It appears that globalization has churned up a paradigm shift in value system for professional journalists worldwide and particularly in the Asian-Middle East region. Recently, in the world of professional journalism, some discussions have been made on Value-based journalism (VBJ) in order to derive journalism to serve more to public interest and for a self-regulatory mechanism. Some one argued that if the owner of a publication ignores ethical values, then the journalists who work with them will not be able to adhere to all the ethical standards. Ethical values and codes may make journalists more responsible. If journalism is to be more professionalized, its practitioners should adhere to such values.
In an online questionnaire based international survey on Value-base journalism, about 93% of respondents from, Asia and the Middle East region perceived that ΄truth and accuracy΄ are their top values while reporting news and views. It means that journalists have to report the truth, even if it may seem shocking to some people. This finding has implications because the public may judge daily by how accurately newspapers portray news stories. If the public believe that newspapers lack credibility, it would be difficult for them to survive. These findings also support the previous surveys, for example, http://www.asne.org/kiosk/reports/99reports/1999examiningourcredibility/p7-10_Accuracy.html
The objectives of the survey were to enlighten and create awareness in the public because there seems to be varied opinions that journalists are more ethical than people realize. A total of 522 emails were sent out to the journalists in several countries in the Asia-Middle East region. 71 responses were received, out of which, 55 were the usable questionnaires. The participants in this survey were editors, sub-editors, reporters, columnists and freelance journalists. Responses were received from India , Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Yemen, Egypt, China-Hong Kong, Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Bhutan. About 42% were female respondents The survey was carried out between November 2007 to January 2008
Other notable results were that more than 85% also follow or adhere to completeness, objectivity, public interest, and verification of facts, accountability, courage, and Independence. However, there were statistical differences in respect of ΄fairness" and ΄transparency΄. Female journalists have a higher tendency to be fairer because of gender characteristics as males are generally inclined to be aggressive.
Responses from India reveal significant difference only in respect of ΄ Truth and Accuracy" as compared to the rest of the world (ROW). However, one of the respondents from India commented , " I think by and large the media is objective and independent. Trouble is taken to research and confirm facts." Another states, "We have to follow trends or else we will be called unprofessional and then it will be too hard to survive in this profession. We have got principles and values but we can΄t change the world what is in our hands is just to change our attitude towards the world". We must maintain an independence from others whom we cover in interviews or in news stories. We should not be unduly influenced even if we agree with others opinions", another adds from India.
However, a comparison of responses between India and other countries in the Asian region also showed some significant differences in their responses. Particularly, mean scores in respect of "Aggressiveness" was higher for respondents from India than for the respondents from other countries in Asia.
Furthermore, over 71% of respondents stated that sensationalizing has become common in news and views stories. Previous surveys revealed that sensationalism could be produced in the form of "emotive language, exaggeration, and shallow research, selective emphasis over dramatization, of facts and human situation, bloated headlines, melodrama that overstates the facts or circumstance". One respondent from the Middle East region stated that media sensationalism is almost out of control with respect to human decency and values. Sensationalizing may be when it relates to the general public. Another stated, from China , "There is clearly self-censorship to play within the English language media. I cannot comment on Chinese-language media although, I expect so. Chinese media sensationalizes stories far more than English-language newspapers." At the same time, another respondent from China-HK suggests , " Serious journalism should avoid sensationalism. There are other ways to attract readers΄ attention." . Sensational news may sell magazine covers but in the end, the readers will always look for solid, unbiased news." another stated from Nepal.
Another respondent from India suggests a more careful approach is necessary in dealing with certain issues. For example, sometimes if it is a sensitive issue, care has to be taken not to tread on too many toes and not hurt the sentiments of anyone. Sensationalizing may be in the right context. Given the fact that we have so many television channels spouting news, sensationalism is attention seeking but it must be supported by hard facts." . Other from India categorically stated ," legally, India still has a more free press than even the US. News is now being increasingly packaged to specifications and sold, not just written or informed, to newspaper consumers, who are not considered just readers anymore. Naturally, sensationalism gets a premium in certain news areas."
Value-based journalism is the ultimate goal of journalists but hindrances abound. Respondents stated that there are a number of hindrances in following a value-based approach to journalism. Some of them may be editorial problems, lack of creativity, access to information, political control and pressure, and commercial and marketing strategies of the media houses. In this context, one respondent from Egypt states, "editorial indifference to the serious journalism is a concern. Yellow press is more appreciated than investigative journalism. People are not ready to face their problems, especially in the Middle Eastern countries like Egypt." Lack of feedback from readers and the governing system may be other problems, commented by another from the Middle East.
Following a value-based approach is very essential in developing countries for achieving a full press freedom and a mechanism for self regulation of the journalists. .
