First Resolution
In its first convention on 3 and 4 May 1999, in Dharamsala, the Club made the following declaration.
We, the working Tibetan journalists: With unflinching faith and belief in the able leadership of His Holiness the Dalai lama; Believing in serving the public best by publishing and broadcasting news in a free and fair manner; Holding that the freedom of the press and the right of information are inalienable and are inherent to the democratic process, and as such, need to be cherished and strengthened by all; Realising that the press and the Society can flourish only when individuals freely enjoys his fundamental human rights, and, therefore, we must uphold and defend these rights.
Recognising that the rights of journalists also enjoin upon them the obligation and duty to maintain the highest standards of personal and professional integrity and dignity, we pledge and declare that:
We shall all never forget that the ultimate purpose of our profession is to highlight the cause of Tibet and to unite and bring all Tibetans closer to preserve our race, culture, traditions and identity.
We shall protect and defend at all costs the right to collect and publish facts and to make fair comment and criticism.
We shall endeavour to report and interpret the news with scrupulous honesty, shall not suppress essential facts, and shall observe and protect the rule of fair play to all concerned resisting all pressures.
We shall not acquiesce in or justify the imposition of censorship by any authority in any form and we shall not ourselves try to exercise censorship on others.
We shall endeavour to uphold and defend the fundamental human rights of the Tibetan people and safeguard public interests.
We shall not let ourselves to be exploited by others, nor shall we exploit our status for personal ends. Personal matters shall not be allowed to influence professional conduct. We shall seek to maintain full public confidence in the integrity and dignity of the profession of journalism and shall ask and accept only such tasks which are compatible with its dignity and integrity.
We shall not deliberately invade personal rights and feelings of individuals unless warranted by public interests as distinguished from public curiosity. But, we shall not compromise our rights to report and expose in public interest the affairs of public figures and other influential people, for public affairs must be conducted publicly.
- We shall protect and defend at all costs the right to collect and publish facts and to make fair comment and criticism.
- We shall endeavour to report and interpret the news with scrupulous honesty, shall not suppress essential facts, and shall observe and protect the rule of fair play to all concerned resisting all pressures.
- We shall not acquiesce in or justify the imposition of censorship by any authority in any form and we shall not ourselves try to exercise censorship on others.
- We shall endeavour to uphold and defend the fundamental human rights of the Tibetan people and safeguard public interests.
- We shall not let ourselves to be exploited by others, nor shall we exploit our status for personal ends. Personal matters shall not be allowed to influence professional conduct. We shall seek to maintain full public confidence in the integrity and dignity of the profession of journalism and shall ask and accept only such tasks which are compatible with its dignity and integrity.
- We shall not deliberately invade personal rights and feelings of individuals unless warranted by public interests as distinguished from public curiosity. But, we shall not compromise our rights to report and expose in public interest the affairs of public figures and other influential people, for public affairs must be conducted publicly.
- We shall be united and individually resist assaults and pressures from any quarters and in any form on journalists in particular and the press in general in the discharge of professional work.
- We shall strive constantly to raise professional standards, and improve the quality of work.
- We shall collectively endeavour to better organise and strengthen the media in Tibetan Diaspora.
- We shall all never forget that the ultimate purpose of our profession is to highlight the cause of Tibet and to unite and bring all Tibetans closer to preserve our race, culture, traditions and identity.
Second Resolution
At the second convention of the Club, the journalists passed the following resolution.
We, the delegates gathered at the second conference of the Tibetan Independent journalists in Dharamsala, have noted that:
- The Chinese authorities have claimed earth-shaking developments inside Tibet and spread the word around the world that Tibetans inside Tibet are living a happy life;
- The Chinese authorities have invited journalists from Taiwan, Thailand, India and Nepal to cover the situation inside Tibet;
- The Chinese authorities have not invited journalists from Tibetans in Diaspora to cover their homeland;
and, therefore, we call on the Chinese authorities to invite a delegation of Tibetan Independent journalists based in Dharamsala to cover the real situation in Tibet as soon as possible for fair assessment of the situation.
Dharamsala,19 September 2000