Should we publish photos with children abused, victims of a road accident, or deceased people? Can we use obscene and denigrating language in articles? Do we have the right to discriminate against people based on gender, age, ethnicity, religion, social status or sexual orientation? These and many other questions concerning ethics and journalistic deontology SAJ students answered at the course of ethics and diversity in the media. For six days they were trained by Nadine Gogu, Executive Director of the Independent Journalism Center.

The course of ethics and diversity in the media is intended to initiate future journalists into the basic principles of ethics and deontology. The course perfectly combines theory and practice and involves active engagement of students. During classes, students spoke about the stereotypes concerning various categories of people (men and women, the young and the elderly, the rich and the poor, heterosexuals and homosexuals), and learned how to find and work with relevant sources, how to write and edit ethically sensitive texts, how to separate private life from public interest, and how to cover topics concerning children, minors, and victims.

Coverage of diversity in the media was another key component of the course. For a better understanding of this phenomenon, students met with Angelica Frolov, coordinator of the Lobby and Advocacy Program at “GENDERDOC-M” Center. The discussion was tense, and it was focused on LGBT rights and on avoiding discriminating terminology against these people. “The media must inform the public objectively and correctly, with respect for every person’s gender identity,” Angelica Frolov underlined.

During the course, students did some practical tasks, too: analysis of a material from the media, referring it to the Moldovan Journalist’s Code of Ethics; research of documentation for a material on the topic of diversity; students’ own analysis of a film. “The journalistic profession involves responsibility. Impartiality, objectivity and correctness are the fundamental principles of quality journalism, and you, as future journalists, must respect them,” Nadine Gogu said at the end of the course, urging students not to deviate from these principles.

Students also confessed that this course is absolutely necessary, especially for them, who are just at the start of their careers. “The course of ethics made me understand that the profession of journalist involves much responsibility and that a word poorly thought out can lead to serious consequences,” said student Maria Svet. “When a journalist respects the Code of Ethics, he respects himself,” concluded student Dumitrita Andriuta.