Setting Standards for Accountability in Media Development
06.12.09The GFMD member’s Code of Practice takes inspiration from the Code of Ethics as adopted by the World Association of Non-Governmental Organisations.
It sets out standards of transparency and defines principles to avoid conflicts of interests, to organise internal governance and to ensure independence of media development organisations.
The code defines guiding principles of media development work, including promotion of freedom of expression and respect for human rights as defined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. A key component of the code is the principle of good relationships and partnerships with sister organisations operating in the media sector.
“A main goal of the GFMD is to create greater coherence in the media development sector”, said Bettina Peters. “The code will help us promote even better cooperation and partnerships among GFMD members. “
GFMD members subscribe to the code and organisations wanting to join the GFMD have to declare adherence to the code of practice. The code is available in English and will be translated into French, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian and Arabic.
The GFMD will promote the code in the course of 2010 at media development conferences as well as in its own regional forums for media development. A review of the code and its applications will take place at the next Global Forum for Media Development in 2011.
GFMD Code of Practice for Media Development Organisations: GFMD_code_of_practice.doc