Page 291 - Law and the Media

Law and the Media

The Commission acknowledge your letter and decide whether it is within their remit and
presents a possible breach of the Code of Practice

A copy of your letter is sent to the editor The Commission write to you if they
of the publication suggesting that they decide not to deal with your complaint,
resolve the matter with you direct explaining why

↓
If the matter is not resolved at that stage, The Commission would not normally
the Commission decide whether there has consider the matter further if the complaint
been a breach of the Code. They may ask is resolved with the editor
you and/or the editor for more information
or comment

↓
The Commission reach a formal The Commission write to you and the
adjudication on the complaint editor to say that they do not intend to take
the matter further

↓ ↓
Complaint upheld Complaint not
upheld
↓ ↓
Copies of the adjudication are sent to you
and the editor. The publication concerned
is required to publish this adjudication in
full whenever a complaint is upheld

Figure 17.1 How your complaint is dealt with

17.3.3 Code of Practice

All members of the press have a duty to maintain the highest professional and ethical standards.
In doing so, they should have regard to the provisions of the Code of Practice and to
safeguarding the public’s right to receive information.

Editors are responsible for the actions of journalists employed by their publications. They
should also satisfy themselves as far as possible that material accepted from non-staff
members is obtained in accordance with the Code of Practice.
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