U50 - LO4

Theres a lot that journalists have to take into account when writing an article, to be fair and
building themselves a positive reputation but also for legal reasons.

Press regulation is overseen by an organisation called IPSO which stands for the Independent
Press Standards Organisation. IPSO have a page on their website that includes guidance for
journalists. All of the things stated are optional however it is heavily suggested that journalists
should follow the guide as it will make things run smoothly.

The IPSO editors code of practice reads as follows:

- Accuracy

- Privacy

- Harassment

- Intrusion into grief of shock

- Reporting suicide

- 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

- Payments to criminals

- The public interest.

These are all things that journalists should consider taking on board as any of these things will
hinder your reputation as a journalist.

Passive audiences will read media written by journalists and take it in without a second thought
however the more informed will be aware of the newspaper companies to trust and not to trust
and who has their own agendas. For example The Daily Mail are known notoriously for having its
own agenda and disregarding any codes of practise to simulate a reaction in the press.

Journalists by law should not discriminate on the grounds of the nine protected characteristics
defined By The Equality Act, 2010. These include:

- Age

- Disability

- Gender Reassignment

- Marriage and Civil Partnership

- Pregnancy & Maternity

- Race

- Religion & Belief- Unless relevant to the story

- Sex

- Sexual Orientation

Journalists should not define people in these terms unless it is relevant to the story, so a persons
race, religion or sexuality should not be mentioned in a story unless its directly relevant to the
story. For example reporters shouldn’t refer to a criminal in terms of their race unless its directly
relevant to the story.

Often when writing about a terrorist attack reporters will mention religion but that should only be
done so if that has a direct baring on the case. For example someone who has been radicalised
by extreme islamist preachers and goes on to commit a criminal act.

Writing style is important for the readers understanding but it also helps the journalist develop an
identity through being consistent with their style. For example the Guardian has built up
reputation in journalism with its formal language and reliable information. Harold Evans, writing in
the Guardian explains some common mistakes. He remains formal with his language so you
know that the source is trustworthy.

For example in 2016 Harold wrote a piece titled “35 Words You’re (Probably) Getting Wrong”
where he explained common mistakes made by people.

the guardian generally cover more political news based stories with very factual information
included with quotes, interviews and statistics.

Style differs from journalist to journalist for example The NME has a very different writing style
than The Henley Standard. The NME uses slang, cuss words, and a generally more relaxed tone
and register. Whereas The Henley Standard is a lot more formal factual and punchy with its
information.

Sentence length is something that is used differently for different publications, for example The
Sun will have very short sentences to appeal to its target audience, whereas the Washington Post
will have longer sentences with a more complex vocabulary to appeal to its more informed
audience.

Most publications will want to use short paragraphs to make stories easier to read. Clarity is very
important as readers need to understand the stories clearly, so journalist will use very precise
language to describe events.

Spelling, punctuation, Grammar and Syntax is important for the journalist to be accurate with
because it helps enhance their credibility. Readers notice spelling mistakes and these damage
credibility.

Credibility is important for a journalists reputation so that people will believe what they write.
Objectivity is important for news stories so that the publication isn’t showing their reader a fair a
balanced report. For example its important that both sides of the story are reported equally
especially in the case of controversial subjects. Accuracy is important as if journalists are
reporting information or facts they need to be true protect their credibility. For example if a
publication reported that 20 people were killed in a bus accident but it turned out to be 2 that
would be an inaccurate report and damage their reputation and credibility. News papers need to
be fair in their reports and the easiest way to do this is to show balance in all stories reporting
from both sides of the situation at hand. For example if a member of the public complains about a
service they’ve received and contacts a publication for a story it is important that the publication
interview the service equally so that the story is balanced.

Law and ethics is something that the journalists need to be concerned with partly because it
could damage your credibility but party because it could you could be prosecuted or sued.

Journalists must not liable or defame somebody by writing something about them that is not true.

Journalists but also abide by the contempt of court act otherwise they cane fined our jailed.

For example journalist are aloud to report on proceedings in court but they must not report
anything relate to court case that hasn’t be heard by the jury if they do so they are in contempt of
court in which they can be jailed or fined. People under the age of 18 who are involved in court
cases must not be named unless a judge or magistrate lifts these restrictions.

Journalist shouldn’t report any information given in confidentiality unless given permission to do
so. Police will sometimes gives journalists private information to help them arrest the suspect but
this information should not be printed until the police say its safe to do so.

Official secrets are covered by the official secrets act and journalist may not report information in
breach of that act, if they do so they will be breaking the law and will be fined or jailed. An
example of this could be an undercover mi6 agent working abroad.