Press Council Guide to
Journalistic Ethics
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| Press Council Guide to Journalistic Ethics |
1.
Accuracy and Fairness : The fundamental objective of
journalism, declares the Guide, is to serve the people with news, views,
comments and information on matters of public interest in a fair, accurate,
unbiased, sober and decent manner .Publication of inaccurate, baseless,
graceless, misleading, or distorted material should be avoided All sides the
core issue or subject should be reported.
(a) Verification and checking of news before publication is necessary where its
publication and the comments based there on
can create complications, such
as:
(i)
Where it is likely to incite communal passions
(ii)
Where it is of a slanderous nature.
(b) However, failure to observe strictly this rule as to pre-publication
verification would not necessarily amount to a breach of Journalistic ethics on
the part of the editor.
(i)
Where the impigfned news item was merely a statement made by a responsible
political leaber of the ruling party at a Press conference or a public
statement of a recognised leader, or
(ii)
Where the impugned news item was based on the reports of an accredited
correspondent.
Provided in either case it was in respect to a matter
of public concern.
(c)
Unjustified rumors and surmises should
not be set forth as facts.
2.
Journalists should
judge no one unheard.
3.
Cautions against Defamatory Writings: Newspapers should not
publish anything which is per se defamatory or libellous against any
individual or organization unless after due care and checking they have
sufficient reason to believe that it is true and its publication will be for
public good.
4.
(a) Pre-publication verification of reports necessary :
Whenever a newspaper receives a report or article containing defamatory or
derogatory imputations or comments against a public figure, public servant or
public organisation, touching his/her or its public conduct charactor in so far as it appears in that
conduct, the editor should. Before publishing it, check with due care and
attention, its factual accuracy part from other authentic sources, with the
person or the organization and publish the same. If the person or the
organization likely to be affected by that report/ article refuses to give his/
her counter –version or reaction, despite sincere efforts made by the editor ,
a footnote to that effect should be published along with the report/ articles
If from the counter-version given by the person or organization concerned to
elicit his/ her or its version, comments or reaction the editors mind his left
rocking with doubt in regard to the
veracity of any part of the report / article he should omit from publication
that part and publish the rest with consequetioal amendment, provided the
editor is satisfied that the remainder is substantlaully accurate and its
publication will be for public benefit. If such doubt permeates the whole of
the report / article, the prudent course for him/her is not to publish it at
all.
(b)
This salutary rule of journalistic ethics and fairness follows as a necessary
corollary from two basic principles : the first is a fundamental canon of
natural justice,that no one should be condemned unheard. The second is that
freedom of the Press is not merely a right of the publishers and editors
But
also of the readers’ / peoples’ right to know all side of an issue of public
interest. The editor, therefore, cannot refuse to publish the reply or
rejoinder merely on the ground that in his/her opinion the reply or rejoinder
merely on the ground that in his/her opinion the story published in the
newspaper was true. That is an issue to be left to the Judgment of the readers.
5.
Privacy: instruction or invasion on the privacy of
individuals is not permissible unless outweighed by genuine overriding public
interest, not being a prurient or morbid curiosity. (Explanation: Things
concerning a person’s home, family, religion, health, sexuality, personal life
and private affairs are covered by the concept of privacy excepting where any
of these impinge (upon the public or public interest).
Victims
of Sex Crimes – Caution Against Publication of Names or Pictures.
6.
While reporting crimes involving rape or molestation of
women, of sexual assault on children, or raising doubts and questions touching
the chastity , personal character and privacy of women, the names. Photographs
of the victims or other particulars
leading to their identity should not be published. While such publication
serves no legitiomate public purpose, it may bring social opprobrium to the
victims and social embarrassment to their relations, family, friends,
community, religious order or the institution to which they belong.
7.
Newspapers to eschew suggestive guilt by association: They
should not name or identify the family or relative or associates of a person
convicted or accused of a crime, when they are totally innocent and a reference
to them is not relevant to the matter reported.
8.
Corrections: When any factual error or mistake is detected
or confirmed, the newspaper should publish the correction promptly with due
prominence and with apology or expression of regret in a case of serious lapse.
9.
