The 76-page document covers our work with complainants over nearly 20 years, press misbehaviour, self-regulation, the PCC, cheque-book journalism, a conscience clause and recommendations for regulating for the future.

The submission – Pity the poor citizen complainant – can be downloaded in PDF format here.

‘Hacked to Bits’ was organised by the Bristol branch of the NUJ and Bristol Festival of Ideas, in association with MediaWise and MediaAcT.

The panel included:

• Donnacha DeLong, NUJ President.
• Lord Hunt, Chair of the Press Complaints Commission.
• Thais Porthilo-Shrimpton, journalist and co-ordinator of the Hacked-Off campaign.
• Christopher Jefferies, libelled by several newspapers in the Jo Yeates murder case.
• Steve Brodie, BBC Points West.
• Mike Norton, editor of the Bristol Evening Post.
• Rich Peppiatt, former Daily Star reporter.

The event, held at the Arnolfini in Bristol on 16 March, was filmed and is available to watch on YouTube.

An abridged version of this chapter – ‘Blame not the mobile, ’twas ever thus’ – follows:

Revelations to the Leveson Inquiry into press culture, practice and ethics will have come as no surprise to anyone who has taken an interest in press standards since World War Two. There have been periodic outbreaks of concern about press intrusion and sensationalism and demands for statutory controls, none of which have had much impact in terms of curtailing press excesses. Public revulsion over the hacking of a murder victim’s phone may have brought things to a head, and while there remain many untold stories about the harm done by intrusive, inaccurate or sensational press coverage, much of what is being said to the inquiry has been said before, and to little avail.

In his memoirs, Fleet Street investigative reporter Gerry Brown (1995), who worked for News International and Mirror Group titles, claimed to have invented what he called ‘tabloid-techno’ using the latest technology to obtain sound and images. He explained that a scanner costing a few hundred pounds could home in on selected mobile phones, and with a ‘Celltracker’ – a mobile phone linked to a laptop – it was possible to lock on to signals and even make calls from the numbers under surveillance.

He cited the audio tapes of Princess Diana complaining to her lover James Gilbert about a previous lover James Hewitt, allegedly scanned by a retired bank manager, and by another Oxfordshire resident, and supplied to the Sun in 1990. At the time, David Calcutt QC was conducting an investigation into press invasions of privacy (Calcutt 1990), and the ‘Squidgygate’ tapes were not published for another two years (Sun, 23 August 1992). Shortly afterwards, an erotic conversation between Prince Charles and his then-lover, Camilla Parker-Bowles, was similarly intercepted. First published by New Idea, one of Rupert Murdoch’s Australian magazines, his UK titles quickly followed suit, days after the now Sir David Calcutt had proposed statutory controls in a government sponsored review (Calcutt 1993) of the effectiveness of the Press Complaints Commission (PCC).

Although some doubts arose about whether the tapes were direct recordings or if the scanners had picked up deliberately rebroadcast recordings, the Press Complaints Commission (PCC 27 January 1993) was adamant: ‘Bugging of private telephone calls is manifestly an invasion of privacy, no matter who does it. As such, it is contrary to the industry’s code and the commission deplore the publication of the so-called Camillagate tapes. We recognise, however, that unethically and illegally obtained material may still be published abroad and republished in Britain.’ Rejecting the Calcutt proposals, the PCC nonetheless admitted: ‘…exceptional circumstances may arise which would justify the publication. For these reasons we think it is essential that there should be legislation defining the boundaries of the law.’

The incident highlighted the apparent contempt with which Murdoch’s newspapers in particular held any attempt by the British establishment to curtail the activities of the press. Brown also hinted at more sinister practices. He claimed that Robert Maxwell bugged his own staff and kept under lock and key the names and pictures of two senior Conservative MPs who made use of the services of a Wigmore Street massage parlour but was happy to publish stories about the visits of showbiz celebrities and Major Tom Ferguson, father of the Duchess of York.

