Israeli radio and television newscasters were ordered last night to present only the facts and to refrain from comment in the broadcast of news. The order was part of a sweeping code of conduct for the broadcast media adopted by the executive committee of the Israel Broadcasting Authority, an independent quasi-governmental body.
The code was worked out by Nakdimon Rogel, a former director of the television service. News reporters and editors were told that negative topics should not be the only part or the major part of newscasts. They were warned that interviewers should not act as inquisitors and instructed not to mention the country of origin, ethnic community, race or religion of persons mentioned in an unfavorable context in news broadcasts.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
