The Codes of Conduct that journalists follow are very important because they provide moral guidelines for journalists and also regulations that aren't legal, however journalists can be punished by the NUJ or the PCC.
There are 4 codes that journalists follow: NUJ Code, PCC Editors' Code, BBC Guidelines and OFCOM's code.
The The NUJ Code has 12 points, a journalist
1: should oppose reporting restrictions and uphold freedom of the press.
2: must produce stories quickly, be fair and be accurate.
3: must do their best to correct inaccuracies.
4: must try and differentiate between fact and opinion.
5: must obtain information by honest and open means. Except for in certain circumstances of investigative journalism (in the public interest).
6: shouldn't interfere in people's private lives, unless in an overriding claim of public interest.
7: should protect the identity of sources in confidence.
8: should resist threats or inducements of influence, distort and suppress information and takes no personal advantage in their duties.
9: should produce no material that discriminates or will lead to hatred.
10: should not endorse any products that will promote his/her career.
11: should seek the consent of an appropriate adult when filming or interviewing a child.
12: should avoid plagiarism.
The PCC Code basically outlines the same regulations as the NUK Code and it deals with 16 categories:
1: Accuracy,
2: Opportunity to reply,
3: Privacy,
4: Harassment,
5: Intrusion into grief or shock,
6: Children,
7: Children in sex cases,
8: Hospitals,
9 Reporting of crime,
10: Clandestine devices and subterfuge,
11: Victims of sexual assault,
12: Discrimination,
13: Financial journalism,
14: Confidential sources,
15: Witness payments in criminal trials and
16: Payment to criminals.
The BBC Editorial Guidelines deal with standards and values that BBC journalists are expected to follow. It also covers TV and radio.
The OFCOM Broadcasting Code can be found here.
TB 2011
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