MFWA hails Cote d'Ivoire's new media code of ethics

Dakar, Senegal (PANA) - The Accra-based sub-regional media freedom watchdog, Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), has hailed the adoption of a new Code of Ethics for journalists in Cote d'Ivoire.

In a statement issued by MFWA on Monday, the organization said "the adoption of the Code marks an important milestone in an ongoing effort to improve professionalism and position the media as key stakeholder in the peace building, reconciliation and democracy in Ivory coast."

The new Code is said to have an elaborate provisions on duties and responsibilities of journalists as well as a comprehensive set of articles on the rights and freedoms of journalists and the media.

President of the Union of Ivorian Journalists Mam Camara, reacting to the development, said: “What has happened is an important development in the history of the Ivorian media, and given the importance of a professional media in our country’s recovery process, this could not have happened at a better time."

The development is an outcome of the first phase of a media sector reform project being undertaken by MFWA, in partnership with the Denmark-based International Media Support (IMS).

The objective of the project is to strengthen the Ivorian media to contribute more effectively and positively towards the country’s peace building and democratization processes.

The new Code of Ethics for journalists was adopted at a forum  held in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire's commercial capital, and attended by media practitioners and associations on 23 Feb.
-0- PANA MLJ/SEG 28Feb2012