Media code of conduct launched for election coverage

AMMAN — With a view to improving the performance of media and the quality of coverage during the September 20 parliamentary elections, the Jordan Media Institute (JMI) has launched a code of conduct to ensure the impartiality and independence of the press.

The code of conduct was prepared following a series of consultations and discussions with media representatives and is part of a USAID-supported project, according to a JMI statement released on Thursday.

The code calls for a fair coverage of the candidates and their campaigns without favouring any candidate over another.

When publishing advertisements promote candidates, it is important to indicate that these are paid ads and journalists should refrain from getting paid for attracting ads from candidates, according to the code.

Journalists should not run campaigns for candidates and receive money in return, it said.

In order not to direct voters to a certain candidate, media outlets should only publish polls and surveys conducted by specialised centres on candidates’ popularity. They should clarify that these polls are not final and they should not use parts of these polls to help certain candidates, according to the code.

The press should refrain from publishing any items that incite violence and discord and they should not publish pictures of candidates that might be harmful to their image, it added.

In case of publishing wrong information, media outlets are required to run corrections.

The press should pay attention to women and youths and avoid stereotypical images. Moreover, journalists should not ignore minorities when covering the electoral process, the code said.

They should also abide by legislation in this regard.