Considering that the public communication space in Romanian sports is often turned into a battlefield of defamation, slander, and incitement, including by sports federations or individuals holding public positions, we believe the time has come for a clear delineation of responsibility in public expression.
In a rule-of-law state and a sports system that aspires to be transparent, meritocratic, and dignified, freedom of expression must not be confused with the freedom to humiliate, discriminate, or launch personal attacks, especially in official contexts.
ARADS-Eu proposes a concrete first step through the launch of a National Code of Ethics in Public Sports Communication, a reference document addressed to:
- institutions with responsibilities in the field of sports,
- sports federations and clubs,
- coaches, athletes, and all those who contribute to creating a healthy climate around performance.
The purpose of this code is not to sanction opinions, but to establish principles of respect, decency, and public responsibility.
We invite all organizations, public figures, parents, and professionals in sports, education, or communication who share the values of decency and responsibility to:
- publicly support this initiative;
- send us suggestions for improvement;
- contribute to promoting a healthy communication environment, in which differences of opinion do not justify public humiliation, hate, or contempt.
The full Code can be consulted below.
For a decent and hate-free sporting Romania – thank you for standing with us!
DOWNLOAD NATIONAL CODE OF ETHICS IN PUBLIC SPORTS COMMUNICATION
