‘Milestone’ code of ethics adopted in Côte d’Ivoire

Ivorian journalists and media representatives have adopted a new code of ethics for the media. The change comes as the country recovers from last year’s post-election conflict

– What has happened today is an important development in the history of the Ivorian media, and given the importance of a professional media in our country’s recovery process, this could not have happened at a better time, says Mr. Camara, the President of the Union of Ivorian Journalists.

The new code of ethics is part of an extensive media sector reform project being carried out by the IMS-supported Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) and deals with duties and responsibilities of the journalists alongside a comprehensive set of articles on the rights and freedoms of journalists.

– This is a major contribution to enhance professional journalism in Cote d’Ivoire, on the basis of which we as journalists will insist on and demand our rights and freedoms enshrined in our constitution, continues Mr. Camara

“An important milestone”

Côte d’Ivoire fell 41 places to 159 in Reporters Without Borders’ annual press freedom index after the media was affected by last year’s fighting between supporters of rival presidents Laurent Gbagbo and Alassane Ouattara.

The Media Foundation for West Africa describes the adoption of the new code as ‘an important milestone’ in the ongoing effort to enhance professionalism and to position the media as key stakeholders in the peace building, reconciliation and democratisation processes in Cote d’Ivoire.

The next steps involve training of editors on the enforcement of the new code in newsrooms, and training of officials from media regulatory bodies on monitoring compliance with the new code. The new code of ethics are also planned to be part of the curriculum of journalism training institutions in Cote d’Ivoire.