Value-based journalism is an evolving concept based on a set of universal core values. These values guide us in making distinctions between right and wrong, good and bad, what we should do and what we shouldn΄t. They enable us to decide between the more or less important issues. In respect of journalism, which is viewed as a public service, such values may be considered as standards of behavior or guiding principles to be followed by journalists in providing news, views and analysis that is true and accurate, balanced and unbiased, transparent, and without fear or favor, to the civic society. Professor G. Picard, Jφnkφping University, Sweden, provides a comprehensive explanation of VBJ as follows:
" In my mind the term VBJ is primarily used to refer to information gathered and reported based on underlying moral and professional principles and beliefs. In that use, the information should be the results of efforts to establish its truth, that it should be meaningful and that it should help improve the human condition. This definition emphasizes the philosophical notion of value rather than the economic notion. It is something done outside the reader, viewer and listener, and centers on the approach and activities of journalists and news organizations. VBJ creates immediate and lasting value to the reader, viewer or listener. It is journalism that has consequence that explains what is happening in the world surrounding its recipient, which attempts to help, improve the understanding of the reader to respond to life and to play an effective role in society. In order to do so, it must be honest journalism pursuing truth and attempting to achieve the objectives of the philosophical approach. However, it must be the responsibility of journalists to set fair standards, and focus on the questions that are fundamentally important to audiences. It must serve members of the public and address them as important, worthy and respected individuals."
Table 1: Survey responses ( in percentages)
Set of universal core values Asia**..Rank..India .Rank
(N=55) N=30)
Truth and accuracy . 93.0 .1 92.6 1
Verifications of facts .. .. 88.2 .. 2 86.6 4.5
Public interest .. 86.8 . 3 86.6 4.5
Independence . .. 86.2 . .4 84.6 8.5
Objectivity 85.8 ..5.5 88.0 3
Accountantability . . 85.8 . 5.5 86.6 4.5
Completeness . . 84.6 7 . 88.8 2
Fairness .. 83.6 . 8.5 84.6 8.5
Courage .. 83.6 . 8.5 85.4 7
Inquisitiveness .. 80.6 10 . 81.2 11
Transparency . 79.6 . 11 82.6 . 10
Compassion . 78.4 . 12.5 80.0 . 12
Perseverance . .. 78.4 . 12.5 76.6 . 13
Avoiding others privacy .. 75.2 . 14 74.0 . 14
Loyalty .. 68.4 . 15 68.2 . 16
Aggressiveness .. 67.4 . 16 68.6 . 15
N=number of responses
Responses for Asia also include responses from India
In an online questionnaire based international survey on Value-base journalism, about 93% of respondents from, Asia and the Middle East region perceived that ΄truth and accuracy΄ are their top values while reporting news and views. It means that journalists have to report the truth, even if it may seem shocking to some people. This finding has implications because the public may judge daily by how accurately newspapers portray news stories. If the public believe that newspapers lack credibility, it would be difficult for them to survive. These findings also support the previous surveys, for example, http://www.asne.org/kiosk/reports/99reports/1999examiningourcredibility/p7-10_Accuracy.html
The objectives of the survey were to enlighten and create awareness in the public because there seems to be varied opinions that journalists are more ethical than people realize. A total of 522 emails were sent out to the journalists in several countries in the Asia-Middle East region. 71 responses were received, out of which, 55 were the usable questionnaires. The participants in this survey were editors, sub-editors, reporters, columnists and freelance journalists. Responses were received from India , Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Yemen, Egypt, China-Hong Kong, Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Bhutan. About 42% were female respondents The survey was carried out between November 2007 to January 2008
Other notable results were that more than 85% also follow or adhere to completeness, objectivity, public interest, and verification of facts, accountability, courage, and Independence. However, there were statistical differences in respect of ΄fairness" and ΄transparency΄. Female journalists have a higher tendency to be fairer because of gender characteristics as males are generally inclined to be aggressive.
Responses from India reveal significant difference only in respect of ΄ Truth and Accuracy" as compared to the rest of the world (ROW). However, one of the respondents from India commented , " I think by and large the media is objective and independent. Trouble is taken to research and confirm facts." Another states, "We have to follow trends or else we will be called unprofessional and then it will be too hard to survive in this profession. We have got principles and values but we can΄t change the world what is in our hands is just to change our attitude towards the world". We must maintain an independence from others whom we cover in interviews or in news stories. We should not be unduly influenced even if we agree with others opinions", another adds from India.
However, a comparison of responses between India and other countries in the Asian region also showed some significant differences in their responses. Particularly, mean scores in respect of "Aggressiveness" was higher for respondents from India than for the respondents from other countries in Asia.
