Hi Mervyn, There are multiple 'Codes of Conduct', but none that applies uniformly to journalists and newspapers. Journalists (maybe understandably) cry blue murder when there are any attempts by the governemnt/s to implement a code, but have done precious nothing to bring about a voluntary code that keeps the profession on track. Professional bodies nowadays seem more intent on merely ensuring wage-hikes and extracting priviledges (from government or whoever!)
Basically, there are laws to tackle copyright violation. But the big players know only too well that a court process could take years in this part of the globe. On the positive side, even big players can be embarassed by the negative publicity emerging from such cases, as seems to be the case from [http://www.flickr.com/photos/twilightfairy/2720464496/] Incidentally, this debate is relevant not just to the "all rights reserved" category of material. Even Creative Commons and its "some rights reserved" allows the creator (photographer, writer, etc) to put certain restrictions on the re-use of his or her photographs. For instance, most of my 17000+ photos online are under a "non-commercial, attribution" license. Meaning, anyone who wants to reproduce them for non-commercial purposes is free to do so with attribution. For commercial reproduction, others are required to seek permission. I would like to add here that I've always encouraged non-commercial reproduction (and sometimes commercial reproduction too, depending on the situation). What's more, whenever I've asked complete strangers for permission to reproduce their photographs with my writings (on blogs or whereever), I've never been turned down so far. If only the ToI had to ask JoeGoaUK for permission and placed his name on the printed copy, he would have possibly been thrilled instead of feeling outraged. Financial compensation can help, but more often, it's just the feeling of being taken so badly for granted that hurts! Over to you, JoeGoaUK! I'm just the postman (conveying news and some opinions) in this case. FN 2008/10/13 Mervyn & Elsie Maciel <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>: > I was surprised to see from FN's post that TOI and/or Goa Times have been > stealing pictures etc from the net. What cheek! > People who should know better what "All Rights Reserved" means seem quite > happy to flout the law. > I am no journalist, but would imagine that there is such a thing as a > 'Code of Conduct' in journalism? -- FN * Independent Journalist http://fn.goa-india.org M: +91-9822122436 P: +91-832-2409490
