NCTJ Media Law Exam|Complete With Latest
Answers Graded A+
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 1
Accuracy
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 1 (i)
The Press must take care not to publish inaccurate, misleading or distorted information or images,
including headlines not supported by the text.
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 1 ii)
A significant inaccuracy, misleading statement or distortion must be corrected, promptly and with due
prominence, and — where appropriate — an apology published. In cases involving IPSO, due
prominence should be as required by the regulator.
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 1 iii)
A fair opportunity to reply to significant inaccuracies should be given, when reasonably called for.
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 1 iv)
The Press, while free to editorialise and campaign, must distinguish clearly between comment,
conjecture and fact.
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 1 v)
A publication must report fairly and accurately the outcome of an action for defamation to which it
has been a party, unless an agreed settlement states otherwise, or an agreed statement is published.
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 2
*Privacy
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 2 i)
Everyone is entitled to respect for his or her private and family life, home, health and
correspondence, including digital communications.
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 2 ii)
Editors will be expected to justify intrusions into any individual's private life without consent. In
considering an individual's reasonable expectation of privacy, account will be taken of the
complainant's own public disclosures of information and the extent to which the material complained
about is already in the public domain or will become so.
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 2 iii)
It is unacceptable to photograph individuals, without their consent, in public or private places where
there is a reasonable expectation of privacy.
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 3
*Harassment
,Editors' Code of Practice Clause 3 i)
Journalists must not engage in intimidation, harassment or persistent pursuit.
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 3 ii)
They must not persist in questioning, telephoning, pursuing or photographing individuals once asked
to desist; nor remain on property when asked to leave and must not follow them. If requested, they
must identify themselves and whom they represent.
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 3 iii)
Editors must ensure these principles are observed by those working for them and take care not to use
non-compliant material from other sources.
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 4
Intrusion into grief or shock
Must be made with sympathy and discretion and publication handled sensitively. These provisions
should not restrict the right to report legal proceedings.
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 5
*Reporting suicide
Care should be taken to avoid excessive detail of the method used, while taking into account the
media's right to report legal proceedings.
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 6
*Children
An exceptional public interest would need to be demonstrated to over-ride the normally paramount
interests of children under 16.
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 6 i)
All pupils should be free to complete their time at school without unnecessary intrusion.
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 6 ii)
They must not be approached or photographed at school without permission of the school
authorities.
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 6 iii)
Children under 16 must not be interviewed or photographed on issues involving their own or another
child's welfare unless a custodial parent or similarly responsible adult consents.
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 6 iv)
Children under 16 must not be paid for material involving their welfare, nor parents or guardians for
material about their children or wards, unless it is clearly in the child's interest.
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 6 v)
,Editors must not use the fame, notoriety or position of a parent or guardian as sole justification for
publishing details of a child's private life.
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 7
*Children in sex cases
An exceptional public interest would need to be demonstrated to over-ride the normally paramount
interests of children under 16.
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 7 i)
In cases involving a sex offence against a child the child must not be identified.
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 7 ii)
In cases involving a sex offence against a child the adult may be identified.
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 7 iii)
In cases involving a sex offence against a child the word "incest" must not be used where a child
victim might be identified.
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 7 iv)
In cases involving a sex offence against a child care must be taken that nothing in the report implies
the relationship between the accused and the child.
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 8
*Hospitals
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 9
*Reporting of Crime
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 9 i)
Relatives or friends of persons convicted or accused of crime should not generally be identified
without their consent, unless they are genuinely relevant to the story.
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 9 ii)
Particular regard should be paid to the potentially vulnerable position of children under the age of 18
who witness, or are victims of, crime. This should not restrict the right to report legal proceedings.
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 9 iii)
Editors should generally avoid naming children under the age of 18 after arrest for a criminal offence
but before they appear in a youth court unless they can show that the individual's name is already in
the public domain, or that the individual (or, if they are under 16, a custodial parent or similarly
responsible adult) has given their consent. This does not restrict the right to name juveniles who
appear in a crown court, or whose anonymity is lifted.
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 10
*Clandestine devices and subterfuge
, Editors' Code of Practice Clause 10 i)
The press must not seek to obtain or publish material acquired by using hidden cameras or
clandestine listening devices; or by intercepting private or mobile telephone calls, messages or emails;
or by the unauthorised removal of documents or photographs; or by accessing digitally-held
information without consent.
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 10 ii)
Engaging in misrepresentation or subterfuge, including by agents or intermediaries, can generally be
justified only in the public interest and then only when the material cannot be obtained by other
means.
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 11
Victims of sexual assault
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 11
The press must not identify or publish material likely to lead to the identification of a victim of sexual
assault unless there is adequate justification and they are legally free to do so. Journalists are entitled
to make enquiries but must take care and exercise discretion to avoid the unjustified disclosure of the
identity of a victim of sexual assault.
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 12
Discrimination
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 12 i)
The press must avoid prejudicial or pejorative reference to an individual's, race, colour, religion, sex,
gender identity, sexual orientation or to any physical or mental illness or disability.
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 12 ii)
Details of an individual's race, colour, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical or mental
illness or disability must be avoided unless genuinely relevant to the story.
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 13
Financial Journalism
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 14
Confidential sources
Journalists have a moral obligation to protect confidential sources of information.
