Journalistic Codes Flashcards
Editors’ code clause 9
Editors should generally avoid naming children under the age of 18 after arrest for a criminal offence but before they appear in youth court unless they can shown the individual’s name is already in the public domain or that the individual (or parent or similarly responsible adult of the individual if under 16) has given their consent.”
“Relatives or friends of persons convicted or accused should not generally be identified without their consent unless they are genuinely relevant to the story e.g. mentioned in evidence”
“Particular regard should be paid to the potentially vulnerable position of children under the age of 18 who witness, or are victims of crime. This should not restrict the right to report legal proceedings.”
Editors’ code clause 6
- 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.
- Children under 16 must not be paid for material involving their welfare, nor parents or guardians for material about their children or wards, unless it is clearly in the child’s interest.
- Editors must not use the fame, notoriety or position of a parent or guardian as sole justification for publishing details of a child’s private life.
- subject to public interest justification
Editors’ code clause 7
Children in sex cases:
1) The Press must not even if legally free to do so, identify children under 16 who are victims/alleged victims or witnesses in cases involving sex offences.
2) In any press report of a case involving a sexual offence a against a child:
- the child must not be identified
- the adult may be identified (if this does not identify a child victim or witness)
- the word incest must not be used where a child victim might be identified
- care must be taken that report does not imply the relationship between the accused and the child
* subject to public interest
Editors’ Code clause 11
Victims of sexual assault:
- The Press must not identify victims of sexual assault or publish material likely to contribute to such identification unless there is adequate justification and they are legally free to do so
Public interest exceptions
- Detecting or exposing crime, the threat of crime or serious impropriety
- Protecting public health/safety
- Disclosing a miscarriage of justice
- Raising or contributing to a matter of public debate, including serious cases of impropriety, unethical conduct or incompetence concerning the public
- Disclosing concealment or likely concealment of any of the above
- There is public interest in freedom of expression itself
- The regulator considers the extent material is in the public domain or will become so
- Editors must demonstrate they reasonably believed publication would serve the public interest.
Editors’ Code clause 5
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.
Editors’ Code clause 14
Journalists have a moral obligation to protect confidential sources of information and there is no public interest exception
Editors’ Code clause 2
i) Everyone is entitled to respect for their private and family life, home, health and correspondence including digital communications
ii) Editors will be expected to justify intrusions into any individual’s private life without consent. In considering an individual’s reasonable expectation of privacy, account will be taken of the complainant’s own public disclosures of information and the extent to which the material complained about is already in the public domain or will become so
iii) It is unacceptable to photograph individuals without their consent in public or private places where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy
Editors’ Code clause 3
- Journalists must not engage in intimidation, harassment or persistent pursuit.
- They must not persist in questioning, telephoning, pursuing or photographing individuals once asked to desist; nor remain on property when asked to leave and must not follow them. If requested, they must identify themselves and whom they represent.
- Editors must ensure these principles are observed by those working for them and take care not to use non-compliant material from other sources.
- subject to public interest justification
Ofcom code section 8.11
Doorstepping for factual programmes should not take place unless a request for an interview has been refused or it has not been possible to request an interview, or there is good reason to believe that an investigation will be frustrated if the subject is approached openly, and it is warranted to doorstep.
Editors’ Code clause 10
- 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.
- Engaging in misrepresentation or subterfuge, including by agents or intermediaries, can generally be justified only in the public interest and then only when the material cannot be obtained by other means.
Ofcom code section 5
Due impartiality on matters of political or industrial controversy and matters relating to current public policy must be preserved on the part of any person providing a service (listed above). This may be achieved within a programme or over a series of programmes taken as a whole.
Editors’ Code clause 1
- The Press must take care not to publish inaccurate, misleading or distorted information or images, including headlines not supported by the text.
- A significant inaccuracy, misleading statement or distortion must be corrected, promptly and with due prominence, and — where appropriate — an apology published. In cases involving IPSO, due prominence should be as required by the regulator.
