MEDIA-SOCIETY.COM INTERNATIONAL PRESS & CREATORS NETWORK

CHAPTER I

NAME, NATURE, AND SCOPE

Article 1. Name and Nature

1. Under the name MEDIA-SOCIETY.COM PRESS & CREATORS NETWORK INTERNATIONAL, a nonprofit association is hereby established, pursuant to Article 22 of the Spanish Constitution, Organic Law 1/2002 of March 22, regulating the Right of Association, and other applicable provisions.
2. The Association has its own legal personality as of the execution of its Founding Charter and full legal capacity to act in pursuit of its purposes.
3. The Association may publicly use the abbreviated names: Media-Society.com Press & Creators Network // Media-Society.com, or Media-Society.
4. The Association is independent and pluralistic and shall not be subordinate to any political party, religious denomination, public administration, company, labor union, or other external organization.
5. This independence shall not preclude the establishment of agreements, collaborations, projects, or professional relationships with public or private entities that are compatible with its purposes.

Article 2. Duration

The Association is established for an indefinite period.

Article 3. Registered Office

The registered office is established at Paseo de Extremadura 324, 1° Izquierda, 28024 Madrid, Spain

The Board of Directors may establish offices, branches, correspondent offices, contact points, and representative offices in Spain or in other countries.

Article 4. Scope

1. The Association shall have an international scope.
2. It may carry out activities in Spain and in any other country in accordance with applicable regulations.
3. The Association shall particularly promote cooperation among journalists, media outlets, correspondents, and creators from different countries.

CHAPTER II

PURPOSES AND PRINCIPLES

Article 5. Purposes

The purposes of the Association are:

a) To defend and promote freedom of expression, freedom of the press, and the right to communicate and receive information.

b) To promote journalism that is free, pluralistic, responsible, independent, and respectful of human rights.

c) To create an international network of journalists, correspondents, photographers, video journalists, editors, writers, researchers, illustrators, creators, and other professionals involved in information and the media.

d) To facilitate cooperation between media outlets and independent professionals.

e) To create, support, publish, or manage publications, agencies, newspapers, magazines, digital portals, audiovisual channels, podcasts, and other informational initiatives.

f) Facilitate editorial commissions and assignments.

g) Create private systems for identifying and verifying journalists, contributors, and creators affiliated with the network.

h) Issue private press and media credentials in accordance with transparent criteria.

i) Enable institutions and third parties to verify the authenticity and validity of credentials and assignments.

j) Promote journalistic ethics, fact-checking, and editorial transparency.

k) Promote respect for human dignity and prevent journalistic activity from contributing to discrimination, hostility, or stigmatization of individuals based on their religion, beliefs, lack of beliefs, political opinions, race, origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, or other personal circumstances.

l) Promote respect for freedom of religion, conscience, thought, and opinion.

m) Promote respect for the diversity of political, philosophical, religious, and cultural opinions.

n) Protect the freedom of investigation, criticism, analysis, commentary, and opinion of journalists and creators.

o) Promote copyright, attribution, provenance, and the proper use of the works of journalists and creators.

p) To facilitate mechanisms for documenting the authorship and provenance of works.

q) To promote education and training in journalism, human rights, communication, ethics, new technologies, and artificial intelligence.

r) To defend the legitimate interests of members and professionals associated with the network.

s) To promote international cooperation in the areas of the press, media, culture, creativity, and human rights.

Article 6. Fundamental Principles

The Association’s activities shall be guided by:

a) freedom of expression and information;

b) editorial independence;

c) pluralism;

d) human dignity;

e) equality and non-discrimination;

f) freedom of thought, conscience, religion, and belief;

g) freedom of political opinion;

h) truthfulness and professional diligence;

i) the right to criticism and commentary;

j) the distinction between information, opinion, advertising, and propaganda;

k) the protection of sources;

l) respect for privacy, honor, and one’s own image;

m) the right to rectification and correction of errors;

n) transparency regarding conflicts of interest;

o) the protection of intellectual property;

p) independence from political, economic, religious, or any other form of pressure.

Article 7. Legitimate Criticism and Respect for Individuals

1. Respect for individuals on the basis of their religion, beliefs, ideology, or opinions shall not be interpreted as a prohibition on investigating or criticizing ideas, doctrines, institutions, organizations, movements, governments, political parties, leaders, religious authorities, or social practices.
2. Research, criticism, commentary, opinion, satire, or questioning of a religion, ideology, organization, or institution shall not in and of itself constitute a violation of these Bylaws.
3. It shall be incompatible with the Association’s principles to use journalism to deliberately promote dehumanization, harassment, discrimination, or violence against individuals or groups based on their identity, religion, belief, lack of belief, or political opinion.
4. Every effort shall be made to distinguish between:

• criticism of ideas or behavior; and
• attacks directed against individuals because of who they are, what they believe, or what they think.