The PCC has always seemed strangely reluctant to investigate the methods used to obtain stories, perhaps relying too heavily upon assurances from editors that their staff would never misbehave in such a way. Often MediaWise has had calls from people besieged in their homes by ‘media scrums’. They are always advised to try to keep their cool, since displays of fear – driving away at speed – or anger – threatening or actually striking out at photographers or reporters – provide the new angle the pack are waiting to seize upon. One teacher, who had in earlier days worked for an escort agency, described how a reporter had marched around her house calling out: ‘Come on out, we know you’re in there. We know you were a whore.’ This was, of course, denied by the newspaper. A single parent who had left the police force after winning compensation three years earlier for what the Daily Mail had described as ‘a sustained campaign of harassment [by police colleagues] which undermined not only her professional confidence but also her health’, was horrified to discover that two people had been peering into her house and asking questions of her neighbours. She had moved home for her own protection. The following week the Daily Mail identified its location and described her home as ‘tastefully decorated with old-style farm furniture and expensive ornaments’.

Although the Mail had earlier opined: ‘She had every justification for taking her case to an industrial tribunal…which she had deservedly won’, like other newspapers it had always quoted a sum concocted by journalists after the hearing. Constrained by the terms of her settlement from revealing details of the award, the woman felt helpless to challenge the frequent repetition of this exaggerated figure, which was now being used by the Mail along with some of the sexist jibes she had endured, as part of its campaign against ‘the compensation culture’. The PCC wanted evidence that the incident had affected her health, and the Mail claimed ‘public interest’ in justification of its repeated references to her.

Other complainants had also been asked to reveal medical or even police records to the PCC with no guarantee that they would not be seen by the newspapers which had made inaccurate or intrusive claims. Some even suggested that the PCC was being used as a backdoor means of confirming what was only suspected, or of legitimising information which had been illicitly obtained.

Another woman called MediaWise from her bedroom where she had taken refuge after being told by a neighbour that two men were skulking around her isolated house, and peering through her downstairs windows. She had earlier refused to talk to a reporter and photographer from the Daily Mail. MediaWise called the news desk to insist that the men be called off. Despite denials of their presence, they withdrew shortly afterwards. This woman, who had been trying to expose sharp practices by a mortgage company, had become terrified when she realised that someone was accessing her telephone records illicitly. This was before mobile phones had become ubiquitous. She had been hounded by a man claiming to be a journalist but who she suspected of being a private investigator. Years later the revelations of the Information Commissioner (Thomas, 2006) confirmed what so many MediaWise clients had always suspected, that newspapers routinely hired investigators to collect data which staff could not readily access.

Their other sources are the news agencies and freelances who provide an ever more essential information gathering service as the number of staff journalists has reduced over the years. Their earning capacity depends upon adding value to stories which may arise from court cases or local news outlets, and to provide local background for national stories. This is one of the significant structural issues, along with ‘citizen journalism’, blogging and Twitter which will continue to have an impact upon newsgathering techniques and media standards.

Two European Commission funded projects are currently investigating what all this might mean in terms of both policy and practice (see www.mediaact.eu and www.mediadem.eliamep.gr). The new PCC Chair, Lord Hunt, already believes he has got the measure of the task in his reform proposals to persuade bloggers to register and adopt a standards ‘kitemark’. However, it remains one of the greatest challenges both to regulators and to the Leveson Inquiry.

The journalism of the future will not be in the hands of a select band of hacks who consider themselves the gatekeepers of public taste and morals, free to operate as they please. It will be subject to constant scrutiny and open to a far wider range of participants – and best of all it should become fertile ground for high quality investigative reporting which recognises people rights, considers consequences, and expects public servants and power elites to operate as ethically as the media professionals will now be expected to behave.

It is a great opportunity for all those working with children and young people. Their image and how they are portrayed has direct impact on helping them and protecting them. Too often their portrayal is full of negativity. This needs to be scrutinised and their achievements celebrated much more widely.

The conference will explore various aspects surrounding children’s representation and rights as well as the media’s responsibilities and regulations. The speakers and presenters we have assembled represent a depth of experience and range of disciplines that truly should make this a memorable day.

Speakers include:

• Elisabeth Ribbans, Managing Editor of the Guardian
• Jim Gamble QPM, CEO of INEQE Group, former Head of CEOP
• Simon Milner, UK Head of Policy at Facebook
• Naomi Gummer, UK Public Policy Analyst at Google
• Charlotte Dewar, Head of Complaints at the Press Complaints Commission
• Sue Steel, Co-ordinator, Anti-Bullying Alliance
• Dr Fleur Fisher, Chair, Teenage Magazine Arbitration Panel
• David Akinsanya, Film maker and Presenter
• Susana Giner, Director of Youth Media Agency supported by Young Journalists
• Mike Jempson, Director of MediaWise and Lecturer in Journalism, University of the West of England
• Colin Kay, Education Consultant and former Head Teacher, Clarendon College, Trowbridge

For more details, including booking information, see the conference flyer.

