Standards
The Council's Standards of Practice relating to print media and associated digital outlets are contained in its:
The Statements of Principles and the Specific Standards are binding on publications which are subject to the Council's jurisdiction and are applied by the Council when considering complaints. They and the Advisory Guidelines are also used as the basis for statements by Council representatives about good media practice.
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The Standards Project
The Council has initiated a major three-year Standards Project to review and strengthen the effectiveness of its Standards of Practice. The Project will involve revision of existing standards and development of new standards, as well as improved communication of the standards to the media industry and the broader community, especially in the context of growing emphasis on electronic communication through the Internet and other means.
In order to help achieve these goals, the Project will include
- consultation with the community and media practitioners about the Council’s current standards and the level of compliance with them;
- this will include Round Table discussions; polling; and other interactive processes through newspapers, radio, television and social media. - systemic monitoring of compliance with the Council’s standards;
- this will include assessments of compliance in particular areas, issues or types of publications over a specified period. - independent panels to advise on detailed drafting of standards;
- the panels will include people from community and media backgrounds as well as specialist experts in particular areas; - a comparative compendium of standards from other sources;
- including internal newspaper codes, other press councils, and regulatory bodies of other media.
Comments and suggestions from members of the public will be welcome and may be made on a confidential basis to encourage frank provision of information and opinion.
