Code of Conduct

— Code of ethics, Society of Professional Journalists, US

Private Media code of conduct

Private Media journalists and contributors abide by the code of ethics developed by the Media and Entertainment Arts Alliance (MEAA). The code of ethics applies across all platforms, including social media.

• Report and interpret honestly, striving for accuracy, fairness and disclosure of all essential facts. Do not suppress relevant available facts, or give distorting emphasis. Give a fair opportunity for reply.
• Do not place unnecessary emphasis on personal characteristics, including race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, age, sexual orientation, family relationships, religious belief, or physical or intellectual disability.
• Aim to attribute information to its source. Where a source seeks anonymity, do not agree without first considering the source’s motives and any alternative attributable source where possible. Where confidences are accepted, respect them in all circumstances.
• Do not allow personal interest, or any belief, commitment, payment, gift or benefit, to undermine your accuracy, fairness or independence. Journalists and contributors will disclose share holdings where relevant.
• Disclose conflicts of interest that affect, or could be seen to affect, the accuracy, fairness or independence of your journalism. Do not improperly use a journalistic position for personal gain.
• Do not allow advertising or other commercial considerations to undermine accuracy, fairness or independence.
• Ensure disclosure of any direct or indirect payment made for interviews or information.
• Use fair, responsible and honest means to obtain material. Identify yourself and your employer before obtaining any interview for publication or broadcast. Never exploit a person’s vulnerability or ignorance of media practice.
• Present pictures and sound that are true and accurate. Any manipulation likely to mislead should be disclosed.
• Do not plagiarise.
• Respect private grief and personal privacy. Journalists have the right to resist compulsion to intrude.
• Fairly correct errors.

Guidance Clause

Basic values often need interpretation and sometimes come into conflict. Ethical journalism requires conscientious decision-making in context. Only substantial advancement of the public interest or risk of substantial harm to people allows any standard to be overridden.

Personal gain

Employees must not request or accept inducements of money, goods, discounts or hospitality of any kind outside the normal scope of business hospitality. Only the editor or a nominee is authorised to accept offers of free or discounted hospitality such as travel and accommodation on behalf of a publication.

We correct mistakes in the original story on the website and then denote the change with a correction/clarification note at the bottom of the story. In some cases, we also run the correction in the comments section of the email edition the next day.

In addition, journalists have a duty to cooperate frankly and openly with the editor about any problems and to report errors to them. Freelancers are also bound by this duty.

Breaches of the code

Where a journalist or contributor is found to have breached the Private Media code a range of actions could be taken, including further training, formal performance management or termination.

Australian Press Council membership

This publication is bound by the standards of practice of the Australian Press Council.  If you are unsatisfied with the response to your complaint by our editorial team you may approach the council to seek resolution.

Email: info@presscouncil.org.au
Phone: (02) 9261 1930

Complaints / Corrections form

Please alert us to factual errors, complaints or any other tips to help improve future coverage by using the form here.