The Board and Management of the SABC have affirmed their commitment to the principle of Editorial Independence and to an Editorial Code of Ethics. For the purpose of this Code, it is understood that the authority for editorial decisions vests in the editorial staff.

We shall report, contextualise, and present news honestly by striving to disclose all essential facts and by not suppressing relevant, available facts, or distorting by wrong or improper emphasis.

We shall be aware of the danger of discrimination being furthered by the media, and shall do our utmost to avoid promoting such discrimination based on gender, race, language, culture, political persuasion, class, sexual orientation, religious belief, marital status, physical or mental disability.

We shall evaluate information solely on merit, and shall not allow advertising, commercial, political or personal considerations to influence our editorial decisions.

We shall respect the legitimate rights to privacy of individuals and shall do nothing which entails intrusion into private grief and distress unless justified by overriding considerations of public interest.

We shall take due care and be sensitive in the presentation of brutality, violence, atrocities and personal grief.

We shall seek balance through the presentation as far as possible of relevant viewpoints on matters of importance. This requirement may not always be reached within a single programme or news bulletin but should be achieved within a reasonable period.

We shall prevail on news merit and judgement in reaching editorial decisions. Fairness does not require editorial staff to be unquestioning, or the Corporation to give all sides of an issue the same amount of time.

We shall be enterprising in perceiving, pursuing and presenting, issues, which affect society and the individual, in serving the public’s right to know.

We shall be free from obligation to any interest group and shall be committed to the public’s right to know the truth.
 
We shall not accept gifts, favours, free travel, special treatment or privileges, which may compromise our integrity and any such offer shall be disclosed.

We shall identify ourselves and our employers before obtaining any information for broadcast. As a general rule, journalism should be conducted openly. Covert methods must be employed only with due regard to their legality and to considerations such as fairness and invasion of privacy, and whether the information to be obtained is of such significance as to warrant being made public but is unavailable by other means.
 
We shall not disclose confidential sources of information.

We shall do our utmost to correct timeously any information broadcast and found to be prejudicially inaccurate.

We shall foster open dialogue with our viewers and listeners, as we are accountable to the public for our reports.

[Source: www.rjionline.org]

The full editorial polices of the SABC are available here.

The basic principle to be upheld is that the freedom of the press is indivisible from and subject to the same rights and duties as that of the individual and rests on the public’s fundamental right to be informed and freely to receive and to disseminate opinions.

In considering complaints the Press Ombudsman and Appeal Panel will be guided by the following:

1. Reporting of News

1.1 The press shall be obliged to report news truthfully, accurately and fairly.
1.2 News shall be presented in context and in a balanced manner, without an intentional or négligent departure from the facts whether by:
1.2.1 distortion, exaggeration or misrepresentation;
1.2.2 material omissions; or
1.2.3 summarisation

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

1.4  Where there is reason to doubt the accuracy of a report 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 mentioned in such report.

1.5 A newspaper should usually seek the views of the subject of serious critical reportage in advance of publication; provided that this need not be done where the newspaper has reasonable grounds for believing that by doing so it would be prevented from publishing the report or where evidence might be destroyed or witnesses intimidated.

1.6  A publication should make amends for publishing information or comment that is found to be harmfully inaccurate by printing, promptly and with appropriate prominence, a retraction, correction or explanation.

1.7  Reports, photographs or sketches relative to matters involving indecency or obscenity shall be presented with due sensitivity towards the prevailing moral climate.

1.8   The identity of rape victims and other victims of sexual violence shall not be published without the consent of the victim.

1.9  News obtained by dishonest or unfair means, or the publication of which would involve a breach of confidence, should not be published unless there is an overriding public interest.

1.10 In both news and comment, the press shall exercise exceptional care and consideration in matters involving the private lives and concerns of individuals, bearing in mind that any right to privacy may be overridden by a legitimate public interest.

1.11  A newspaper has wide discretion in matters of taste but this does not justify lapses of taste so repugnant as to bring the freedom of the press, into disrepute or be extremely offensive to the public.

1.12  A newspaper should not place gratuitous emphasis on the race, nationality, religion, colour, country of origin, gender, sexual preferences, marital status, political views or intellectual or physical disability of either individuals or groups, unless the fact is relevant.

