Klix - sensation or ethics?

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The media have always aspired to sensational reporting, and have dealt with the private lives of public figures (as well as gossip), black chronicles and the like, from the moment of their existence. The journalists, in race for sensational news, completely ignore the ethics of information.

Adis Karadza, editor in chief of Bosnian widely read portal Klix.ba was our collocutor on ethics of internet portals.

Can we conclude that there are no ethical standards at internet portals? Or there is?

"When it comes to respecting the ethical standards at the portals, it is wrong to make generalizations and nominate things as if being only black or only white. My opinion is that editorial boards of several established portals really tend to respect ethical standards and professional codes. In doing so, of course, mistakes happen, which I am sure are the result of unintentional omissions, and that the situation is far better than in the print media or TV stations."

Should any information be disclosed by any means, leading with exclusivity, or perhaps we are to look on the other side as well, how much is that a matter of ethics (morality), because sometimes we could unintentionally offend someone?

"One should always try to respect the code of ethics and professional standards, but in practice the situation is quite different, and sometimes journalists in a wish to publish exclusive news make mistakes, do not respect the rule of the other hand, three of sources, etc. However, given the current feedback of users at the portals, it is clear that such situations are not of use for readers or newsrooms, and I believe desire for exclusivity in the future period is going to reduce at all costs."

Journalists in the race for sensation ignore the ethics of information? What is the case with Klix.ba?

"I cannot speak completely objective about this, with regard to my position, but we try to be objective, professional, and to focus on the public interest and the interest of our readers."

Many experts deal with ethical regulation of internet portals, and there is much controversy. For example, should internet be regulated like other traditional media, or some other rules should be applied in accordance with its peculiarities?

"A journalism is a journalism, regardless of the platform. It should be equally treated and regulated, in both electronic and print media. Internet certainly has its own features that should be treated separately, but the basic principles of journalism should never be ignored."

In Bosnia and Herzegovina and South East Europe, media self-regulatory departments are not established, and it is an obligation of ethical department of journalistic organization to maintain in taking care about ethically controversial web contents.

"Let me remind you that at the moment in Bosnia and Herzegovina exists and studiously works the Press Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is a self-regulatory department for print and online media. Portal Klix.ba is a member of the Press Council since 2010. and actively participates in the work of the Board and Assembly. The Code of the Press Council treats online media also, and is derived from the existing European standards of journalistic practice."

All members of the BH Journalists Association are required to adhere to the highest professional and ethical standards. Here you can find the Code of Honor of bh. Journalists.