OSCE press freedom office trains media professionals to foster ethical standards and boost self-regulation

ODESA, Ukraine, 29 July 2008 - Promoting media self-regulation as a credible mechanism for upholding journalistic ethics and professionalism is the aim of a two-day OSCE training course that started in Odesa today.

The event, organized by the Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, brings together 30 participants from the Odesa region. International and local experts will conduct sessions on journalists' responsibilities and on self-regulation mechanisms.

"Self-regulation is the right way to enhance professionalism and accountability. No governmental regulations will make the press more ethical or professional. We hope that this seminar will help journalists understand the benefits of respecting ethical guidelines. Self-regulation is not self-censorship but the right alternative to state interference and legal action against the media," said Alexander Boldyrev, the Senior Adviser of the OSCE media freedom representative.

The training course is part of a broader campaign by the OSCE Representative to promote mechanisms of media self-regulation in the OSCE participating States. It follows the publication of a practical guidebook on the topic, which will be used in the training course.

The Media Self-Regulation Guidebook is available in English, French and Russian from the Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media and online at: www.osce.org/fom/publications.html