Editor's Code of Practice

Question 1

Clause 1 Accuracy

Answer 1

The press must take care not to publish inaccurate/misleading or distorted information or images.

Question 2

Clause 2 Privacy

Answer 2

Everyone is entitled to respect for their home and family life, physical and mental health and correspondence including digital communications.

Question 3

Clause 3 Harassment

Answer 3

Journalists must not engage in intimidation, harassment or persistent pursuit.

Question 4

Clause 4 Intrusion into grief or shock

Answer 4

Enquires & approaches must be made with sympathy, discretion and publication must be handled sensitively

Question 5

Clause 5 Reporting Suicide

Answer 5

To prevent simulative acts care should be taken to avoid excessive detail of the method used.

Question 6

Clause 6 Children

Answer 6

Should be able to complete their school time without interference. Cannot be approached/photographed without the school’s permission. Under 16 needs a parent’s permission and cannot be paid.

Question 7

Clause 7 Children in Sex Cases

Answer 7

Cannot identify any child under 16. Care must be taken that nothing implies the relationship between the accused and the child.

Question 8

Clause 8 Hospitals

Answer 8

Journalist must identify themselves and obtain permission from the hospital before entering non-public areas of the hospitals.

Question 9

Clause 9 Reporting of Crime

Answer 9

Relatives/friends of persons convicted or accused should not generally be identified without their consent unless they are genuinely relevant to the story.

Question 10

Clause 10 Clandestine devices and subterfuge

Answer 10

Press must not seek to obtain/publish material acquired by using hidden cameras/listening devices/intercepting private calls/emails/unauthorized removal of documents or photographs

Question 11

Clause 11 Victims of sexual assualt

Answer 11

Must not identify/publish material likely to lead to the identity of a victim of sexual assault unless there is adequate justification.

Question 12

Clause 12 Discrimination

Answer 12

Avoid prejudicial/prejorative reference to an individual’s race, color religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical or mental illness or disability.

Question 13

Clause 13 Financial Journalism

Answer 13

Even when the law does not prohibit it, journalists must not use financial information they receive in advance of its general publication

Question 14

Clause 14 Confidential sources

Answer 14

Journalists have a moral obligation to protect confidential sources of information

Question 15

Clause 15 Witness payments in criminal trials

Answer 15

No payment or offers of payment to a witness or any person who may be expected to be called as a witness.