We wrote earlier this week about the first code of ethics for Haitian media, which was recently announced by UNESCO. Several media groups in Haiti including the National Association of Media and the Association of Haitian Journalists, signed the code. (Read our initial story about the code here.
UNESCO’s Haitian bureau director Lamine Bechir told iMediaEthics by e-mail that the code of ethics “was developed in some six months” and “initiated by UNESCO following discussions with major Haitian media associations which expressed concern about ethics in their profession.”
According to Bachir, the media groups attended UNESCO-backed workshops to create the code of ethics, which drew on other international ethics codes. “Signing the code of ethics meant that the media association concerned validated the final text and committed to disseminate it among its members as principles they should follow in their work,” Bachir added.
Bachir noted that he doesn’t know how many Haitian journalists subscribe to the code.
UPDATED: 12/22/2011 8:57 AM EST: Fixed timestamp.