Code of Ethics

Posted on November 19, 2022, 3:37 pm
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EDITOR’S CODE OF ETHICS

All employees at The Sunday Review are committed to adhering to this Code of Practice as introduced by the PRESS COMPLAINTS COMISSION UK. The Code is below, and to file a claim you can contact us.

The members of the press are required to fulfill an obligation to adhere to the highest standards for professionalism. The Code in this preamble as well as the public interest exceptions listed below defines the standards for these ethical standards. They protect the rights of the individual as well as the rights of the public to be informed. It is the basis of the self-regulation system that the industry has made a legally binding commitment.

It is vital that a code agreed upon be respected not only to the letter , but also in full-spirit. It should not be interpreted in such a way that it compromises its obligation to protect the rights of individuals and also not so far that it is an ineffective interference in freedom of speech or blocks publishing in public interest.

This is the obligation of editors and publishers in implementing the Code for editorial content both in printed and online versions of their publications. They should be careful to ensure that they adhere to the Code with rigor and by the entire editorial team members and other contributors, not just journalists both in print as well as online versions of the publications.

  1. Accuracy
    • The Press must be cautious not to release false or misleading information including images.
    • An error of a significant magnitude, false statement or distortion after being acknowledged must be rectified promptly and with sufficient importance, and if it is appropriate – an apology made.
    • The Press, whilst allowed to be partisan, must differentiate between opinion conjecture, fact and speculation.
    • A publication is required to publish truthfully and accurately the results of a defamation lawsuit to which it was involved, unless an agreement stipulates the opposite, or an agreed statement is made public.
  2. Chance to respond Opportunity to respondA fair opportunity to responding to errors must be granted when it is reasonably called for.
  3. * Privacy
    • Every person is entitled to be treated with respect for their private and family health, home, life and correspondence, as well as electronic communications.
    • Editors are required to justify intrusion into person’s private life, without the consent of that individual. Account will be taken of the complainant’s public disclosures of personal information.
    • It is not acceptable to take photos of people in private areas without their permission.

Note: Private spaces are private or public property in which there is an belief that privacy is expected.

  1. *Harassment
    • Journalists should not be involved in harassment, intimidation or relentless pursuit.
    • They should not continue in calling, questioning people, or pursuing them after being asked to stop or leave their property when they are asked to leave, and should not be able to follow their property. If requested they must provide their identity and who they’re representing.
    • Editors should ensure that they adhere to these rules by all those who work for them , and ensure not to utilize non-compliant content that comes from different sources.
  2. Intrusion into shock or sorrow
    • In situations which involve personal loss or shock, inquiries and requests must be handled with compassion and discretion, and the publication must be handled with care. This should not limit the ability to publish legal proceedings, like inquiries.
    • When making suicide announcements, care must be taken to not provide excessive details about the method employed.
  3. * Children
    • The young are entitled to spend their time in school without any interruptions.
    • A child younger than 16 years old is not allowed to be interviewed or photographed about concerns involving their own welfare or the wellbeing of another child, unless the custodial parent or an adult who is similarly responsible is in agreement.
    • Students are not to be photographed or approached in school without permission from the school’s authorities.
    • Minors should not be paid for any material that concerns children’s welfare. Neither should parents or guardians are allowed to purchase material regarding their children or their children, unless it’s clear that the child’s interests are being served.
    • Editors should not rely on the popularity, notoriety, or the position of a guardian or parent as the sole basis for publishing information regarding children’s private lives.
  4. * Children in sex cases
    1. The press is not allowed to even if they are legally able to use it provide information about minors under the age of 16 who are witnesses or victims in any case that involve sexual offences.
    2. In any news report about an incident involving sexual crime against a child
      • The child should not identify itself.
      • The adult could be recognized.
      • The term “incest” must not be employed where a child victim is identified.
      • Be aware that nothing in the report suggests that there is a relationship between child and the suspect.
  5. * Hospitals
    • Journalists need to identify themselves and have permission from an executive responsible prior to entering public areas in hospitals or similar establishments to investigate inquiries.
    • The limits on intruding into privacy are particularly pertinent to inquiries about people in hospitals and similar institutions.
  6. * Reporting of Crime
    • Family members or friends of those who have been who are convicted or accused of committing a criminal activity should not normally be named without their consent or unless they are relevant to the particular story.
    • Particular attention must be given to the vulnerable situation of children who witness or suffer the consequences of crimes. This should not affect the right to file a complaint about legal instances.
  7. * Devices that are clandestine, as well as subterfuge
    • The media should not try to get or publish information obtained using hidden cameras or secret listening devices, or by intercepting mobile or private phone calls, messages or emails, or through the unauthorised deletion of photographs or documents; or accessing digitally-stored private data without consent.
    • Making false representations or deceit, even by intermediaries or agents, is generally justified within the context of public safety, and only if the information isn’t available through other methods.
  8. The victims of assault sexually

