) has released guidelines to improve safety and equity in newsrooms. These guidelines address issues like poor working conditions, harassment, and unfair practices.
Common issues identified include:
• Widespread workplace humiliation and harassment.
• Tolerance of abusive behaviour from senior staff, often excused by past experiences.
• Disparaging comments based on personal attributes like caste, gender, and sexuality.
• Severe attacks primarily target women and LGBTQIA+ individuals.
Key recommendations include:
• Adherence to legal work hours, with overtime recognition.
• Fair and transparent salaries, adjusted for inflation and comparable industries.
• Minimum of 30 days paid leave, including mental health and menstrual leave.
• Establishment of professional HR departments with clear policies on acceptable behaviour.
• Transparent performance appraisals and a zero-tolerance policy for toxic behaviour.
• Regular communication and training on workplace policies.
• Prompt filling of vacancies to avoid overburdening staff.
• Journalists should work no more than 144 hours over four consecutive weeks. A mandatory day off each week.
• Enforce a zero-tolerance policy for toxic behaviour, with disciplinary action against violators, regardless of position or popularity.
These measures aim to create a respectful and equitable work environment for journalists.
Related Information:
Values of Ethical Journalism:
Ethical Value | Description | Thinker/Expert
Truthfulness | Commitment to accuracy and honesty in reporting, avoiding distortion of facts. | Walter Lippmann
Objectivity | Reporting news without bias, ensuring fair representation of all sides of an issue. | Bernard Goldberg
Integrity | Upholding strong moral principles, avoiding conflicts of interest and corruption. | Ralph Waldo Emerson
Accountability | Taking responsibility for errors, and being transparent with corrections and clarifications. | Thomas Jefferson
Respect for Privacy | Protecting individuals’ privacy, particularly in sensitive stories, while balancing public interest. | John Stuart Mill
Independence | Maintaining editorial independence from external influences, including political and corporate pressures. | George Orwell
Fairness | Ensuring equitable treatment of subjects and audiences, avoiding prejudiced or discriminatory content. | John Rawls
Transparency | Being open about journalistic processes, sources, and potential biases. | Bill Kovach and Tom Rosenstiel
Empathy | Showing compassion and understanding towards subjects, especially in human-interest stories. | Maya Angelou
Social Responsibility | Recognizing the role of media in shaping public opinion and upholding democratic values. | Noam Chomsky
Justice | Advocating for fairness, equality, and the protection of rights within media practices. | Martin Luther King Jr.
Professionalism | Adhering to high standards of journalistic practice, including thorough research and ethical sourcing. | David Randall
Human Dignity | Ensuring that all individuals are treated with respect and dignity in reporting and representation. | Immanuel Kant