Source: The book Press Freedom: The Peoples Right by Ed Aurelio C.

Reyes, pp. 169-170.

This document was drafted by the Philippine Press
Institute (PPI), discussed and finalized in a
multilateral workshop conference held during the
National Press Week of 1988.
The conference was attended by representatives
from the PPI, National Press Club, Philippine
Movement for Press Freedom (PMPF), National
Union of Journalists of the Philippines (provisional
committee), Kapisanan ng mga Manggagawa sa
Media sa Pilipinas, Press Foundation of Asia, and
Photojournalists Guild of the Philippines.
It has been adopted by these and other media
organizations, and has been translated into Filipino
by the Bukluran ng mga Mamamahayag sa Sariling
Wika (BUKLURAN), a PMPF member-organization.
I. I shall scrupulously report and interpret the news, taking
care not to suppress essential facts nor to distort the truth
by omission or improper emphasis. I recognize the duty
to air the other side and to correct substantive errors
promptly.

II. I shall not violate confidential information on material

given me in the exercise of my calling.
III. I shall resort only to fair and honest methods in my
effort to obtain news, photographs and/or documents, and
shall properly identify myself as a representative of the
press when obtaining any personal interview intended for
publication.

IV. I shall refrain from writing reports which will adversely

affect a private reputation unless the public interest
justifies it. At the same time, I shall fight vigorously for
public access to information, as provided for in the
Constitution.
V. I shall not let personal motives or interests influence
me in the performance of my duties; nor shall I accept or
offer any present, gift or other consideration of a nature
which may cast doubt on my personal integrity.

VI. I shall not commit any act of plagiarism.

VII. I shall not in any manner ridicule, cast aspersions on,
or degrade any person by reason of sex, creed, religious
belief, political conviction, cultural and ethnic origin.

VIII. I shall presume persons accused of crime of being

innocent until proven otherwise. I shall exercise caution in
publishing names of minors and women involved in
criminal cases so that they may not unjustly lose their
standing in society.
IX. I shall not take unfair advantage of a fellow journalist.

X. I shall accept only as tasks as are compatible with the

integrity and dignity of my profession, invoking the
conscience clause when duties imposed on me conflict
with the voice of my conscience.
XI. I shall conduct myself in public or while performing
my duties as a journalist in such manner as to maintain the
dignity of my profession. When in doubt, decency should
be my watchword.
RECOGNIZING

That children have the same dignity and rights as those of

adults;
That children can be productive for themselves and for
society;
That children need protection from all kinds of harm; and
That in reporting about children, their best interests come
first.
I therefore shall:

STRIVE to maintain the highest standards of ethical

conduct in my reporting;
CONSIDER its short-and-long-term implications on
their welfare and rights;
REFRAIN from illustrating my reporting with photos
or graphics that commodify, or sensationalize their
plight;
AVOID using words that stigmatize or traumatize
children;

PROTECT and RESPECT the diverse cultures of

Filipino children;

AVOID discriminating against children on the bases

of sex, gender and cultural identity, as well as ethnic
and religious background;
SEEK, CONSIDER, and RESPECT the opinions of
children, and promote their right to participate in
decision-making on issues affecting them;

EXERCISE patience and sensitivity when

interviewing children, using words or language
they easily understand;
WRITE stories raising public awareness and
mobilizing public support for their survival,
development and protection, as well as their
participation in creating an environment in which
they are protected from information, data and
images that promote sex, violence, discrimination,
conflict, vices, and the use of illegal drugs and
substances;
In cases of children who are victims of abuse, in
conflict with the law, caught in armed conflicts and
in other special circumstances, I shall:

OBSERVE the confidentiality of their names and

other information that may lead to their
identification to ensure their safety and privacy
whether as victims, witnesses, or aggressors;
SECURE the consent of their guardian or custodian before
interviewing them or taking their photographs;

REFRAIN from exploiting any of such cases for fund-raising

and similarly-oriented activities; and

REMEMBER always that children in special situations are

victims of circumstances. This is a challenge to me as a
journalist and the general public to protect and empower
them.