The media must not be able to identify sexually assault victims and publish any material that might assist in identifying victims of sexual assault in the absence of a sufficient reason as well as they’re legally permitted to do this.

  1. Discrimination
    • The media should avoid negative or discriminatory references to the race or colour or gender, religion sexual orientation, gender identity or any mental or physical impairment.
    • Specifics of an individual’s race, color and religion, sexual preference or physical or mental impairment or illness should be kept out of the story unless they are relevant to the subject.
  2. Financial journalism
    • Even if the law does not ban it, journalists are not allowed to make use of financial information to earn their own gain, which they get prior to the general release or divulge the information on to anyone else.
    • They are not allowed to write about securities or shares in the performance of which they are aware the owners or immediate family members have a substantial financial interest , without disclosing the interests to the editor, or the financial editor.
    • It is not permitted to buy or sell, directly or through agents or nominees shares or securities which they’ve written recently or plan to write in the near future.
  3. Confidential sources

Journalists are bound by the moral responsibility to safeguard private sources of information.

  1. Witness payments during criminal trial
    • A payment or offer of the payment of a witness or to any other person who could reasonably be likely to be called witness should take place in any circumstance when proceedings are in progress.This restriction is in effect until the suspect is completely released by the police with no charge, or bail, or the proceeding is otherwise ended or the suspect has made a guilty plea before the court as well, in case of a plea of not guilty or a not guilty plea, the court has declared its decision.
    • *Where proceedings aren’t yet in full swing, but they are likely and likely to be foreseeable editors are not permitted to make or offer to pay anyone who could reasonably be be called to testify in the event that the information must be proven to be to the general public, and there is a compelling requirement to offer or make the payment to enable this to happen and that all reasonable steps are taken to ensure that no financial transactions influence the evidence that witnesses present. In no instances should the payment be contingent upon the conclusion of the trial.
    • Any offer or payment of payment to someone later to be a witness during the proceedings must be made known to the defense and prosecution. The witness must be informed of the obligation.
  2. * Payments to criminals
    • Payments or offers of payment in exchange for images, stories or other information that seek to profit from an individual crime or glorify or praise crimes in general, should not be offered either directly or through agents to any confessed or convicted criminals or their associates which could include relatives, friends and coworkers.
    • Editors who invoke the public interest in order to justify offers or payments would have to prove that there is a good reason to believe that the public interest will be served. If, regardless of payment, there was there was no public interest to be seen it is recommended that the information not be published.

THE PUBLIC INTEREST

There could be some exceptions to clauses marked * when they are shown to be in the public interest.

  1. The public interest encompasses but is not limited to:
    • Indicating or exposing criminality or serious infractions.
    • Protection of public health and security.
    • Protecting the public from being deceived by a statement or action by an individual a company.
  2. It is in the broad public concern about the freedom of expression in by itself.
  3. If it is mentioned by the press, it will be required for editors to show that they had a reasonable belief the publication or the journalistic work that is geared to publication, was of public interest, and who, and how the public interest was decided during time time.
  4. The Sunday Review will examine what extent content is in the public domain or soon will be.
  5. In instances involving children younger than 16, editors must prove an extraordinary public interest in order to prevail over the usual paramount concern that the kid has.