Editor's code Flashcards
Clause 1: Accuracy
Don’t publish inaccurate information or images, with inaccuracies promptly corrected, apologised where appropriate, and a fair opportunity for reply given when reasonably called for. The press is free to campaign and editorialise but must clearly distinguish between comment, conjecture, and fact.
Clause 2: Privacy
Everyone is entitled to respect for their private and family life, home, health and correspondence, including digital communications. Unacceptable to photograph individuals without consent in private/public places where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy. Editors will be expected to justify intrusions into individuals private life without consent.
Clause 3: Harassment
Journalist must not intimidate, harass, or persistently pursue. Must not persist in questioning, phoning, pursuing, or photographing individuals once asked to desist, nor remain on property when asked to leave.
Clause 4: Intrusion into grief or shock
enquiries must be made with sympathy and discretion, and publication handled sensitively, except when they restrict reporting on legal proceedings.
Clause 5: Reporting suicide
Care should be taken to avoid excessive detail of the method used to avoid simulative acts, whilst taking into account the media’s right to report legal proceedings.
Clause 6: Children
Need school authorities permission to approach/photograph at school. Under 16’s need parent’s consent to be interviewed/photographed. Must not pay children unless in child’s interest.
Clause 7: Children in sex cases
Must not identify under 16’s who are victims or witnesses. Avoid the word incest. Avoid implying relationship between accused and child.
Clause 8: Hospitals
Journalists must identify themselves and obtain permission from a responsible executive before entering non-public areas.
Clause 9: Reporting on crime
Relatives or friends of accused/convicted should generally not be identified without consent unless relevant to the story. Regard should be paid to children who are witness or victims of crime. Avoid naming children after arrest but before appearing in youth court unless the name is in public domain or child (or parent if under 16) has given consent.
Clause 10: Clandestine devices and subterfuge
Press must not seek to obtain or publish material acquired by use of hidden cameras, audio devices, intercepting correspondence, or unauthorised removal of documents/photographs. This can be justified only in the public interest and if there are no other means of gaining the material.
Clause 11: Victims of sexaul assault
The press must not identify or publish material likely to lead to the identification of a victim of sexual assault unless there is an adequate justification.
Clause 12: Discrimination
Must avoid prejudicial or pejorative reference to an individual’s race, colour, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any physical or mental illness or disability.
Clause 13: Financial Journalism
Even where not prohibited, journalists should not use information gained for personal benefit ahead of publication, or pass the information on to others. Must not buy or sell shares or securities about which they have written recently or plan to write about in the future.
Clause 14: Confidential sources
Journalists have a moral obligation to protect confidential sources of information.
Clause 15: Witness payments in criminal trials
No payment or offer of payment to a witness or anyone who may reasonably be called as a witness when proceedings are active. In not yet active cases no payments should be made to witnesses or likely witnesses unless the information ought to be published in the public’s interest and there is an over-riding need for payment, and that dealings won’t prejudice the information the witness gives. Any payment or offer must be disclosed to the prosecution and defence.
