Editors code of practice Flashcards
Clause 1 - Accuracy
the press must take care not to publish inaccurate, misleading or distorted information or images, including headlines not supported by the text.
A fair opportunity to reply to significant inaccuracies should be given, when reasonably called for.
The press, while free to editorialise and campaign, must distinguish clearly between comment, conjecture and fact
Clause 2 - Privacy
Everyone is entitled to respect for his or her private and family life, home, health and correspondence, including digital communications.
It is unacceptable to photograph individuals, without their consent, in public or private places where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy.
Clause 3 - Harassment
Journalists must not engage in intimidation, harassment or persistent pursuit.
Clause 4 - Intrusion (grief and shock)
In cases involving personal grief or shock, enquiries and approaches must be made with sympathy and discretion and publication handled sensitively. These provisions should not restrict the right to report legal proceedings.
Clause 5 - Reporting suicide
When reporting suicide, to prevent simulative acts care should be taken to avoid excessive detail of the method used, while taking into account the media’s right to report legal proceedings.
Clause 6 - Children
All pupils should be free to complete their time at school without unnecessary intrusion.
They must not be approached or photographed at school without permission of the school authorities.
Children under 16 must not be interviewed or photographed on issues involving their own or another child’s welfare unless a custodial parent or similarly responsible adult consents.
Clause 7 - Children in sex cases
The press must not, even if legally free to do so, identify children under 16 who are victims or witnesses in cases involving sex offences.
Clause 8 - Hospitals
Journalists must identify themselves and obtain permission from a responsible executive before entering non-public areas of hospitals or similar institutions to pursue enquiries.
Clause 10 - Clandestine devices
The press must not seek to obtain or publish material acquired by using hidden cameras or clandestine listening devices; or by intercepting private or mobile telephone calls, messages or emails; or by the unauthorised removal of documents or photographs; or by accessing digitally-held information without consent.
Clause 11 - Victims of sexual assault
The press must not identify or publish material likely to lead to the identification of a victim of sexual assault unless there is adequate justification and they are legally free to do so.
Clause 9 - Reporting of crime
Relatives or friends of persons convicted or accused of crime should not generally be identified without their consent, unless they are genuinely relevant to the story.
Clause 14 - Confidential sources
Journalists have a moral obligation to protect confidential sources of information.
Clause 15 - Witness payments
No payment or offer of payment to a witness – or any person who may reasonably be expected to be called as a witness – should be made in any case once proceedings are active as defined by the Contempt of Court Act 1981.
Where proceedings are not yet active but are likely and foreseeable, editors must not make or offer payment to any person who may reasonably be expected to be called as a witness
