Gulf News Ethics Poicy

GULF NEWS ETHICS POLICY

A. Introduction:

Journalism is a very important area which plays an active role in today’s political, social, economic and technological environment. It is a discipline of gathering, writing and reporting news and analysis through media like newspapers, magazines, radio and television. The area requires a well-defined code of ethics because of the impact it has on people’s lives. Garcia (1987) says the use of the word ethics first appeared in discussions of newspaper practices in 1850. Well defined and well established code of ethics is adopted by journalism all over the world. Journalism code of ethics consists of ethical principles of good practice to the challenges faced by professional journalists.

UAE also has a well defined journalism code of ethics. Board members of Journalist Association and editors in chief of newspapers and publications have signed this code of ethics which ensures that they understand their responsibility towards the public and society. The basis of this code of ethics is the commitment to the truth and principles of freedom, justice, values, ethics and respect of law. Christians (1999) says the development of journalism ethics mirrored the industrialization of the press and the rise of formal journalism education.

Gulf News is a daily English language Dubai-based newspaper started in 1978. since then, it has grown into a large newspaper of UAE. Gulf news has a circulation of 91,982 for the week (Saturday to Thurdays) and on Friday it has a circulation of 91,985 copies.

B. Problem Statement:

The problem discussed in this research is to find out how employees at Gulf News consider various issues as ethical or unethical on the basis of their understanding of Journalism Code of Ethics and whether they follow the code of ethics as adopted by the journalist community of UAE.

C. Research Objectives:

The research aims to find the answers to the following questions:

1. To know the ethical/ unethical perceptions of Gulf News employees (journalists) over certain issues and situations.

2. To know the extent to which the Gulf News journalists following the Journalism code of ethics.

D. Population:

The population of this research is the entire journalist employees of Gulf News. Gulf News employs both full time journalists and freelance journalists. Gulf News employs around 50 journalists and around 100 freelance journalists.

E. Research Sample:

Among