WEST UNIVERSITY TIMISOARA FACULTY OF ECONOMICS AND BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION FINANCE AND BANKING

Media Ethics in Romania

COORDINATOR: DIANA GLIGOR

Introduction
In recent years, media ethics has become a highly debated topic, trying to clarify moral values and ethical journalism. Ethics is not just a matter of codes of conduct or rules to be followed, ethics is a moral theory and assumes possession of a set of general principles (on which good and bad), analysis of actual facts, actions or characters in terms of these principles. Ethics relates the capacity of every journalist in part, to respect the set of values indifferent situations and to render information given objectivity, truth and fairness. Ethics and professionalism translates decisions made by journalists and can be considered as an ethics of communication, because communication is the essence media system. Ethics is generally known as an intellectual discipline, philosophy or humanities attached, but ethics does not deal only with theoretical issues, but unlike other philosophical disciplines, is for practice. Its starting point is to prescribe what is evil and what is the way to avoid it consequences. Also it should not be confused with the law, ethics refers to moral things made in terms of personal or professional. Text is the main element of journalistic discourse. A text can be judged from the point of view of ethics based on respect for the truth of the facts or the credibility that form. Any journalist should know that it has the right to write only what he knows is right. He must be moderate in value judgments in expressing their own convictions and beliefs, objectivity must be reflected in any news. In Romania until 1989, the only television was the state that had two channels, in 1985 was canceled, for reasons of economy. For the same reasons, the single channel of Television emitted only three hours a day, most programs is actually a constant party propaganda. The films were rare and fragmented, the newspapers also were few and almost unnecessary because it contains a eternal praise to Communist Party. After the country turned its back to communism in the 90s , freedom of speech and freedom of expression were on everyones lips. A new media was born and it evolved, sometimes chaotically, trying to make up for all the time it lost during a period of stronger censorship and weaker fundamental rights.

First editions of newspapers were sold directly off of trucks in the transportation and stalls not even reached the newspaper sellers. The first years of freedom actually meant a boom in the print media. In addition to traditional newspapers, Romania Libera, truth (was spark) or Liberal Youth (youth was Sparkle), there have been dozens of other publications, some with a short lifetime of a few months, others have survived over time, there today. After the country
turned its back to communism in the 90s , freedom of speech and freedom of expression were on everyones lips. A new media was born and it evolved, sometimes chaotically, trying to make up for all the time it lost during a period of stronger censorship and weaker fundamental rights

1. The effects of media messages

In sociological sense, perverse effects are compromises that are made on behalf of the audience and competitors. If threads of a young journalist, unknown, not fall into the category winner of the day information consisting of opinion leaders in the media (producers, news agencies, politicians), even though it would be particularly interesting and fresh for the great mass, they will not take in consideration or addressed. Managements sorts and selects the information they receive through the program schedule thinking in commercial terms. Journals are thus the result of a selection with a large dose of subjectivity, topics and information is taken from one channel to other like in a vicious circle. Therefore, the purpose of journalism ( to inform the population as accurately and objectively on all significant events and impact) comes to be sacrificed on the altar of winning the audience and overcome competition. Surprisingly enough, the only Romanian existing press law is the one created in 1974, long before the old regime collapsed. Still, this is not functional and it exists only because it was never fully abrogated, without actually being a guideline for journalists.

As for a Code of Ethics, Romania has a Code which was created in October 2009 by the Convention of Media Organisations (COM) in cooperation with the Center for Independent Journalism and Active Watch -The Media Monitoring Agency and which was supposed to apply to all the Romanian Journalists. But due to the fact that the Romanian Press Club immediately replied by saying they will not adopt it as they already have their own, there is no Code of Ethics

applying

widely,

or

at

least

for

the

majority

of

media

actors.

Some media organizations sometimes issue public condemnations for certain media companies and journalists. This was the case when the organizations already mentioned above criticized the covering of the suicide of a well-known Romanian singer, Madalina Manole. The Center for Independent journalism considered aggressive, irresponsible and not ethical the way journalists did not respect the intimacy and the private life of the deceased. Moreover they considered unacceptable the detailed description of the suicidal process, of the used chemical substances and of the commercial products that contain it.

2. The Ethical Code of Romania Press Club

Article.1 A journalist has the primary duty of reporting the truth, whatever consequences this may have for him/herself; that obligation follows from the publics constitutional right to be accurately informed. Article.2 A journalist can disclose only information about whose truthfulness he/she is positively sure, after checking usually, by crossing several trustworthy sources. Article.3 A journalist has no right to present his/her opinions as facts. A news story has to be accurate, objective and should not contain personal beliefs. Article.4 A journalist must respect the private lives of citizens; he/she shall not use methods that are forbidden by law in order to obtain information or pictures of people. When the private behaviour of public figures might have consequences on society as a whole, this principle of non intrusion into private lives can be ignored. It is preferable that the under-aged, sick people and the victims of crimes benefit from confidentiality as regards their identity.