(a) Right of Reply: The newspaper should promptly publish at
the instance of the person feeling aggrieved/ or concerned by the impugned
publication, a contradiction / reply/ rejoinder sent to the editor in the form
of a letter of a letter or note. The editor has a discretion either to publish
it in full or publish it’s a bridged and edited version, particularly when it
is inordinately long. But the reminder should be an effective reply to the
allegations. However, the editor is not entitled to alter, omit or refuse to
publish important portions of the reply / rejoinder which effectively deal with
the material allegations in the news item. If the editor doubts the truth or
factual accuracy of the contradiction/ reply / rejoinder, even then, it is his
/her duty to publish it, with liberty to add separately at the end, an editorial
comment doubting its veracity, but only when this doubt is reasonably founded
on unimpeachable documentary or other evidential material in his/ her
possession. The editor should not, in a cavalier fashion, without the
application of mind append such note as: we stand by our story’ it must be
remembered that the liberty to append an editorial comment to a rejoinder or
reply, is not an absolute right. It is a concession which has to be availed of
sparingly with due discretion and caution in appropriate cases.
(b)However,
where the reply / contradiction or rejoinder is being published in compliance
with the direction of the Press Council it is permissible to append a brief
editorial note to that effect .
10.
Letters to the editor : An editor who decides to open his/her
columns for letters on a controversial subject, is not obliged to publish all
the letters received in regard to that subject. S/he is entitled to select and
publish only some of them either in entirety or the gist there of . However, in
exercising this discretion s/ he must make an honest endeavour to ensure that
what is published is not one sided but represents a fair balance between the
views for and against with respect to the principle issue in controversy. In
the event of rejoinder upon rejoinder
being sent by two parties on a controversial subject , the editor has the
discretion to decide at which stage to close the continuing column.
11.
Conjecture, Comment and Fact: Newspapers should not pass on
or elevate conjecture, speculation or comment as a statement of fact. All these
categories should be distinctly stated.
Paramount
interest of State, Society and Rights of Individuals not to be Jeopardized.
12.
newspapers should, as a matter of self-regulation, exercise
due restraint and caution in presenting any news, comment or information which
id likely to Jeopardise, endanger or harm the paramount interests of the state
and society, or the right of individuals, for the protection of which
reasonable restrictions may be imposed by law on the right to freedom of speech
and expression under clause (2) of article 19 of the constitution of India
13.
Newspapers may expose misuse of diplomatic immunity: the
media should make every possible effort to build bridges of co-operation,
friendly relations and in developing better understanding between India
14.
Covering communal disputes clashes :News, views or comments
relating to communal or religious disputes/ clashes should be published after
proper verification of facts and presented with due caution and restraint in a
manner which is conducive to the reaction of an atmosphere congenial to
communal harmony, amity and peace. Sensational, provocative and alarming
headlines are to be avoided Acts of communal violence or vandalism people’s
confidence in the law and order machinery of the state, giving community –wise
figures of the victims of communal riot, or writhing to inflame passions,
aggravate the tensions, or accentuate the strained relations between the
communities/ religious groups concerned, or which has a potential to exacerbate
the trouble, should be avoided.
Headings
should not be sensational/ provocative and must justify the matter printed
under them
15.
In general, and particularly in the context of communal
disputes clashes:
(a)
Provocative and sensational headlines should be avoided.
(b)
Headings must refiect and justify the matter printed under
them.
(c)
Headings container allegations made in statements should
either identify the body or the source making it or an least carry quotation
marks.
16. Plagiarism: using
or passing off the writings or ideas of another as one’s own without crediting the source, is an offence against
the ethics of Journalism.
17. Recording
interviews and phone conversations:
Journalists should not tape –record anyone’s conversation without that
person’s knowledge or consent, except where the recording is necessary to
protect the journalist in a legal action, or for other compelling good reason.
18. (a) Obscenity and
vulgarity to be eschewed: Newspapers / journalists should not publish anything
which is obscene, vulgar cr offensive to public good taste.
(b) Newspapers
should not publish an advertisement contending which is unlawful or illegal or
is contrary to good taste or to journalistic ethics or proprieties ,
(c)
Newspapers should not display advertisements which are vulgar or which, through
picture of a woman in nude or lewd posture, provoke the lecherous attention of
males as if she herself was a commercial commodity for sale.
(d) While
publishing the tape- recorded statement of
another, the editor should delete obscene or filthy epithets offensive
to good public taste, with which the person stating might have punctuated the
tenor or tone or his/ her answers.
19.
Glorifuying violence to be eschewed: Newspapers /
journalists should avoid Presenting acts of violence, armed robberies and
terrorist activities in a manner that
glorifies their acts or death in the eyes of the public,
20.