Furthermore, over 71% of respondents stated that sensationalizing has become common in news and views stories. Previous surveys revealed that sensationalism could be produced in the form of "emotive language, exaggeration, and shallow research, selective emphasis over dramatization, of facts and human situation, bloated headlines, melodrama that overstates the facts or circumstance". One respondent from the Middle East region stated that media sensationalism is almost out of control with respect to human decency and values. Sensationalizing may be when it relates to the general public. Another stated, from China , "There is clearly self-censorship to play within the English language media. I cannot comment on Chinese-language media although, I expect so. Chinese media sensationalizes stories far more than English-language newspapers." At the same time, another respondent from China-HK suggests , " Serious journalism should avoid sensationalism. There are other ways to attract readers΄ attention." . Sensational news may sell magazine covers but in the end, the readers will always look for solid, unbiased news." another stated from Nepal.
Another respondent from India suggests a more careful approach is necessary in dealing with certain issues. For example, sometimes if it is a sensitive issue, care has to be taken not to tread on too many toes and not hurt the sentiments of anyone. Sensationalizing may be in the right context. Given the fact that we have so many television channels spouting news, sensationalism is attention seeking but it must be supported by hard facts." . Other from India categorically stated ," legally, India still has a more free press than even the US. News is now being increasingly packaged to specifications and sold, not just written or informed, to newspaper consumers, who are not considered just readers anymore. Naturally, sensationalism gets a premium in certain news areas."
Value-based journalism is the ultimate goal of journalists but hindrances abound. Respondents stated that there are a number of hindrances in following a value-based approach to journalism. Some of them may be editorial problems, lack of creativity, access to information, political control and pressure, and commercial and marketing strategies of the media houses. In this context, one respondent from Egypt states, "editorial indifference to the serious journalism is a concern. Yellow press is more appreciated than investigative journalism. People are not ready to face their problems, especially in the Middle Eastern countries like Egypt." Lack of feedback from readers and the governing system may be other problems, commented by another from the Middle East.
Following a value-based approach is very essential in developing countries for achieving a full press freedom and a mechanism for self regulation of the journalists. .
Value-based journalism is an evolving concept based on a set of universal core values. These values guide us in making distinctions between right and wrong, good and bad, what we should do and what we shouldn΄t. They enable us to decide between the more or less important issues. In respect of journalism, which is viewed as a public service, such values may be considered as standards of behavior or guiding principles to be followed by journalists in providing news, views and analysis that is true and accurate, balanced and unbiased, transparent, and without fear or favor, to the civic society. Professor G. Picard, Jφnkφping University, Sweden, provides a comprehensive explanation of VBJ as follows:
" In my mind the term VBJ is primarily used to refer to information gathered and reported based on underlying moral and professional principles and beliefs. In that use, the information should be the results of efforts to establish its truth, that it should be meaningful and that it should help improve the human condition. This definition emphasizes the philosophical notion of value rather than the economic notion. It is something done outside the reader, viewer and listener, and centers on the approach and activities of journalists and news organizations. VBJ creates immediate and lasting value to the reader, viewer or listener. It is journalism that has consequence that explains what is happening in the world surrounding its recipient, which attempts to help, improve the understanding of the reader to respond to life and to play an effective role in society. In order to do so, it must be honest journalism pursuing truth and attempting to achieve the objectives of the philosophical approach. However, it must be the responsibility of journalists to set fair standards, and focus on the questions that are fundamentally important to audiences. It must serve members of the public and address them as important, worthy and respected individuals."
Table 1: Survey responses ( in percentages)
Set of universal core values Asia**..Rank..India .Rank
(N=55) N=30)
Truth and accuracy . 93.0 .1 92.6 1
Verifications of facts .. .. 88.2 .. 2 86.6 4.5
Public interest .. 86.8 . 3 86.6 4.5
Independence . .. 86.2 . .4 84.6 8.5
Objectivity 85.8 ..5.5 88.0 3
Accountantability . . 85.8 . 5.5 86.6 4.5
Completeness . . 84.6 7 . 88.8 2
Fairness .. 83.6 . 8.5 84.6 8.5
Courage .. 83.6 . 8.5 85.4 7
Inquisitiveness .. 80.6 10 . 81.2 11
Transparency . 79.6 . 11 82.6 . 10
Compassion . 78.4 . 12.5 80.0 . 12
Perseverance . .. 78.4 . 12.5 76.6 . 13
Avoiding others privacy .. 75.2 . 14 74.0 . 14
Loyalty .. 68.4 . 15 68.2 . 16
Aggressiveness .. 67.4 . 16 68.6 . 15
N=number of responses
Responses for Asia also include responses from India
