There is no journalistic code of ethics in Islamic framework for mass media. It is thus hard for Islamic
communication researchers to find a well-defined Islamic code of ethics in regard.
However, with evolution of new media, some Islamic scholars believe that communication should be
directed towards the achievement of both physical and spiritual development of human being. The
technology is encouraged in Islam as a mean to manage earth according to the will and purpose of Allah.
Moreover, Islam gives a complete code of life and hence enables us to derive the ethics for emerging form
of communication-media. Scholars summarize the code of ethics in 3 clauses,
• The conceptual referents of Islamic communication are based on the acknowledgement of Allah’s
supremacy, none but Him.
• It utters for the establishment of well-being of society.
• And reinforce enhancement of the dignity of human being.
Ethics and value that are universal in nature are acceptable to every society and religion. Nonetheless
apparently, the Muslim world face this challenge of being without any concise ethics in written nut a few
countries have devised a set of rules for regulation within their own premises. For example,
U.A.E:
An extract from the Emirates charter of media ethics include,
1. Respect the truth and the right of the public to have access to the true and accurate information.
2. He should use only legitimate means to obtain information, photos and documents from original
sources.
3. Journalists should not seek to provoke or inflame public feelings by any means or use means of
excitement and deception or dishonest reporting. They should not use media organs for purpose
of libel or slandering.
4. They must be aware that a suspect is innocent until proven guilty, thus names and photos of
suspects should not be published until a final verdict is issued.
5. Islam is a basic and important component of UAE culture, values and traditions, and the respect
of divine religions and traditions and values of nations takes center stage at the mandatory code
of ethics of the media and should not be offended or desecrated by any forms.
6. Human rights should also be respected and valued and should not be abused by the media under
any pretext.
7. Accepting valuable cash and kind gifts may cause a journalist to be biased in his coverage and is
considered breach of the code. This does not apply to souvenir gifts given to the public.
TURKEY:
In Turkey, the Society of Professional Journalists' ethics code, with four main principles of "Seek truth
and report it, minimize harm, act independently, be accountable."
