Introduction: Why This Charter Still Matters Today

In an age dominated by AI, digital polarization, misinformation, hate speech, algorithm-driven manipulation, and the erosion of public trust in media, the call for responsible and ethical communication has become more urgent than ever.

More than a decade ago, Muslim scholars, media professionals, and intellectuals gathered under the auspices of the Muslim World League and the Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs in Jakarta to formulate a principled framework for ethical media practice rooted in human dignity, truthfulness, moderation, and social responsibility.

Although the original declaration was issued in 2011, its central concerns remain strikingly relevant today:

• the spread of extremism and hate speech,

• the misuse of religion and identity politics,

• the manipulation of public opinion,

• attacks on cultural and moral values,

• growing social fragmentation, and

• the urgent need for ethical journalism and responsible digital communication.

At the same time, some of the language and formulations reflected the political and media discourse of their time. The present revised edition seeks to preserve the spirit and foundational principles of the declaration while presenting them in a contemporary, balanced, inclusive, and globally relevant language suitable for today’s interconnected world.

This renewed charter emphasizes professionalism, human dignity, freedom with responsibility, interfaith understanding, social cohesion, factual integrity, and constructive engagement with humanity’s shared challenges.

Charter for Responsible and Ethical Media

(Adopted at the Second International Conference on Islamic Media, Jakarta, Indonesia — December 2011)

In the Name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful

Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and peace and blessings be upon Prophet Muhammad, his family, and companions.

Inspired by the ethical teachings of Islam, which call for justice, wisdom, truthfulness, compassion, and respectful dialogue, and recognizing the profound influence of media in shaping societies, cultures, and public consciousness, this Charter sets forth guiding principles for responsible media institutions and practitioners.

The Charter affirms that media is not merely a tool of information, but also a trust and a public responsibility that can contribute either to peace and understanding or to division and conflict.

Accordingly, media professionals and institutions commit themselves to the following principles and responsibilities:

I. CORE PRINCIPLES AND OBJECTIVES

• Human Dignity and Ethical Responsibility: Media should uphold human dignity, moral responsibility, compassion, and justice, reflecting the universal values of mercy, respect, and truth.

• Protection of Cultural and Religious Identity: Media institutions should contribute to preserving cultural authenticity, ethical values, and religious identity while remaining open to constructive global engagement and intercultural dialogue.

• Promotion of Moderation and Wisdom: Media discourse should encourage balance, wisdom, tolerance, and respectful engagement with others, avoiding extremism, hatred, and polarization.

• Commitment to Truth and Accuracy: Media professionals should present information honestly, accurately, and transparently, adhering to professional ethics and verified facts.

• Responsible Freedom of Expression: Freedom of expression is a fundamental right that should be exercised responsibly, with due regard for public interest, ethical standards, human dignity, and social harmony.

II. RIGHTS AND PROFESSIONAL GUARANTEES

• Freedom of Responsible Expression: Media professionals have the right to express views and opinions responsibly and ethically without intimidation or unlawful restriction.

• Right to Access Information: Societies have the right to reliable information, transparency, and responsible journalism that serves the public good.

• Protection and Safety of Journalists: Media workers should be provided with safe and fair working environments, particularly during conflicts, crises, and humanitarian emergencies, in accordance with international standards.

III. RESPONSIBILITIES OF MEDIA INSTITUTIONS

• Promoting Understanding and Dialogue: Media should encourage mutual understanding among peoples, cultures, and civilizations and contribute to peaceful coexistence.

• Preserving Cultural Heritage: Media institutions should value cultural, intellectual, and linguistic heritage, including the Arabic language as a language of the Qur’an and Islamic civilization.

• Supporting Social Cohesion: Media should strengthen social unity and reject racism, sectarianism, tribalism, ethnic hatred, and all forms of discrimination.

• Countering Extremism and Hate Speech: Media should actively reject violence, terrorism, incitement, religious hatred, and ideological extremism in all forms.

• Encouraging Development and Knowledge: Media should contribute to education, innovation, human development, and constructive public awareness.

IV. ETHICAL DUTIES OF MEDIA PROFESSIONALS

• Respect for Faiths and Sacred Values: Media professionals should avoid content that deliberately insults religions, sacred symbols, or revered personalities while maintaining professional standards of fair and constructive criticism.

• Rejecting Violence and Incitement: Media should never promote violence, hatred, terrorism, or social unrest, nor allow religion or identity to be exploited for political manipulation or division.

• Accuracy and Verification: Journalists and media practitioners must verify information carefully, avoid misinformation and rumors, and distinguish clearly between fact, opinion, and propaganda.

• Ethical Methods of Information Gathering: Information should be obtained through lawful and ethical means without coercion, blackmail, intimidation, or violation of privacy.

• Integrity and Professionalism: Media professionals should avoid sensationalism, fabricated narratives, misleading headlines, and manipulation designed solely to attract attention or provoke fear.

• Respectful Public Discourse: Language used in media should uphold civility, respect, and professionalism, avoiding defamation, personal attacks, obscenity, humiliation, or the spread of malicious rumors.

• Protection of Children and Families: Media should safeguard children and young people from harmful content that threatens their moral, psychological, or physical well-being.

• Ethical Advertising: Advertisements should not promote harmful, exploitative, deceptive, or socially destructive products or behaviors, and editorial independence must remain protected.

• Respect for Vulnerable Groups: Media should respect persons with disabilities and vulnerable communities and avoid ridicule, stereotyping, or discriminatory portrayals.

• Responsible Digital Communication: Media professionals should engage responsibly in digital and social media spaces, ensuring fairness, accountability, and respect for the rights of others.

• Respect for Judicial Integrity: Media coverage of legal proceedings should avoid prejudicing investigations or influencing judicial processes unfairly.

• Innovation and Technological Advancement: Media institutions should responsibly embrace emerging technologies, digital communication tools, and multimedia innovation in ways that benefit humanity and promote ethical communication.

Conclusion

This Charter represents a renewed call for ethical media rooted in truth, responsibility, moderation, professionalism, and human dignity.

At a time when the world faces unprecedented communication challenges, ethical media must become a force for peace rather than division, for knowledge rather than manipulation, and for human understanding rather than hatred.

The enduring message of this Charter is that responsible media can help build societies founded on justice, coexistence, compassion, and shared human values.