Glorification/ Encouragement of Social Evils to be eschewed:
Newspapers should not allow their columns to misused for writing which have a
tendency t o encourage or glorify social evils like Sati Pratha.
21.
(a) Caution In Criticizing Judicial Acts : Excepting where
the court sits in camera or directs otherwise, it is open to a newspapers to
report pending. Judicial proceedings, in a fair, accurate and reasonable
manner. But it should not publish any thing:
(i) which in its direct
and immediate effect , creates a substantial risk of obstructing, impeding or
prejudicing seriously the due administration of justice
Or
(ii) is
in the nature of a running commentary or debate, or records the paper’s own
finding, conjectures, reflections or comments on issues, sub-judice , and which
may amount to arrogation to the newspaper the functions of the court
Or
(ii) Regarding the
personal character of the accused standing trial on a charge of committing a
crime.
(b) Newspapers
should not a matter of caution publish or comment on evidence collected as a
result of investigative journalism when after the accused is arrested and
charged, the court become seized of the case nor should they reveal, comment
upon or evaluate a confession allegedly made by the accused.
(c)
While newspapers may in the public interest make reasonable criticism of a
judicial act or the judgement of a court for public good they should not cast
scrrilous aspersions or or impute improper motive or personal bias to the judge
nor should they scandalize the court or the judiciary as a whole, or make
personal allegations of lack of ability or integrity against a judge.
(d)
Newspapers should, as a matter of caution avoid unfair and unwarranted
criticism which by inured attributes to a judge extraneous consideration for
performing an act in due cource of his /her judicial functions even if such
criticism does not strictly amount to Culpable Contempt of court.
22.
Newspapers should
avoid crass commercials : while Newspapers are entitled to ensure improve or
strengthen their financial viability by all legitimate means they should not
engage themselves through the print media in crass commercialism or unseemly,
cut-throat completion with their rivals for earning ever more profits for their
proprietors in a manner which is
repugnant to professional standards and good taste, and tends to
downgrade the primary role of the free
Press as an essential institution of democracy to a subservient place.
23. Photographs of Dead
Bodies of Victims of Crimes / Accidents:
Photo- journalism
is an important part of the print media.
While intrusion through photography into personal grief likely to hurt
sentiments or arouse communal passions. Should be avoided, publication of
photographs serving the larger public
interest cannot be termed unethical or in bad taste.
In the Indian
environment publication of the
photographs of the dead bodies of the victims of accidents or natural calamity
may not be per use wrong unless objected to be near relations of the deceased.
24. (a)Caste, Religion
or Community Disclosurs to be Generally
Avoided :In general, the identification of a person belonging to scheduled
caste or depressed class, with reference to his/her caste or by use of the word
Harijan should be avoided particularly when in the context it conveys a sense
or attributes a conduct or practice derogatory to that caste.
(b) It is not
desirable for a journalist to describe of person accused of an offence by
mentioning his caste when the caste does not have anything to do with the
offence or the crime and plays no part either in the identification of any
accused or proceeding, if there be any.
(c) Except when it become relevant and material,
it is not proper and desirable to mention the caste religion or community of an
assailant or victimin a news item. Mention of cate, creeed ,religion cr
community usually serves no useful purpose, but may at times have the
unfortunate effect of creating – ill feeding among communities and individuals.
25.
(a) Editor’s Responsibility for all matter published in the
Newspaper : The editor shall assume responsibility for all matter, including
advertisements, published in the newspaper. If responsibility is disclaimed,
this shall be explicitly stated before hand.
(b) Unconfirmed news shall be
identified and treated as such
26. Confidence to be
respected : If information is received from a confidential source, the
confidence should be respected. The journalist cannot be compelled by the Press
Council to disclose such source; but it
shall not be regarded as a breach of journalistic ethics if the source is
voluntarily disclosed in proceedings before the council by the journalist who
considers it necessary to repel effectively a charge against him/ her. This
rule requiring newspapers not to publish
matters disclosed to it in confidence is not applicable where
(a) consent of the
source is subsequently obtained.
(b) the
editor clarified by way of an appropriate footnote that since the publication of certain matters were in the public Interest,
the information in question was being published although it had been made ‘ off
the record’.
27. Dummy Advertisements : Publication of dummy
advertisement that have neither been paid for, nor authorized by the
advertisers, constitute breach of journalistic ethics.
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