Journalist in newspapers and press oficcers: different roles; same ethics code

Abstract

Press officers are journalists? This question divides professionals and researchers. Alberto Dines, for example, defends the Portuguese model, which separates, for moral reasons, journalism and press office. Eugenio Bucci argues that they are two different professions and, using the comparison to the legal field, points clear moral conflicts. Through a normative discussion by comparing the ethics of journalism with the law, this article argues otherwise. There is no tight separation of professions between the judge and the lawyer, all agents are linked to the same moral guideline. The press office area in Brazil has developed a unique and more committed way with the rights of citizens. Within the journalistic system, it is linked to the moral values of journalism, although it does not strictly have the same obligations as editorial journalists. To adopt any conception that links the press office to the practices of instrumental communication is to move backwards.