The core of the swedish mass media system

Résumé du document

The issue with the regulation and ethics of journalism and media is intrinsic to the existence of the freedom of expression. The mere fact that this freedom exists, raises a difficult question to each journalist, does the freedom of expression and media allow me to report any event in any form? The differences between the strong system of media ethics based on an efficient self-regulation in Sweden, and the weak French system based on laws, can give an overview of the advantages and weaknesses of each system.

Extraits

[...] The strong self-regulation of the mass media system in Sweden can also be explained by the fact that there is a permanent public debate over the question of ethics. The public awareness is very high and this is important because Sweden enters a period where the risks of drifts raise: the economic issues of competition and advertising raise the temptation to always be more sensational. The Code of Conduct reflects the values of the Society and this values are in general shared among journalists and public (Weibull and Börjesson, 2001). [...]

[...] But what are the definitions of public and private? What can be considered as private for a public person? Can we think that the more public responsibilities a person has, the less right of private life he has? Bibliography Von Dewall, Gustaf (1997) Comparisons & Main Conclusions pp. 220-235 in Press ethics : Regulation and editorial practice. Media Monograph No.21. Düsseldorf : European Institute for the Media. Weibull, Lennart and Britt Börjesson (2001) in Sweden. [...]

[...] However, the decision to give or withdraw this card does not involve issues of ethics. Actually, there is no consensus within the journalists to create a Council which could punish them for having scorn ethics. The legislative solution is preferred for the moment. The first reason is that the idea of an for the journalists is still connoted with the period of the Vichy's government during the Second World War. Secondly the idea of sanction is for most of French journalists an alienation of the freedom of expression. [...]

[...] The problem is that these organisations are not centralized and no publicity is done to make them know. Finally, personal integrity and protection of privacy are issues of ethic for both Sweden and France but each country has a different definition of what should be taken as a journalistic matter. In France, “protection of privacy is among the strongest in Europe” (Von Dewall, 1997). Private life, even the one of politicians, is protected by the law against intrusions of journalists. [...]

[...] Stability and Change” pp.349-366 in Bertrand Claude-Jean (ed.) An arsenal for Democracy. Media Accountability Systems. Cresshill, New Jersey : Hampton Press Inc. [...]