Article 8. Activities

The Association may:

a) publish media and publications;

b) organize news coverage;

c) issue editorial assignments;

d) manage press credentials;

e) establish verifiable records;

f) organize training, conferences, and events;

g) create archives of works;

h) manage digital platforms;

i) enter into agreements;

j) hire staff and professionals;

k) receive donations, dues, sponsorships, and grants;

l) provide services related to its purposes;

m) engage in economic activities consistent with its nonprofit status.

Article 9. Nonprofit Status

1. Any profits that may be obtained shall be allocated in full to the fulfillment of the Association’s purposes.
2. Profits may not be distributed among members.
3. The Association may compensate members or third parties for work, professional services, or actual contributions rendered.

CHAPTER III

MEMBERS

Article 10. Categories

There shall be:

a) founding members;

b) regular members;

c) honorary members.

Founding members and regular members shall have the same voting rights.

Article 11. Admission

1. Individuals or legal entities who share the Association’s purposes may join.
2. The Board of Directors shall decide on applications.
3. Admission may not be denied on the basis of race, nationality, religion, beliefs, lack of beliefs, political opinions, sex, sexual orientation, disability, or other personal circumstances unrelated to the candidate’s suitability.
4. However, professional conduct, integrity, respect for the Association’s principles, and responsible use of the media may be taken into consideration.

Article 12. Rights

Members shall have the right to:

a) participate in activities;

b) participate with voice and vote in the General Assembly when applicable;

c) elect and be elected;

d) receive information about the Association;

e) submit proposals;

f) consult the Association’s records in accordance with the law;

g) be treated without discrimination;

h) freely hold their own political, religious, philosophical, or other opinions;

i) not be compelled to disclose their beliefs or opinions except when there is a legal obligation to do so;

j) be heard before any disciplinary action is taken;

k) appeal the prescribed disciplinary actions.

Article 13. Obligations

Members shall:

a) comply with the Bylaws;

b) comply with the Regulations for Members and Accredited Individuals;

c) act in good faith;

d) respect the fundamental rights of third parties;

e) not use the Association’s name or credentials fraudulently;

f) refrain from attributing to the Association positions that have not been officially adopted;

g) respect the editorial independence of other members and publications.

Article 14. Loss of Membership Status

Membership status shall be lost due to:

a) resignation;

b) death or dissolution;

c) failure to pay dues, if any, after receiving a demand;

d) expulsion through disciplinary proceedings;

e) other causes provided for by law.

CHAPTER IV

NETWORK MEMBERS AND ACCREDITED INDIVIDUALS

Article 15. Professional Network Members

1. The Association may admit journalists, photographers, creators, correspondents, media outlets, contributors, and other professionals as professional network members without them necessarily acquiring the legal status of associates.
2. Their relationship shall be governed by these Bylaws and by the Regulations for Members and Accredited Individuals.

Article 16. Credentials

1. The Association may issue private press, media, or creative credentials.
2. Credentials shall identify a verified professional or collaborative relationship with Media-Society.com or with a publication belonging to its network.
3. They are not official documents or professional licenses.
4. They do not guarantee access to events, institutions, facilities, or restricted areas.
5. Associate status does not automatically entitle the holder to a credential.
6. Nor does possession of a credential automatically confer associate status.

Article 17. Accreditation Criteria

Accreditation may be based, among other factors, on:

a) published works;

b) documented collaborations;

c) journalistic or creative activity;

d) editorial assignments;

e) professional portfolio;

f) track record;

g) verified identity;

h) compliance with the Code of Ethics.

Possession of a specific academic degree in journalism shall not be a mandatory requirement.

CHAPTER V

GOVERNANCE

Article 18. Governing Bodies

The governing bodies of the Association are:

a) the General Assembly;

b) the Board of Directors.

Article 19. General Assembly

The General Assembly is the supreme governing body and shall be composed of members with voting rights.

At least one ordinary annual meeting shall be held.

Article 20. Notice of Meetings

Meetings may be convened via email or other verifiable electronic means with at least fifteen days’ notice.

They may be held in person, online, or in a hybrid format.

Article 21. Resolutions

Each member shall have one vote.

Ordinary resolutions shall be adopted by a simple majority.

A two-thirds majority shall be required for:

a) amending the Bylaws;

b) dissolving the Association;

c) disposing of real property;

d) approving compensation for Board members based on their positions.

Article 22. Board of Directors

The Board shall consist of at least the following: There may also be a Vice President and other Board Members.

