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E c u a d o r 15. ETHIC CODES OR SELFREGULATION Art. 81 of the Constitution imposes a duty on the news media
to preserve ethical values. In 1975, the Law of Professional Practice of Journalism created
an organ to condemn ethical transgressions by journalists through
courts of honor. The National Federation of Journalists issued a
Code of Ethics in 1978. The Law of Journalism provides: Art. 3: ?The Federation is made up of the following bodies: a) General Assembly b) National Executive
Committee c) Provincial Associations d) Courts of Honor.? Art. 6: ?The General Assembly shall draft the by-laws and set
of rules of the Federation and their amendments, while the National
Executive Committee shall do likewise with the Code of Professional
Ethics. All these documents shall be submitted for information and
legal approval to the National Ministry of Education.? Art. 11: ?The Courts of Honor will deal in first instance with
transgressions of this law and its by-laws and rules, as well as
with those relating to the Code of Professional Ethics, plus other
questions submitted to their decision pursuant to their by-laws.? Art. 12: ?Considering the magnitude and circumstances of the
transgression, the Courts of Honor shall impose the following sanctions: a) Reprimand in writing b) Fine; and e) Temporary suspension
from professional practice for a period of three months to one year.
The sanction under e) may be appealed before the National Executive
Committee within eight days after the relevant notice. When the deeds committed by a professional journalist are fraudulent,
a Court of Honor may recommend permanent suspension of professional
practice and subsequent expulsion from the provincial association
of which the journalist concerned is a member. ?In dealing with the issue, the association shall call an extraordinary
assembly to hand down a decision, which may be appealed before the
National Executive Committee within the time frame stipulated above. ?Resolutions of the National Executive Committee shall have
executory character, without prejudice of any other criminal penal
actions that may be relevant.?
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