Race, nationality, membership of certain minority groups (religious, linguistic, sexual) shall be mentioned only in cases when that information is relevant to the matter at hand. Article.5 A journalist will insure that all parties involved should be heard, in case of a difference of opinion. No accusation will be cast without the accused party having the opportunity to express its point of view. A journalist will strive to respect the principle of reasonable doubt, so that no individual will be labeled as criminal until a law court has said so. Publishing comments and taking sides in matters that are being judged in courts should be avoided. This does not exclude objective reporting of facts related to the trial. A journalist does not substitute for public institutions and authorities. Article.6 A journalist will keep professional secrecy over the sources of his/her information when obtained on a confidential basis. It is a matter of his/her conscience to respect confidentiality towards sources, even in law courts. The confidentiality of information sources is guaranteed by international rules to which Romania subscribes. Article.7 A journalist has a civic responsibility to contribute to enforcing law and social justice. In the cases when he/she is in a position to find out abuses or law breaking, accordingly to the clause of conscience, a journalist has the right to ignore any pressure to influence his/her decision. Article.8 In exerting his/her profession and in maintaining his/her relations with public authorities or different organisations, a journalist is not allowed to enter into any arrangements that may affect his/her impartiality or independence. Article.9 It is professionally wrong for a journalist to distort the information on purpose or to make accusations that are not founded.

Article.10 The journalist has the duty to make the necessary corrections in case inaccurate information gets published by his/her fault.

3. How the Media Describe the Case of the Madalina Manole Death.
All media, all bloggosfera exploded since the news that many beloved singer Madalina Manole died. Newspapers and television have come up with all sorts of shock headlines: - Madalina Manole die for her birthday. Prosecutor confirmed the hypothesis of suicide. - Madalina Manole tried to kill himself three weeks ago. - 6 possible hypotheses on the reasons for suicide Madalina - Last interview of Madalina Manole, a few hours before suicide: "I'm happy!" Story and scenario continued for almost two years.

How the television presented the case

Madalina Manole Mircea husband Peter was accused by its parents influence of indirect contribution, in terms of the artist's decision to commit suicide. In other words Mircea Peter is the author's moral suicide gesture of Madalina for its conduct and its induced it and caused it to do this step. All sorts of people have been on television saying I know because of that he decided to commit suicide. Madalina Manole case on TV: Detailed suicide techniques. Entry with feet in family life. Pictures orphaned child. There are three serious violations found by the CNA. TV stations escaped inexpensive: total fines amounted to 8,300 euros. Articles violated private TV stations: Detail suicide techniques The right to privacy: Everyone has the right to respect for privacy in difficult times, such as an irreparable loss or misfortune. Protection of minors image

Highest fine he received Antena 1: 10,000 lei. The station was penalized for all three violations. Of Intact news station, Antena 3, had his 7,500 fine. Fines CNA data: Antena 1 - 10,000 lei (all three aspects violated) TVR 1 - 5,000 lei - (show of suicide) Antena 3 - 7,500 (show of suicidal privacy breach) Reality TV - 7,500 lei (presentation techniques suicidal privacy breach) Kanal D - 5,000 lei (presentation techniques suicidal privacy breach) Other TV stations had no history just escaped public summons: National TV, Prima TV, Pro TV, B1 TV, OTV Detailing techniques suicide Antena 1 detailed presentation Furadanului. Antena 3 to 6 show that focused, with details on the substance and how it was ingested B1 - four references Kanal D - one entry OTV - 9 issues Prima TV - a statement which analyzes and how you can get Pro TV - once, but not the name, it's only insecticide. Reality TV - six times refer to Furadan TVR 1 to 3 references Failure grieving family privacy Stations where irregularities were found: Antena 1 Antena 2 - to Agent VIP Antena 3 - episode of the Radio Hall when reporters insisted to get a husband declaration the artist, the artist's mother mourning sequences near the coffin. Kanal D - sought an interview with relatives, but asked for understanding the artist's father Pro TV - Happy Hour, film dialogue, the spouse refuses to report what happened. Sequences artist father, surrounded by reporters in the news. Family around the coffin. Images from the funeral. Reality TV - episode of the Radio Hall Last of Madalina Manole SMS

