DEFINITION OF NEWS AGENCIES

News agencies are companies that supply all the information to the media (newspapers and magazines, radio, television, websites, books, audiotel, Minitel, or any other media present or future) in any form whatsoever and derive their main income from these sales. They participate early in the news chain.

They gather, package and disseminate this information to all media under strict observance of very stringent ethical rules which are in addition to the regulations of news agencies defined in the Ordinance of November 2, 1945 (as amended) and prohibiting such agencies from engaging in any form of advertising for third parties. News agencies undertake to use the services of professional journalists and to guarantee their integrity and their independence.
No company can claim the term "news agency" if it is not on the list proposed by the Committee on Press Publications and Press Agencies (CPPAP).

RESPONSABILITY

News agencies are independent and responsible for the information they disseminate. The latter is accurate and truthful. The plurality of the news and views presented should be fair. Truth is the guiding principle of this business. News agencies and journalists working for them avoid any practice that may undermine their capacity to report and deliver fair, accurate and unbiased reporting. The agency supports the right to freedom of expression for all, freedom of the press and respect for people's right to privacy. News agencies shall not exclude from the scope of their investigation any information likely to interest the public.

BALANCE AND ACCURACY

Agencies try to strike a balance of the information disseminated by multiplying the sources and crosschecking. They guard against inaccuracies, omissions, misinterpretations avoiding exaggeration, omission or technological manipulation. They acknowledge mistakes and make sure they get them right as soon as possible.

INTEGRITY

News agencies strive to treat all subjects with due accuracy and impartiality in their news reporting. Personal comments expressed by the journalists are clearly separated from the rendering of the facts. News agencies do not reflect their own interests in rendering the facts. They give preferential treatment to no one

INDEPENDENCE

News agencies and journalists are free and shall not be held responsible with respect to sources of information whatsoever. News agencies and journalists do not accept gifts or benefits that may significantly influence the rendering of facts.