PCC Code of Practice

Here are the 16 clauses:

Accuracy
Opportunity to reply
*Privacy
*Harassment
Intrusion into grief or shock
*Children
*Children in sex cases
*Hospitals
*Reporting of Crime
*Clandestine devices and subterfuge
Victims of sexual assault
Discrimination
Financial journalism
Confidential sources
Witness payments in criminal trials
*Payment to criminals

The Public Interest

Clauses marked by an asterix may have exceptions where it can be demonstrated that there is strong overriding evidence for public interest in the story.

What does the code cover?

The 16 sections cover 4 main areas:

• Accuracy
• Privacy
• News gathering
• Protecting the vulnerable

It is the editors responsibility to make sure that the newspaper complies with the code. However, sometimes the editor may defend an article or journalist, arguing that it was in the 'public interest'. The code defines when this may be acceptable.

The code doe snot cover issues of taste and decency. This is because the PCC recognises the importance of a free and fair media who may publish what they like in a democratic society, and that people choose to look at a newspaper based on their own tastes.