Transgressor Fyaduta :: Charter'97 :: News

On November 7 Commission on ethics of the Belarusian association of journalists (further BAJ) received a petition of BAJ member Zmitser Bandarenka with the request to consider the proposal to expel Alyaksandar Fyaduta from the organization. In Bandarenka’s opinion, Fyaduta “in his articles and interviews in Belarusian and international press repeatedly made vulgar, offensive and dishonest attacks on well-known Belarusian figures of democratic movement, as well as on his colleagues from the BAJ”. Z. Bandarenka produced to the commission the article by A. Bahutski “Coalition of a grass-snake and a hedgehog”, placed on the site “Belarusfree”, Fyaduta’s interview to the “Belarusian Business Newspaper”, to the “Belaruskaya Gazeta” and informational agency “Interfax” made in 2001, as well as the articles “Charter against Heiken” and “Parting with Michael Kozak”.

After consideration of the interview and articles by Fyaduta, the Commission on Ethics came to a conclusion that in these articles the author had not met the requirements of the Declaration of principles of professional ethics of a journalist, basing some of his judgments on unconfirmed information, did not give word to all person concerned, did not strive for objectiveness, made tactless statements addressed to third persons, violating journalistic ethics.

According to this, basing on the provisions of the Commission on Ethics of the BAJ and on the Declaration of professional ethics principles, the Commission by a majority DECIDED:

- to admit that the BAJ member A. Fyaduta had made a violation of professional ethics in his articles;
- to recommend the BAJ council to inform the public on the facts of the matter and on the decision made.

Member of the Commission has expressed an individual opinion:
- A.Fyaduta has violated requirement of professional ethics while acting as editor of the site “Belarusfree”, when he placed the article by A.Bahutski, based on unconfirmed information;
- to recommend the BAJ Council to express public censure to the transgressor violator.

Passed on December 22, 2003 by the Commission on Ethics of the “Belarusian Association of Journalists” consisting of S.Zakonnikaw (chairman of the commission), I. Karamyshaw (secretary), A.Bastunets, S.Vahanaw, I.Sakalova, V.Janukevich.

Coordinator of the civil initiative Charter’97 Zmitser Bandarenka commented the BAJ decision in the following way:

- I am satisfied by the decision of the Commission on ethics of the BAJ. The commission had a difficult task, as the BAJ is not a judicial body.
The BAJ could pass only three decisions: first, to declare that Fyaduta has not made violation of the journalists ethics; secondly, to admit that he has made such a violation; and thirdly, that he has made a violation, and expel him from the organization.

Members of the commission carefully examined the materials provided by me, containing, to my opinion, deceitful and insulting attacks on me personally and on the initiative Charter’97, as well as on other democratic organizations and their leaders. In these materials Alyaksandar Fyaduta asserted that he possesses facts and documents, substantiating his accusations. Members of the Commission and me asked Fyaduta to show these documents and facts, and these proofs would not be produced, to apologize to persons whom he had accused. Naturally, Mister Fyaduta had no substantiation, and the Commission approved that decision. Another positive result of the consideration of this case was that Fyaduta promised to apologize to Vintsuk Vyachorka, about whom Mr. Bahutski spoke offensively in his article in the site “Belarusfree”.