According to broadcasting legislation, "Everyone has the right to respect for his private and family life, his home and his correspondence." CNA discussed the subject, but not penalized television stations. Whenever broadcast stations last SMS sent by Madalina Manole: Antena 1 - 11 times Antena 2 - once Antena 3 to 3 times B1 - 3 broadcasts Kanal D - four OTV - 11 times Prima TV - 2 Pro TV - 7 Reality TV - once TVR 1 - three times. The presentation of clear slides TV stations gave the artist child images to soften audience members told CNA. Narcisa Iorga: "Children are entitled to protection of the image. No matter the context. More serious is taking advantage of a situation like this to impress the audience. " Whenever gave baby pictures: Antena 1 - 6 times Antenna 2 to 3 broadcasts Kanal D - 3 National TV - 5 OTV - 4 Prima TV - 2 Pro Tv - 6 Antena 3, B1, Reality and TVR did not give the child images Gradually occultism began to slowly make their place in this story. The famous clairvoyant who lives in the United States continued its series of revelations about the death Madalina Manole. The artist was fond of "occult, paranormal things and communicate with the spiritual world,"

says Carmen Harra. Therefore, "her husband and mother have played with this vulnerable they sent her to the next world." As a visionary, he predicted Madalina death, but does not mean she killed. Madalina felt that something bad is going to happen, evidence of her journal , but something caused it. What happened and they should not necessarily be done with her hand. She felt that someone will hurt. Madalina is not a suicide, but a person who has anticipated death, said Carmen Harra. Madalina Manole brought so much traffic to this blog, but did not get all the notes work. As I always said this blog is a website addressed to those seeking different solutions to the problems they face in everyday life. This blog in the notes for which it was created is for those who want personal development. Still, subjects can help you succeed, is not wanted how it was the case of Madalina Manole, said anblogger. A few days after the death of Madalina Manole, newspaper Libertatea published an video with the title: Images with Madalina mother in law laughing after funeral.

Nine months after the death Madalina, publishing photos that show the artist after suicide hit him very hard the family of Madalina. At Happy Hour, Madalina husband confessed in tears that fear when their child will find these images on the internet. "I give Madalina pictures, I've traumatized me and I'll traumatized child," said Peter Mircea. Moreover, testified that photos have affected so much so that "I relived all over again". Mircea Peter's reaction was not a tantrum, but showing an endless pain. The pain of a husband and a father. Also at the same show, presenter Catalin Maruta promised to end the extraordinary revelations about the artist Madalina Manole. The next day the show Happy Hour which is not only happy lately we can watch live self-registration Madalina past thoughts and gestures. Nowadays the media, especially television, do not need play-back tears, but vital nourishment. Symbolic consumption, live, still unburied corpse of the star is one of the wildest and nourishing rituals journalist in the audience desire. So it's no surprise that television competed in the "write" all sorts of comments about Madalina Manole.

The Reality TV debate, Church's refusal to make common funneral for suicide, Antenna 1 describe pesticide as a fashionable experience. As if not enough, Corina Chiriac launches bomb: Madalina had a secret love. Everything, absolutely everything is devoured by greed for the audience. Death singer Madalina Manole, who committed suicide, was widely reported in the international press. Some newspapers in the United States talked about death Madalina Manole, reminding the artist that debuted 15 years and became "one of the most beloved singers of Romania". Other online news sources, including ABC News, CBS News, AOL News, balkansight.com and timesonline.com provided details about forensics investigation and notes that Romanian artist has not had a full church service because the Orthodox Church considers suicide as a "major sin". News about the disappearance of life singer Madalina Manole made around the world, as announced in Taiwan, the Taiwan News newspaper website, and Australia, the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper.

Madalina Manole last interview - an invention Agerpres

Madalina Manole last interview broadcast by Agerpres a few hours before his death is not real. The text in the artist said he is "accomplished artist, a mother and a woman happy" is actually a compilation of earlier statements extracted from the internet. The charges were brought by paginademedia.ro site where it says that sources should be recognized Agerpres informally, mistake. According to them, Tuesday, journalists from Agerpres had tried to conduct an interview with Madalina Manole to published on Wednesday at the singer's birthday. As she did not answer the phone Petronius Craiu journalist, editor Badulescu Marina has decided to select older statements on her blog and publish under the title of the interview: "In his last interview in AGERPRES, just one day before his death, singer Madalina Manole confessed that it is a happy person. Few hours later would appear information about his disappearance, most likely as a suicide". I am an artist fulfilled, a mother and a woman happy. I was the happiest mother on earth the moment that I close my baby in my arms, "said the artist".

