Development of Global Journalism Ethics: Various Traditions, Universal Ethical Code?

The increased global reach and impact of media in the new millennium raises the need for a global journalism ethics when reporting on matters of international relevance. In the limelight of the research interest is the question whether it is possible and desired to develop a set of common ethical principles in a universal journalism code. The crucial questions are whether it is possible to come to an agreement about universal values, whether it is reasonable to codify them and whether the adoption of a universal code can be an efficient instrument of global journalistic responsibility. Ethical codes cannot be equated with journalism ethics and ethical decision-making, which is influenced by different factors. It is important to develop a social and media climate which will stimulate values of global ethics in media newsrooms. However, the rejection of a universal code does not imply a rejection of including a cosmopolitan perspective in news reporting. It also does not mean that the idea of a universal code should be abandoned. Discussions about it should be part of an extensive and constant journalists' self-questioning about their mission, situation and future. They should be understood mostly as an opportunity for a wider analysis of state of the profession and for a critical reflection on what the journalistic community and the society can do to surmount the obstacles when carrying out the goal of free and responsible journalism.