• President;
• Secretary;
• Treasurer.

Article 23. Functions

The Board of Directors shall:

a) oversee day-to-day operations;

b) implement the resolutions of the General Assembly;

c) to represent the Association;

d) to administer resources;

e) to admit associate and professional members;

f) to manage credentials;

g) to approve editorial assignments;

h) to enter into contracts and agreements;

i) to approve technical regulations;

j) to create committees;

k) to adopt the necessary measures to fulfill the Association’s purposes.

Article 24. Term of Office

The term of office shall be four years, and members may be reelected.

Article 25. Compensation

Positions may be held without compensation.

The General Assembly may approve compensation based on the position held.

Duly justified expenses may be reimbursed.

Members of the Board may provide professional services other than those inherent to their position through a separate and transparent contractual arrangement.

CHAPTER VI

ETHICS, DISCIPLINE, AND SELF-REGULATION

Article 26. Professional Regulations

The Association shall have Regulations for Members, Professionals, and Accredited Individuals, which shall contain its code of conduct and rules for the use of credentials.

Acceptance of these regulations may be required as a condition for obtaining or maintaining a credential.

Article 27. Personal Freedom

1. The Association shall not require its members to adhere to any particular political ideology, religion, philosophy, or worldview.
2. No person shall be sanctioned for lawfully holding or expressing their own opinions.
3. Ethical standards shall apply primarily to:

a) activities carried out on behalf of the Association;

b) the use of its credentials;

c) work performed as part of an assignment;

d) conduct that directly affects the integrity or authenticity of the accredited professional relationship.

1. The Association shall not use its disciplinary bodies to resolve mere ideological, political, religious, or editorial disagreements.

Article 28. Disciplinary Provisions

The following may constitute violations:

a) fraud;

b) forgery of credentials;

c) impersonation;

d) deliberate plagiarism;

e) willful misrepresentation of facts;

f) misleading use of one’s status as a journalist;

g) use of credentials for purposes other than those authorized through deception;

h) harassment or serious discrimination;

i) deliberate incitement to violence against individuals on protected grounds;

j) serious or repeated violations of the Professional Regulations.

Article 29. Disciplinary Safeguards

No sanction shall be imposed without:

a) notification of the facts;

b) an opportunity to present a defense;

c) an assessment of the evidence;

d) a reasoned decision;

e) the possibility of appeal.

The mere filing of a complaint against a news article shall not presume the existence of a violation.

CHAPTER VII

FINANCIAL AND DOCUMENTATION PROVISIONS

Article 30. Initial Net Worth

The initial net worth is:

ZERO EUROS (0 €).

Article 31. Resources

Resources may come from:

a) dues;

b) donations;

c) grants;

d) sponsorships;

e) services;

f) publishing activities;

g) training;

h) events;

i) issuance or renewal of credentials;

j) licenses and rights;

k) other lawful activities.

Article 32. Fiscal Year

The fiscal year shall end on December 31.

Article 33. Accounting

Proper accounting records, a membership roster, an inventory, and minutes shall be maintained.

The financial statements shall be approved annually by the Assembly.

CHAPTER VIII

WORKS, DATA, AND VERIFICATION SYSTEMS

Article 34. Intellectual Property

The inclusion of a work on Media-Society.com does not in and of itself imply a transfer of rights.

Each creator shall retain the rights to which they are entitled unless expressly agreed otherwise.

Article 35. Provenance Systems

The Association may document:

a) declared authorship;

b) date of submission;

c) technical data;

d) publication;

e) license;

f) use of artificial intelligence;

g) other data relevant to establishing provenance.

These records shall be private and documentary in nature.

Article 36. Data Protection

The systems for members, accredited individuals, and verification shall comply with applicable data protection regulations.

Publicly verifiable information shall be limited to that necessary to verify professional identity and the validity of a credential.

CHAPTER IX

AMENDMENT AND DISSOLUTION

Article 37. Amendment

The Bylaws may be amended by a resolution of the Assembly with the required majority.

Article 38. Dissolution

The Association shall be dissolved:

a) by resolution of the Assembly;

b) due to permanent inability to achieve its purposes;

c) for legal cause;

d) by a final court order.

Article 39. Liquidation

The members of the Board shall act as liquidators unless the Assembly decides otherwise.

Article 40. Allocation of Assets

Any remaining assets shall be allocated to a nonprofit organization whose purposes are related to journalism, culture, freedom of expression, human rights, education, or the arts.

Under no circumstances may these assets be distributed among the members.

FINAL PROVISION

In matters not provided for in these Bylaws, the Spanish Constitution, Organic Law 1/2002, and other applicable regulations shall apply.

Approved in Madrid, on June 6, 2020.