Statement
The Mauritanian Journalists’ Union has followed media coverage in recent days of the national examinations held in the country during the past week.
While praising the professional standards shown by most public and private media in covering this national event, the Union notes with deep concern practices by some media, particularly certain digital platforms, that are inconsistent with professional standards and journalistic ethics.
These practices have included unjustified exploitation of children’s and minors’ innocence and the broadcasting of statements and content that offend public decency and diminish the standing and dignity of members of the educational community, including teachers and professors. Such conduct departs from the media’s noble mission and its role in upholding values and respecting the code of ethics.
The Union notes that seeking more views or engagement on social media cannot justify abandoning professional principles or crossing the ethical boundaries governing journalism, especially where children or educators’ image and standing in society are concerned.
In keeping with its professional responsibility, the Mauritanian Journalists’ Union affirms that any media material that undermines educators’ dignity, violates children’s rights or offends public decency does not reflect the values of professional journalism and is inconsistent with the professional code of ethics.
The Union therefore calls on media directors and editors-in-chief to strengthen editorial oversight before publication or broadcast and ensure compliance with professional and ethical standards. It also urges journalists, photographers and content creators to uphold the media’s social responsibility and strictly observe the professional code of ethics, protecting individual dignity, children’s rights and society’s values, and strengthening public trust in the media’s mission.
Professional Ethics Secretariat
Mauritanian Journalists’ Union