There are a number of Codes of Practice that journalists need to be mindful of. The BBC site has considerable information relating to these. The OFCOM and PCC Codes are of paramount importance.
BBC Editorial Guidance
www.bbc.co.uk/guidelines/editorialguidelines/edguide/
BBC Editorial Guidance Supplement
Links to BBC List of guidance in alphabetical order:
Access Agreements and Indemnity Forms
Audience Voting
BBC Awards
Competitions
Conflicts of Interest Guidelines
Crime
Events, Mounting and Coverage Of Non Sports
Financial Journalism
Hearing Loss
Informed Consent and Consent Forms
Internet Research
Live Output
Make-Over Programmes, Funding and Selection of Contributors
Medical Emergencies, Filming in
Missing People
National Lottery, Coverage of
News Bulletins, Fictitious
News Releases, Video and Audio
Off-air Activities for Presenters and Editorial Staff in BBC News, BBC Nations and Regions and BBC Global News
Offensive Language
Opinion Polls, Surveys, Questionnaires, Votes and Straw Polls
Parliamentary Broadcasting: Rules of Coverage
Partnerships
Reporting the United Kingdom
Reporting Risk
Secret Recording
Social Networking and other third party websites, BBC use of
Social Networking and other third party websites (including blogging and personal web-space), Personal use of
Stills Photographs and Images, the use of
Terrorism, Use of Language When Reporting
User Generated Content (Video, Audio and Stills Contributions From Members Of The Public in BBC News Output)
Visually Impaired Television Viewers, Guidance on
LINKS TO BBC Services:
The BBC's Editorial Values
Editorial Responsibility
Accuracy
Impartiality
Fairness, Contributors & Consent
Privacy
Crime & Anti-Social Behaviour
Harm & Offence
Children
Politics & Public Policy
War, Terror & Emergencies
Religion
Editorial Integrity & Independence
External Relationships
Interacting with our Audiences
The Law
Accountability
Editors Code of Practice http://www.pcc.org.uk/assets/111/Code_Aug_2007.pdf
Journalism Codes from round the World (Magic)http://www.unicef.org/magic/users/media_guide4.html
Ofcom Broadcasting Code http://www.ofcom.org.uk/tv/ifi/codes/bcode/
This Code came into force and applies to programmes broadcast on or after 25 July 2005, including a repeat of a programme first broadcast before that date. (Rule 10.17 comes into force on 1 July 2005). A programme transmitted before 25 July 2005 will be regulated under the relevant legacy code available under the Legacy Codes section of the website. Links to Ofcom:
Foreword
Legislative Background to the Code
How to Use the Code
Section 1 - Protecting the Under-Eighteens
Protecting the under eighteens
Section 2 - Harm and Offence
Harm and offence
Section 3 - Crime
Crime
Section 4 - Religion
Religion
Section 5 - Due Impartiality and Due Accuracy and Undue Prominence of Views and Opinions
Due Impartiality and Due Accuracy and Undue Prominence of Views and Opinions
Section 6 - Elections and Referendums
Elections and Referendums
Section 7 - Fairness
Fairness
Section 8 - Privacy
Privacy
Section 9 - Sponsorship
Sponsorship
Section 10 - Commercial References and Other Matters
Commercial References and other matters
Appendix 1- Extracts from the Communications Act 2003
Relevant legislation from the Communications Act 2003 and the Broadcasting Act 1990
Appendix 2 - Extracts from the Television Without Frontiers Directive (89/552/EEC), as amended by (97/36/EC)
Extracts from TWF
Appendix 3 - European Convention on Human Rights
European Convention on Human Rights
Appendix 4 - Financial Promotions and Investment Recommendations
Financial Promotions and Investment Recommendations
Ofcom Broadcasting Code Guidance
Broadcasting Code Guidance Notes: Section One - Protecting the under 18s [pdf]
Broadcasting Code Guidance Notes: Section Two - Harm and Offence [pdf]
Broadcasting Code Guidance Notes: Section Three - Crime [pdf]
Broadcasting Code Guidance Notes: Section Four - Religion [pdf]
Broadcasting Code Guidance Notes: Section Five - Due Impartiality and Due Accuracy and Undue Prominence of Views and Opinions [pdf]
Broadcasting Code Guidance Notes: Section Six - Elections and Referendums [pdf]
Broadcasting Code Guidance Notes: Section Seven - Fairness [pdf]
Broadcasting Code Guidance Notes: Section Eight - Privacy [pdf]
Broadcasting Code Guidance Notes: Section Nine - Sponsorship [pdf]
Broadcasting Code Guidance Notes: Section Ten - Commercial References and Other Matters [pdf]
Ofcom Cross Promotion Code http://www.ofcom.org.uk/tv/ifi/codes/crosspromotioncode/
PCC Code
PCC Complaints (article on court reporting)
http://www.pcc.org.uk/news/index.html?article=OTg=
Reporting Restrictions in the Crown Court
http://www.societyofeditors.co.uk/userfiles/file/Reporting%20Restrictions%20Crown%20Court.pdf
Reporting Restrictions in the Magistrates Court
http://www.societyofeditors.co.uk/userfiles/file/Reporting%20Restrictions%20Magistrates%20Court(2).pdf
Copyright Friends In Law 2008
Accurate as at 16.9.08
