Code of Journalistic Principles, adopted by the Belgian Association of Newspaper Publishers, the General Association of Professional Journalists of Belgium and the National Federation of the Information Newsletters in 1982.

Freedom of expression is one of the fundamental rights of man; an essential condition for public opinion to be enlightened and informed.
In its concern to preserve the integrity and freedom of the press, the Belgian Association of Newspaper Publishers, the General Association of Professional Journalists of Belgium and the National Federation of the Information Newsletters adopted the following code of principles of journalism in 1982.

THE CODE
1. FREEDOM OF THE PRESS
Freedom of the press is the main safeguard of freedom of expression, without which the protection of other basic civil freedoms cannot be ensured. The press must have the right to collect and to publish information and commentaries without hindrance, to ensure the forming of public opinion.

2. THE FACTS
Facts must be collected and reported on in an unbiased fashion.

3. SEPARATION OF INFORMATION AND COMMENT
The separation between factual reporting and commentary must be clearly visible. This principle must not prevent the journal/newspaper from presenting its own opinion as well as the viewpoints of others.

4. RESPECT FOR THE DIVERSITY OF OPINIONS
The press recognizes and respects the diversity of opinions. It defends the freedom to publish different points of views. It opposes all discrimination based on sex, race, nationality, language, religion, ideology, culture, class or conviction, provided that the convictions thus professed are not in contradiction to the respect of fundamental human rights.

5. RESPECT FOR HUMAN DIGNITY
Publishers, editors-in-chief and journalists, must respect the dignity of and the right to private life of individuals and avoid all intrusion into physical or moral suffering unless considerations related to the freedom of the press make it necessary.

6. PRESENTATION OF VIOLENCE
Crimes and terrorism as well as other cruel and inhuman activities must not be glorified.

7. CORRECTION OF ERRONEOUS INFORMATION
Facts and information proved to be false must be corrected without restriction and without prejudice to the legal provision of the right to reply.

8. PROTECTION OF SOURCES OF INFORMATION
Sources of confidential information cannot be revealed without the explicit authorisation of the informant.

9. SECRECY
Secrecy of public and private affairs as defined by law cannot prevent the freedom of the press.

10. HUMAN RIGHTS
Should the freedom of expression be in conflict with other fundamental rights, it is up to the editors (in consultation with the journalists concerned) to decide on their own responsibility to which right they will give priority.

11. INDEPENDENCE
Newspapers and journalists must not give in to any outside pressure.

12. ADVERTISEMENTS
Advertisements must be presented in such a way that they cannot be confused with factual information.