The IFJ Declaration of Principles (adopted 1954, amended 1986 in Helsingör) specifically defines the following as grave professional offences for journalists:

• Plagiarism
• Malicious misrepresentation
• Calumny, slander, libel, and unfounded accusations
• Acceptance of a bribe in any form in consideration of either publication or suppression of information

Expressing personal political opinions in editorial content is not listed as a grave professional offence in this declaration. The declaration also requires journalists to: respect truth, defend freedom of information, report only facts of known origin, use only fair methods to obtain news, rectify inaccurate information, observe professional secrecy regarding sources, and be aware of discrimination. The code emphasises that journalists should recognise “in professional matters the jurisdiction of colleagues only, to the exclusion of every kind of interference by governments or others.”