Statements were taken from all the television stations and newspapers as the last words to the press. Contacted by Reality TV journalist paginademedia.ro Obae Petrisor said Agerpres sources have confirmed that it is the only case in which materials were used in earlier statements, without clearly specify this in the news. "Procedure transcends every rule of good practice journalism", accused Obae, adding that it is necessary for the Romanian Press Club to take action against this practice. Romania's state-run news agency Agerpres demoted Editor-in-Chief Marina Badulescu on Tuesday 20 July and penalty of 15% of salary for just two months after she appeared to a disciplinary commission for publishing a forged interview with the singer Madalina Manole, who commited suicide on July 14th. "This is unacceptable. It is a crass violation of professional ethics," Chamber of Deputies VicePresident Victor Socaciu told Realitatea TV. Four media organisations -- the Centre for Independent Journalism (CJI), Active Watch, the Media Organisations' Conventions and the Publicmedia Association -- filed a complaint Monday with the two parliamentary commissions that supervise the means of mass information. "The very fact that this encroachment on principles was done by or with the approval of various persons with editorial responsibility of the highest rank within the agency calls into question the whole way in which Agerpres fulfills its public mandate," the four organisations said in a statement. "Besides ignoring the privacy rights and the respect due to a deceased person, some journalists brutally infringed on the ethics concerning reports in case of suicide," they said. "We consider such practices harmful, both for the audience and for the profession itself, which is already [on its way to losing] credibility." Media expert Iulian Comanescu told that some of the Agerpres staff who worked on the article were unaware of its fraudulent nature. "This title, the interview, which sounds cynical under the given circumstances, comes from the fact that one of the editorial managers at Agerpres was also tricked by the forgery, that he knew nothing about," he said. "Such things have happened before, not only in the Romanian media. They occur most of the time in the entertainment field," Comanescu said. Manole's death set off a battle between television stations for audience ratings, with some

10

of them even broadcasting her funeral live. Badulescu, the editor at the centre of the controversy, defended her actions. She said Agerpres had not sought to promote the article as Manole's "final interview". Finally, the author fake "last interview" with Madalina Manole was successful in court. After being penalized by Agerpres leadership for journalistic mistake is made, it sued the institution and received successful. Court of Appeal, Division of Labour and Social Insurance Litigation declared it harmless Marina Bdulescu, author of the material presented as "the last interview Madalina Manole". The court quashed the order in which Marina Bdulescu was sanctioned by the editor demotion and forced its leadership Agerpres compensation to pay the difference between the salary due and salary editor function declined and court costs to fund and appeal. The decision was final and irrevocable. Defense attorney put blame on other employees of Agepres "broadcast by the Deputy Director, Argentina Traicu, in complicity with another deputy, Angela Ghinea for publishing a story inconsistent with reality. In fact, isnt the first time that abusive and illegal administration AGERPRES lose in court processes. So far there have been cases in which they were involved over 140 employees of the Agency, in the name of senior management including criminal complaints there. "

Conclusion
Beyond violation privacy and respect due the deceased, some journalists brutally violated ethical rules regarding journalistic account in cases of suicide, going to public presentation of the chemical used and the commercial product that contains. Detail suicide techniques and also the dissemination of images of child Madalina Manole are serious violations of CNA. In Article 12 of the Code of Ethics for Journalists unique, stating that it "will avoid the detailed description of methods of crime, suicide techniques, flaws and will not use violent images and other morbid. Also, the journalist will avoid to cause, promote and develop news topics on the morbid events". Agency Agerpres, paid from public funds violated the most basic rules of journalism: disinformation of the public.

11

Following this event, media organizations banded together calling for an end to "sensationalist exploitation practices of personal dramas" and warns of the consequences of that breach any ethical rules have on the credibility of the press. The appeal is signed by the Centre for Independent Journalism, Active Watch - Media Monitoring Agency, Employers Association of Local Publishers (APEL), Association of Media Professionals Cluj (APPC), the Journalists Union of Hungarians in Romania (UJMR) and the Convention of Media Organizations (COM). All "strongly condemns aggressive manner, irresponsible and lacking ethics that some Romanian media have treated the case of death singer Madalina Manole". In order to be a true professional in this field, a journalist must respect the public, to respect the professional ethics of media they work and last but not least, to respect himself.

12

Bibliografie:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Manipularea opiniei publice prin televiziune, Corina Crian, Lucian Danciu, Cluj Napoca, Editura Dacia, 2000, p.155. Gheorghe Virgiliu, Efectele televiziunii asupra minii umane, Bucureti, Editura Evanghelismos i Fundaia Tradiia Romneasc, 2005 http://jamescissilv.ro/tag/madalina-manole http://www.220.ro/video-news/Imagini-Cu-Soacra-Madalinei-Razand-DupaInmormantare/VHyT2nA3hN/ http://setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/features/2010/07/22/feature-01

13