Press Council hosts debate on journalistic neutrality and political engagement

The Press Council organized a debate titled “Should a journalist have a political stance?” at the UNS Press Center on October 13. The discussion addressed whether journalists can support social ideas, participate in protests, or criticize government decisions without compromising their professionalism or public trust.

Participants agreed that while journalists cannot be expected to lack opinions on the society they live in, they must maintain professional standards. Olivera Milošević, Vice President of the UNS and member of the Press Council Complaints Commission, emphasized that the core issue is not whether journalists hold political beliefs, but whether those beliefs influence their work. She noted a distinction between having a personal opinion, expressing it publicly, and actively participating in political party activities or election campaigns.

Key professional requirements identified include verifying information regardless of political leanings, listening to all relevant parties, and clearly separating facts from personal commentary. The debate also touched upon how newsrooms manage the boundary between journalism and activism, with some outlets implementing internal rules to address these dilemmas.