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 15
Witness payments in criminal trials
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 16
*Payments to criminals
Answers Graded A+
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 1
Accuracy
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 1 (i)
The Press must take care not to publish inaccurate, misleading or distorted information or images,
including headlines not supported by the text.
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 1 ii)
A significant inaccuracy, misleading statement or distortion must be corrected, promptly and with due
prominence, and — where appropriate — an apology published. In cases involving IPSO, due
prominence should be as required by the regulator.
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 1 iii)
A fair opportunity to reply to significant inaccuracies should be given, when reasonably called for.
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 1 iv)
The Press, while free to editorialise and campaign, must distinguish clearly between comment,
conjecture and fact.
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 1 v)
A publication must report fairly and accurately the outcome of an action for defamation to which it
has been a party, unless an agreed settlement states otherwise, or an agreed statement is published.
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 2
*Privacy
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 2 i)
Everyone is entitled to respect for his or her private and family life, home, health and
correspondence, including digital communications.
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 2 ii)
Editors will be expected to justify intrusions into any individual's private life without consent. In
considering an individual's reasonable expectation of privacy, account will be taken of the
complainant's own public disclosures of information and the extent to which the material complained
about is already in the public domain or will become so.
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 2 iii)
It is unacceptable to photograph individuals, without their consent, in public or private places where
there is a reasonable expectation of privacy.
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 3
*Harassment
,Editors' Code of Practice Clause 3 i)
Journalists must not engage in intimidation, harassment or persistent pursuit.
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 3 ii)
They must not persist in questioning, telephoning, pursuing or photographing individuals once asked
to desist; nor remain on property when asked to leave and must not follow them. If requested, they
must identify themselves and whom they represent.
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 3 iii)
Editors must ensure these principles are observed by those working for them and take care not to use
non-compliant material from other sources.
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 4
Intrusion into grief or shock
Must be made with sympathy and discretion and publication handled sensitively. These provisions
should not restrict the right to report legal proceedings.
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 5
*Reporting suicide
Care should be taken to avoid excessive detail of the method used, while taking into account the
media's right to report legal proceedings.
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 6
*Children
An exceptional public interest would need to be demonstrated to over-ride the normally paramount
interests of children under 16.
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 6 i)
All pupils should be free to complete their time at school without unnecessary intrusion.
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 6 ii)
They must not be approached or photographed at school without permission of the school
authorities.
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 6 iii)
Children under 16 must not be interviewed or photographed on issues involving their own or another
child's welfare unless a custodial parent or similarly responsible adult consents.
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 6 iv)
Children under 16 must not be paid for material involving their welfare, nor parents or guardians for
material about their children or wards, unless it is clearly in the child's interest.
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 6 v)
,Editors must not use the fame, notoriety or position of a parent or guardian as sole justification for
publishing details of a child's private life.
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 7
*Children in sex cases
An exceptional public interest would need to be demonstrated to over-ride the normally paramount
interests of children under 16.
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 7 i)
In cases involving a sex offence against a child the child must not be identified.
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 7 ii)
In cases involving a sex offence against a child the adult may be identified.
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 7 iii)
In cases involving a sex offence against a child the word "incest" must not be used where a child
victim might be identified.
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 7 iv)
In cases involving a sex offence against a child care must be taken that nothing in the report implies
the relationship between the accused and the child.
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 8
*Hospitals
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 9
*Reporting of Crime
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 9 i)
Relatives or friends of persons convicted or accused of crime should not generally be identified
without their consent, unless they are genuinely relevant to the story.
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 9 ii)
Particular regard should be paid to the potentially vulnerable position of children under the age of 18
who witness, or are victims of, crime. This should not restrict the right to report legal proceedings.
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 9 iii)
Editors should generally avoid naming children under the age of 18 after arrest for a criminal offence
but before they appear in a youth court unless they can show that the individual's name is already in
the public domain, or that the individual (or, if they are under 16, a custodial parent or similarly
responsible adult) has given their consent. This does not restrict the right to name juveniles who
appear in a crown court, or whose anonymity is lifted.
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 10
*Clandestine devices and subterfuge
, Editors' Code of Practice Clause 10 i)
The press must not seek to obtain or publish material acquired by using hidden cameras or
clandestine listening devices; or by intercepting private or mobile telephone calls, messages or emails;
or by the unauthorised removal of documents or photographs; or by accessing digitally-held
information without consent.
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 10 ii)
Engaging in misrepresentation or subterfuge, including by agents or intermediaries, can generally be
justified only in the public interest and then only when the material cannot be obtained by other
means.
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 11
Victims of sexual assault
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 11
The press must not identify or publish material likely to lead to the identification of a victim of sexual
assault unless there is adequate justification and they are legally free to do so. Journalists are entitled
to make enquiries but must take care and exercise discretion to avoid the unjustified disclosure of the
identity of a victim of sexual assault.
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 12
Discrimination
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 12 i)
The press must avoid prejudicial or pejorative reference to an individual's, race, colour, religion, sex,
gender identity, sexual orientation or to any physical or mental illness or disability.
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 12 ii)
Details of an individual's race, colour, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical or mental
illness or disability must be avoided unless genuinely relevant to the story.
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 13
Financial Journalism
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 14
Confidential sources
Journalists have a moral obligation to protect confidential sources of information.
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 15
Witness payments in criminal trials
Editors' Code of Practice Clause 16
*Payments to criminals
