Gathering and reporting of news

1.1. The media shall take care to report news truthfully, accurately and fairly.

1.2. News shall be presented in context and in a balanced manner, without any intentional or negligent departure from the facts whether by distortion, exaggeration or misrepresentation, material omissions, or summarisation.

1.3. Only what may reasonably be true, having regard to the sources of the news, may be presented as fact, and such facts shall be published fairly with reasonable regard to context and importance. Where a report is not based on facts or is founded on opinion, allegation, rumour or supposition, it shall be presented in such manner as to indicate this clearly.

1.4. News should be obtained legally, honestly and fairly, unless public interest dictates otherwise.

1.5. The gathering of personal information for the purpose of journalistic expression must only be used for this purpose.

1.6. Media representatives shall identify themselves as such, unless public interest or their safety dictates otherwise.

1.7. Where there is reason to doubt the accuracy of a report or a source, and it is practicable to verify the accuracy thereof, it shall be verified. Where it has not been practicable to verify the accuracy of a report, this shall be stated in such report.

1.8. The media shall seek the views of the subject of critical reportage in advance of publication; provided that this need not be done where the institution has reasonable grounds for believing that by doing so it would be prevented from reporting; where evidence might be destroyed or sources intimidated; or because it would be impracticable to do so in the circumstances of the publication. Reasonable time should be afforded the subject for a response. If the media are unable to obtain such comment, this shall be reported.

1.9. Where a news item is published on the basis of limited information, this shall be stated as such, and the reports should be supplemented once new information becomes available.

1.10. The media shall make amends for presenting information or comment that is found to be inaccurate by communicating, promptly and with appropriate prominence so as to readily attract attention, a retraction, correction or explanation.