2.  Advocacy

A newspaper is justified in strongly advocating its own views on
controversial topics provided that it treats its readers fairly by
2.1 making fact and opinion clearly distinguishable;
2.2 not misrepresenting Or suppressing relevant facts
2.3 not distorting the facts in text or headlines.

3. Comment

3.1 The press shall be entitled to comment upon or criticise any actions or events of public importance provided such comments or criticisms are fairly and honestly made.
3.2 Comment by the press shall be presented in such manner that it appears clearly that it is comment , and shall be made on facts truly stated or fairly indicated and referred to.
3.3 Comment by the press shall be an honest expression of opinion, without malice or dishonest motives, and shall
take fair account of all available facts which are material to the matter commented upon.

4. Headlines, posters, pictures and captions

4.1   Headlines and captions to pictures shall give a reasonable reflection of the contents of the report or picture in question.
4.2   Posters shall not mislead the public and shall give a reasonable reflection of the contents of the reports in question.
4.3   Pictures shall not misrepresent or mislead nor be manipulated to do so.

5.  Confidential sources

A newspaper has an obligation to protect confidential sources of information.

6.  Payment for articles

No payment shall be made for feature articles to persons engaged in crime or other notorious misbehaviour, or to convicted persons or their associates, including family, friends, neighbours and colleagues, except where the material concerned ought to be published in the public interest and the payment is necessary for this to be done.

7.   Violence

Due care and responsibility shall be exercised by the press with regard to the presentation of brutality, violence and atrocities.

[Source: www.journalism.co.za]

1. A journalist has a duty to maintain the highest professional and ethical standards.

2. A journalist shall at all times defend the principle of Freedom of the Press and other Media in relation to the collection of information and the expression of comment and criticism. He/she shall strive to eliminate distortion, news suppression and censorship.

3. A journalist shall strive to ensure that the information he/she disseminates is fair and accurate, avoid the expression of comment and conjecture as established fact and falsification by distortion, selection or misrepresentation.

4. A journalist shall rectify promptly any harmful inaccuracies, ensure that corrections and apologies receive due prominence and afford the right of reply to persons criticised when the issue is of sufficient importance.

5. A journalist shall obtain information, photographs and illustrations only by straightforward means. The use of other means can be justified only by overriding considerations of the public interest. The journalist is entitled to exercise a personal conscientious objection to the use of such means.

6. Subject to justification by overriding considerations of public interest, a journalist shall do nothing which entails intrusion into private grief and distress.

7. A journalist shall protect confidential sources of information.

8. A journalist shall not accept bribes nor shall he/she allow other inducements to influence the performance of his/her professional duties.

9. A journalist shall not lend himself/herself to the distortion or suppression of the truth because of advertising or other considerations.

[Source: www.journalism.co.za]

Preamble
The press exists to serve society. Its freedom provides for independent scrutiny of the forces that shape society, and is essential to realising the promise of democracy. It enables citizens to make informed judgments on the issues of the time, a role whose centrality is recognised in the South African Constitution. Section 16 of the Bill of Rights sets out that:

“Everyone has the right to freedom of expression, which includes:
a)    Freedom of the press and other media;
b)    Freedom to receive and impart information or ideas;
c)    Freedom of artistic creativity; and
d)    Academic freedom and freedom of scientific research.

“The right in subsection (1) does not extend to
a)    Propaganda for war;
b)    Incitement of imminent violence; or
c)    Advocacy of hatred that is based on race, ethnicity, gender or religion, and that constitutes incitement to cause harm.”

The press holds these rights in trust for the country’s citizens; and it is subject to the same rights and duties as the individual. Everyone has the duty to defend and further these rights, in recognition of the struggles that created them: the media, the public and government, who all make up the democratic state.

Our work is guided at all times by the public interest, understood to describe information of legitimate interest or importance to citizens. 
 
As journalists, we commit ourselves to the highest standards of excellence, to maintain credibility and keep the trust of our readers. This means striving for the maximum truth, avoiding unnecessary harm and acting independently.
 
We adopt the following Code:

1. Reporting of News
1.1 The press shall be obliged 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 due regard to context and importance. Where a report is not based on facts or is founded on opinions, allegation, rumour or supposition, it shall be presented in such manner as to indicate this clearly.

1.4 Where there is reason to doubt the accuracy of a report 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 mentioned in such report.

