NCTJ IPSO Ethics and Regulation – Complete Question
and Answer Guide (2025–2026)
Introduction:
This document provides a comprehensive collection of NCTJ IPSO
Ethics and Regulation exam questions with 100% correct answers for
the 2025–2026 academic year. It covers all key areas of the Editors’
Code of Practice, including accuracy, privacy, harassment, reporting
on children, financial journalism, and the use of confidential sources.
The material also explains IPSO’s structure, powers, and handling of
complaints, making it ideal for NCTJ candidates preparing for the
ethics and regulation unit.
Exam Questions and Answers
11 Victims of Sexual Assault --- correct answer ---Must not identify
or publish material that could identify the victim 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.
12 Discrimination --- correct answer ---Avoid prejudicial or
pejorative reference to race, sex, religion, gender, orientation or
disability unless genuinely relevant.
13 Financial Journalism --- correct answer ---Must not use financial
info received in advance of publication for profit. Avoid publishing
when there is a conflict of interest via family member present.
,Must not sell or deal in shares they intend to write about in the
future.
14 Confidential Sources --- correct answer ---Journalists have moral
obligation to protect confidential sources of information
15 Witness Payments in Criminal Trials --- correct answer ---No
payment or offer of payment to witness involved in a case until
proceedings have ended. Payment or offer of payment to a person
later cited to give evidence must be declared.
1 Accuracy --- correct answer ---Must not publish inaccurate or
misleading material. Must distinguish between fact, comment and
conjecture. This includes images and headlines not supported by
text.
2 Privacy* --- correct answer ---Everyone is entitled to respect for
family life, home, health, and correspondence. Editors will be
expected to justify intrusions into someone's privacy without
consent. It's unacceptable to photograph anyone where there's the
expectation of privacy
3 Harassment* --- correct answer ---Journalists must not
intimidate, harass or persistently pursue. If asked to desist they
must, and identify themselves and employer on request.
, 4 Intrusion into Grief or Shock --- correct answer ---Enquiries must
be made with sympathy and discretion with publication handled
sensitively.
5 Reporting Suicide* --- correct answer ---Avoid excessive detail on
method used
6 Children* --- correct answer ---Must not approach or photograph
at school without permission. Children under 16 must be
interviewed or photographed relating to their own or another's
welfare without parental consent.Fame of parents does not justify
intrusion.
7 Children in sex cases* --- correct answer ---Children must not be
identified. Adults can be but terms like incest cannot be used.
8 Hospitals* --- correct answer ---Journalists must identify
themselves and obtain permission before entering non-public areas
or following inquiries.
9 Reporting of Crime* --- correct answer ---Relatives or friends
should not be identified without consent unless relevant to the
crime. Should not name under 18s who are due to appear in youth
court unless the name is already in the public domain.
and Answer Guide (2025–2026)
Introduction:
This document provides a comprehensive collection of NCTJ IPSO
Ethics and Regulation exam questions with 100% correct answers for
the 2025–2026 academic year. It covers all key areas of the Editors’
Code of Practice, including accuracy, privacy, harassment, reporting
on children, financial journalism, and the use of confidential sources.
The material also explains IPSO’s structure, powers, and handling of
complaints, making it ideal for NCTJ candidates preparing for the
ethics and regulation unit.
Exam Questions and Answers
11 Victims of Sexual Assault --- correct answer ---Must not identify
or publish material that could identify the victim 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.
12 Discrimination --- correct answer ---Avoid prejudicial or
pejorative reference to race, sex, religion, gender, orientation or
disability unless genuinely relevant.
13 Financial Journalism --- correct answer ---Must not use financial
info received in advance of publication for profit. Avoid publishing
when there is a conflict of interest via family member present.
,Must not sell or deal in shares they intend to write about in the
future.
14 Confidential Sources --- correct answer ---Journalists have moral
obligation to protect confidential sources of information
15 Witness Payments in Criminal Trials --- correct answer ---No
payment or offer of payment to witness involved in a case until
proceedings have ended. Payment or offer of payment to a person
later cited to give evidence must be declared.
1 Accuracy --- correct answer ---Must not publish inaccurate or
misleading material. Must distinguish between fact, comment and
conjecture. This includes images and headlines not supported by
text.
2 Privacy* --- correct answer ---Everyone is entitled to respect for
family life, home, health, and correspondence. Editors will be
expected to justify intrusions into someone's privacy without
consent. It's unacceptable to photograph anyone where there's the
expectation of privacy
3 Harassment* --- correct answer ---Journalists must not
intimidate, harass or persistently pursue. If asked to desist they
must, and identify themselves and employer on request.
, 4 Intrusion into Grief or Shock --- correct answer ---Enquiries must
be made with sympathy and discretion with publication handled
sensitively.
5 Reporting Suicide* --- correct answer ---Avoid excessive detail on
method used
6 Children* --- correct answer ---Must not approach or photograph
at school without permission. Children under 16 must be
interviewed or photographed relating to their own or another's
welfare without parental consent.Fame of parents does not justify
intrusion.
7 Children in sex cases* --- correct answer ---Children must not be
identified. Adults can be but terms like incest cannot be used.
8 Hospitals* --- correct answer ---Journalists must identify
themselves and obtain permission before entering non-public areas
or following inquiries.
9 Reporting of Crime* --- correct answer ---Relatives or friends
should not be identified without consent unless relevant to the
crime. Should not name under 18s who are due to appear in youth
court unless the name is already in the public domain.
