Legal. Equal. Equality.
12. Apr 2026,
GAL? Could this be the ultimate core of justice? The hardcore gene of civilized society? Could well be – because these three letters, GAL, hide inside many a meaningful word. Is it even egal if a book about Égalité sits legal and regal on the gallery shelf in Portugal? Too much of a good GAL? Well, maybe – but that is not the least bit illegal.
In the daily battle for media headlines, some editors somersault through rhetorical hoops.
Those famously piss-yellow tabloid editions are never short of a headline.
After all, there is always a publisher behind the product.
And that publisher doesn’t just publish – they want to see fat profits along with their stakeholders.
At least once a year.
And along the way, some of the media’s ethical commitments can quietly get left by the roadside.
Pardon – ethics?
Oh yes, the fourth estate – the media – has more or less voluntarily strapped itself into an ethical guardrail.
Because readers want above all one thing: news with a high percentage of content of truth, a.k.a. facts.
Trace elements won’t cut it.
And lo and behold, the list of moral and ethical principles reads rather well.
“Write the truth!” is one of the media’s primary obligations – to put their published content through a lie-detector test.
“Stay fair!” Perspectives are part of most stories, because the one-and-only possible perspective belongs more in the realm of fairy tales. Those who work in media should present all sides of a story fairly and without bias. Full stop.
“Stay independent in your writing!” – even when pressure comes from the outside or from the company’s owner. Journalists and media organizations should operate independently of external influences like governments, corporations, or interest groups.
“Should” is a rubberized department of rhetoric, conveniently softening any obligation.
“Write transparently!” Clearly disclosing conflicts of interest or bias is essential to earning the public’s trust.
Anyone who distrusts the media and its claims will find their morning coffee tasting rather bitter.
“Protect your sources!” Private individuals have a right to the protection of their privacy, unless there is an overriding public interest in the information. No one should (!) be put in the public pillory by the media simply for the sake of effect.
These are high yet minimal demands in matters of ethics – what any well-functioning press outlet should offer.
So far so good.
So far so legal.
So far so egal, the way parts of the media have changed in recent years?
Oh no.
The Égalité principle – with an eye to universal human rights – must not be sacrificed to the interests of the few.
Because the next victim of unethical reporting could be you.
Or me.
