WHY DO WE NEED TO DISCUSS ETHICS ISSUES?

Due to the development of information technology and the Internet, people around the world are exposed to a huge wave of information. However, not all information is always available. There may be misinformation, disinformation, or fake information, but also other information that infringes on the rights of others. Such news and information can mislead people and cause great harm to society. In such cases, it is important for journalists to respect human rights, pay special attention to protecting one’s reputation and privacy, and work professionally and ethically.

WHAT DO MEDIA ETHICS CODES CONTAIN?

The media ethics codes primarily tells us to "seek and verify the truth" - to verify and not distort sources, to treat all opinions and voices equally, and to rely on facts.

Published and disseminated information shall respect the privacy and dignity of each individual, be free from discrimination, and have a "harm-reducing" content.

It also includes not being led by scandal, being "free from all kinds of defamation or libel," not abusing one's professional privilege, and being "responsible" by correcting mistakes in case of errors.

HOW DOES THE MEDIA COUNCIL OF MONGOLIA WORK?

The Media Council of Mongolia receives complaints from citizens and organizations regarding whether journalistic works disseminated by media outlets such as newspapers, magazines, websites, radio, and television violate the media ethics codes.

The Print and Online Media Ethics Committee and the Radio and Television Ethics Committee resolve complaints at their quarterly meetings according to the Complaint Procedure.

In addition, the Media Council of Mongolia organizes training and outreach activities for citizens, government officials, civil society organizations, researchers, and experts to contribute to the development of independent and responsible media.

HOW TO MAKE A COMPLAINT TO THE MEDIA COUNCIL OF MONGOLIA?

If a citizen believes that an article, program, or news disseminated to the public by any media organization operating in Mongolia, such as a newspaper, magazine, website, television, or radio, is unethical, he or she may file a complaint with the Media Council of Mongolia. A complaint can be filed according to the following instructions.

A complaint is considered justified if it is determined that the news and information disseminated by the media organizations violate the "Media Ethics Codes” approved in 2015. /The Media Council of Mongolia does not consider complaints filed on issues not covered by the above Media Ethics Codes/

You can file a complaint online at https://www.mediacouncil.mn/complain/new or in person by visiting the Media Council of Mongolia. You can also call the Secretariat of the Media Council of Mongolia at 7000-0160.

HOW DOES THE MEDIA COUNCIL of Mongolia RESOLVE COMPLAINTS?

The Secretariat will carefully review whether the complaint falls within the scope of the authority as defined in the Complaint Procedure of the MCM.

Before discussing a complaint, the media organization to which the complaint is addressed will be notified and given an opportunity to respond. If the media organization offers to resolve the complaint voluntarily, acknowledges its mistake and apologizes, and the complainant considers this sufficient, the complaint will be closed, and the public will be notified that the mistake has been corrected.

Ethics Committees meet in closed settings, discuss citizen complaints, conclude whether the "Media Ethics Codes" have been violated, and inform the public.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE COMPLAINT IS RESOLVED?

The Ethics Committee's conclusion will be publicly announced on the MCM’s website and other media outlets. Within five working days, the decision and conclusion will be delivered to the complainant and the media outlet to which the complaint was addressed.

The Ethics Committee does not impose any legal liability on media organizations, nor does it grant any special rights to complainants. Rather, it provides media organizations that have committed errors or violations with the opportunity to correct their mistakes through a transparent and public approach.