U.K. establishes press code to protect individual rights

LONDON (JP): Following the tragic death of Princess Diana last year, British unveiled a new code of practice for the press, to protect an individual's rights and to uphold the public's right to know.

The code includes prohibiting the use of a long lens to take pictures of people in their private places without consent. It also orders the papparazzi to leave someone's property and not to follow that person if they are asked to do.

In its introduction, the Press Complaints Commission (PCC) states that the code is "the cornerstone of the system of self- regulation to which the industry has made a binding commitment."

Editors and publishers must ensure that the code is observed rigorously not only by staff but also by anyone who contributes to their publications, it says.

The code divides subjects into 16 topics: accuracy, opportunity to reply, privacy, harassment, intrusion into grief or shock, children, children in sex cases, listening devices, hospitals, innocent relatives and friends, misrepresentation, victims of sexual assault, discrimination, financial journalism, confidential sources and payment for articles.

In Clause 3 of Privacy, the code clarifies that private places are "public or private property where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy".

A publication will be expected to justify intrusions into any individual's private life without consent.

In Clause 4, obtaining information or pictures through intimidation, harassment or persistent pursuit is unacceptable.

Journalists and photographers must not persist in telephoning, questioning, pursuing or photographing individuals after having been asked to desist.

"Editors must ensure that those working for them comply with these requirements and must not publish material from other sources which do not meet these requirements," it states.

In cases involving grief or shock, inquiries must be carried out and approaches made with sympathy and discretion.

The public debate of media pressure against Prince William and Prince Harry has been made clear by the code.

It states that journalists are not allowed to interview or photograph children under 16 on subjects involving "the welfare of the child or of any other child" in the absence of or without the consent of a parent or other responsible adult.

It also discloses that students must not be approached or photographed while at school without the permission of the school authorities.

Remember the saucy phone conversation between Prince Charles and Camellia Parker that was printed first in the British media and then around the world?

The press force is now no longer allowed to obtain or publish such material obtained by clandestine listening or by intercepting private phone conversations.

Punishment?

The code only stipulates this in Clause 1 of Accuracy, saying that an apology must be published when appropriate.

According to the National Press Assembly's secretary-general, Kenneth Morgan, the country has no legal institution yet that would be allowed to punish journalists, editors or the media.

The PCC only notes in its introduction remarks that "all members of the press have a duty to maintain the highest professional and ethical standards".

So, nobody would really be surprised if there are still instances of malpractice in the British media. (bsr)