1.5 A publication should seek the views of the subject of serious critical reportage in advance of publication; provided that this need not be done where the publication has reasonable grounds for believing that by doing so it would be prevented from publishing the report or where evidence might be destroyed or sources intimidated. If the publication is unable to obtain such comment, this shall be stated in the report.

1.6 A publication should make amends for publishing information or comment that is found to be inaccurate by printing, promptly and with appropriate prominence, a retraction, correction or explanation.

1.7 Reports, photographs or sketches relating to indecency or obscenity shall be presented with due sensitivity to the prevailing moral climate. A visual presentation of sexual conduct should not be published, unless public interest dictates otherwise.

1.8 Journalists shall not plagiarise.

2. Gathering of news
2.1 News should be obtained legally, honestly and fairly unless public interest dictates otherwise.

2.2 Press representatives shall identify themselves as such, unless public interest dictates otherwise.

3. Independence & conflicts of interest
3.1 The press shall not allow commercial, political, personal or other non-professional considerations to influence or slant reporting. Conflicts of interest must be avoided, as well as arrangements or practices that could lead audiences to doubt the press’s independence and professionalism.

3.2 Journalists shall not accept a bribe, gift or any other benefit where this is intended or likely to influence coverage.

3.3 The press shall indicate clearly when an outside organisation has contributed to the cost of newsgathering.

3.4 Editorial material shall be kept clearly distinct from advertising.

4. Privacy
4.1 The press shall exercise exceptional care and consideration in matters involving the private lives and concerns of individuals, bearing in mind that any right to privacy may be overridden only by a legitimate public interest.

4.2 The identity of rape victims and victims of sexual violence shall not be published without the consent of the victim or in the case of children, without the consent of their legal guardians.

4.3 The HIV/AIDS status of people should not be disclosed without their consent, or in the case of children, without the consent of their legal guardians.

5. Dignity & Reputation
The press shall exercise exceptional care and consideration in matters involving dignity and reputation, bearing in mind that any right to privacy may be overridden only by a legitimate public interest.

6. Discrimination and Hate Speech
6.1 The press should avoid discriminatory or denigratory references to people’s race, colour, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation or preference, physical or mental disability or illness, age, or other status except where it is strictly relevant to the matter reported.

6.2 The press should not refer to a person’s race, colour, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation or preference, physical or mental disability or other status in a prejudicial or pejorative context except where it is strictly relevant to the matter reported.

6.3 The press has the right and indeed the duty to report and comment on all matters of legitimate public interest. This right and duty must, however, be balanced against the obligation not to publish material which amounts to hate speech.

7. Advocacy
A publication is justified in strongly advocating its own views on controversial topics provided that it treats its readers fairly by:

7.1 Making fact and opinion clearly distinguishable;

7.2 Not misrepresenting or suppressing relevant facts;

7.3 Not distorting the facts.

8. Comment
8.1 The press shall be entitled to comment upon or criticise any actions or events of public interest provided such comments or criticisms are fairly and honestly made.

8.2 Comment by the press shall be presented in such manner that it appears clearly that it is comment, and shall be made on facts truly stated or fairly indicated and referred to.

8.3 Comment by the press shall be an honest expression of opinion, without malice or dishonest motives, and shall take fair account of all available facts which are material to the matter commented upon.

9. Children
Definition of Child Pornography
For purposes of this Code, “child pornography” shall mean: “Any image or any description of a person, real or simulated, who is or who is depicted or described as being, under the age of 18 years, engaged in sexual conduct; participating in or assisting another person to participate in sexual conduct; or showing or describing the body or parts of the body of the person in a manner or circumstances which, in context, amounts to sexual exploitation, or in a manner capable of being used for purposes of sexual exploitation.”

9.1 Child pornography shall not be published.

9.2 Exceptional care and consideration must be exercised when reporting on matters where children under the age of 18 are involved. If there is any chance that coverage might cause harm of any kind to a child, he or she should not be interviewed, photographed or identified unless a custodial parent or similarly responsible adult consents or a public interest is evident.

9.3 The press shall not identify children who have been victims of abuse or exploitation, or have been charged with or convicted of a crime.

10. Violence
Due care and responsibility shall be exercised by the press with regard to the presentation of brutality, violence and atrocities.

11. Headlines, Posters, Pictures and Captions
11.1 Headlines and captions to pictures shall give a reasonable reflection of the contents of the report or picture in question.

