OSCE promotes media self-regulation in Romania
BUCHAREST, 31 October 2008 - How to best develop an effective mechanism of self-regulation in Romania is the focus of a roundtable discussion that started in Bucharest today.
Funded by the Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media and organized by the Centre for Independent Journalism in Romania, the two-day event brings together 50 media professionals from around the country.
The roundtable discussion aims to raise awareness about the importance of media self-regulation as a credible and viable mechanism to uphold journalistic ethics and guarantee editorial independence.
"I welcome the initiative of Romanian media professionals to start discussing ways to create a self-regulatory body in their country. Establishing a media accountability system will prove journalists' commitment to quality and responsibility, and will boost the recognition of independent reporting in Romania," said Miklos Haraszti, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of Media, in a message to event participants.
The results of a study done by the Centre for Independent Journalism in Romania that gathered information on Romanian journalists' adherence to ethical norms and their understanding of the concept of self-regulation were presented at the roundtable event.
Experts also presented different European models of self-regulation, with the aim of supporting the drafting of a common policy paper towards self-regulation in Romania, an expected outcome of the discussion.
The event is part of a broader campaign by the OSCE Representative to promote mechanisms of media self-regulation in the OSCE participating States. It follows the publication of a practical guidebook on the topic, The Media Self-Regulation Guidebook, which was used in the roundtable sessions.