site.btaBTA Deputy Director General Drumeva Says Clear Editorial Standards Build Trust, Protect against Self-Censorship
The Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) has always worked under written editorial standards, BTA Deputy Director General for Information Policy Evgenia Drumeva said during a Council for Electronic Media (CEM) discussion on editorial independence on Wednesday.
“I believe this discussion is important. It is important to talk about these issues and to restore trust in our profession and in media outlets that exercise genuine editorial responsibility and operate under professional standards,” Drumeva said.
Drumeva said international surveys show declining public interest in editorially responsible media, while outlets with unclear information sources often attract greater attention.
“In my view, clearly defined standards are essential. They also help prevent self-censorship because, when you know that you are working under established standards, you are protected,” Drumeva said.
She cited a recent addition to BTA’s rules governing the use of photographs.
“Oddly enough, several cases involving photographs arose, and there were differing views. We looked for good international practices and found that the Code of Ethics of the National Press Photographers Association in the United States is widely cited and regarded as a very good model,” Drumeva said.
Some of its principles were incorporated into BTA’s updated rules to guide photojournalists and draw attention to the ethical considerations involved in their work, Drumeva added.
The discussion was held in connection with the implementation of the European Media Freedom Act. CEM Chair Gabriela Naplatanova said the initiative aimed to bring together representatives of the professional community, academia and journalists’ organizations to discuss standards for editorial independence and safeguards against external influence.
/KT/
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