There is no good or bad journalist as anyone who has been trained with the required skills and can report on subjects dealing with his or her reporting , is a journalist no matter where he or she comes from. If one decides to revalue the standard of journalism, he or she will be amazed to see that journalists are journalists whereever he or she might be. We cannot discriminate journalists because of his or her cultures. Had we been a journalist, we should always remain one as we have the power to get information, to annalyse it and to feed the papers of what we learnt, that is what makes us, journalists a unique person with unpredictable caracter, self confidence and tact to treat information.So if we don't stand united we journalists, we are discriminating ourselves from our collegues and that is not a fair way to look down on information which one has been sweating to get. So stand united, and look into our eyes for in every journalist lies the power of the world. We have the power of the pen which could change and heal the world or the nation where we belong. Nazma FOURRE

It is a good idea to have universal dedication to truth, fairness, impartiality and objectivity by journalists.

However these should act as guidelines which journalist world wide should follow when conducting their duties.

Journalists should adapt these to their culture and stay in line with their societies.

Failure to conform to social and cultural values is not health to any proffession including journalism Kondwani H Chitosi: Malawi

Ofcourse, it realy sounds good, and called for, and important. But then what happens? With some governments especially in developing countries funding some journalists to write what they want, and other journalists being on the other side. Will it work? Otherwise i think its a good idea. Joyce Bagala, Uganda

its good development, it would help streamline the indusytry which seems to have no control at the moment, with journalists writing as they please and sometimes destroying peoples' lives. Diana, Uganda

A universal set of guidelines for journalists would be indeed important but problem is, it may conflict with other peoples' conduct and the journalism work itself. Stewart Mamuto, Uganda

Yea! sounds ok, we realy should have them. Edwin Mamuto, Uganda

It is not only cultural values, socio -economic wherewithal also play a vital role on adherence to journalism ethical standards both by the media outfits and practitioners particularly in developing economies such as Nigeria and other African sub-Saharan.

it sound very good.. a universal standard.. yes, it is a good uthopian ideal.. but is it feasible and practical? what will e those standards? in india, we are not even able to have a natinal set of standards followed by all the media.. and with various new media houses springing up, it is impossible to control ethics.. competion and deadlines are just more imp

Since Lawyers have a universal set of ethical standards, it is my belief that Journalists can also have a universal ethical standards with minor modifications to accomodate various cultural values and organisational guidelines. Geo Anika, Abuja - Nigeria.

truth, fairness, impartiality and objectivity

Those 4 things are what makes a journalist a journalist. If you are impartial to your subject and do not remain objective, then what you report is not the truth and not fair. Those standards are tantamount to being a journalist.

Journalism being a profession of universal dimensions should have a universal code of conduct and uniform ethical standards. This is the only way the business of gathering and diseminating news will conform with the principles of truth, fairness and justice all over the world. -Onwuka Nzeshi, Abuja, Nigeria.

My opinion is we should have a set of global ethical framework based on truth, fairness, objectivity and impartiality which are not negotiable. Finalization of this ethical frame work will have to be done after a worldwide consultative process. But within that frame work, specific rights of different cultures should be valued. It is to be noted that culture (as a manifestation of diversity) plays a major role especially in eastern contexts defining value systems. This is vital in a context where media & role of journalists' is highly politically sensitive.