11.2 Posters shall not mislead the public and shall give a reasonable reflection of the contents of the reports in question.

11.3 Pictures shall not misrepresent or mislead nor be manipulated to do so.

12. Confidential & Anonymous sources
12.1 The press has an obligation to protect confidential sources of information.

12.2 The press shall avoid the use of anonymous sources unless there is no other way to handle a story. Care should be taken to corroborate the information.

12.3 The press shall not publish information that constitutes a breach of confidence unless a legitimate public interest dictates otherwise.

13. Payment for Articles
The press shall avoid chequebook journalism where informants are paid, particularly when criminals are involved, except where the material concerned ought to be published in the public interest and the payment is necessary for this to be done.

Members of staff subscribe to The Star’s Code of Conduct and Independent Newspapers’ Code of Conduct [q.v.].

These codes specifically spell out the rules by which we gather and present news.

There is also a code for the production of surveys and advertising features.

All journalists on The Star undertake to ensure they comply with these codes at all times.

The Star’s code of ethics

Responsibilities:

*  In its reporting and comment, The Star should be accurate, fair, honest and frank.

*  The Star should aim to give all sides of an issue, by means of balanced presentation without bias, distortion, undue emphasis or omission.

*  The Star should be independent of government, commerce or any other vested interest.

*  The Star should expose wrongdoing, the misuse of power and unnecessary secrecy.

*  The Star should encourage racial co-operation and pursue a policy aimed at enhancing the welfare and progress of all sections of the population.

*   The Star should endeavour to be positive and constructive but not misleadingly optimistic or bland.

*  The Star should not pander to personal or sectional interests, but be solely concerned with the public interest.

*  The public’s right to know about matters of importance is paramount. The Star should therefore fight vigorously any measure to conceal facts of public interest, any attempt to prevent public access to the news and any effort further to curtail freedom of speech.

* The Star respects the individual’s right to privacy, except where it conflicts clearly with the public interest.

Accuracy

*  Sources of news should be identified unless there is good reason not to.

*   Facts should be checked carefully.

*  Reports of a technical nature should always be read back to the source. Other reports should be read back to the source for the checking of facts only, except when time does not permit or there is valid reason to believe that the source will endeavour to frustrate publication on grounds other than factual accuracy.

*  The Star should not be afraid to admit error, and should publish corrections spontaneously, promptly and with suitable prominence. Where an apology is appropriate, it should be tendered.

Integrity

*  The Star should report issues in an impartial and balanced manner. Every effort should be made to reflect all sides of a controversy, if not simultaneously, then in subsequent editions.

*  The Star should report news without regard to its own interests or viewpoint, and without favour to its advertisers.

*  No Star journalist should identify the source of information provided under a pledge of confidentiality.

*  News and comments should be kept separate, save in exceptional circumstances. Comment should always be clearly identifiable, as should material from non-Star sources.

* Advertising or promotional features should be clearly labelled, so as to leave readers in no doubt about the source and nature of the copy.

*  In its comment, The Star should be fair, but outspoken where necessary. It should provide a forum for the exchange of comment, and publish opinions it disagrees with.

* The Star should report matters concerning itself or its staff in the same manner as it reports on other individuals or institutions.

Honesty

*  The Star and its staff should be free of any obligation to news sources and special interests, including political parties. Even the appearance of obligation should be avoided, especially by political and financial journalists.

*  Neither The Star nor its staff may accept any gift or service of value, without reference to the editor. No gift, favour or special treatment may be accepted it if puts a member of staff under any obligation to the donor. Staff should distance themselves from excessive entertainment by seekers of publicity.

* No individuals may accept free or reduced-rate travel, without the permission of the editor. Such offers should be made to the newspaper rather than the person. Where a travel or other concession is accepted in order to write a feature, mention of it should be made at the foot of the article.

*  No individual may accept the loan of a vehicle, except for test-drive purposes.

* Star journalists should avoid active involvement in public affairs where a conflict of interest, potential or real, is likely to arise. Any financial, social, political or personal interest or activity which could give rise to such conflict should be declared to the editor.

* Staff may only accept outside commissions, part-time employment or freelance work for other publications with the knowledge and consent of the editor.

* Star journalists should be scrupulous in attending functions to which they have accepted invitations. If any appointment cannot be kept, the host or person concerned should be informed beforehand, or an apology tendered immediately afterwards.

[Source: www.rjionline.org]