By Gavin Mackintosh-
Journalists and members of the British public are being urged to have their say on how they would improve the Editors’ Code of Practice.
The Editor’s Code Of Practise for The Independent Press Standards Organisation has today opened its three-yearly public consultation on the Code, under which the vast majority of Britain’s print and online journalists work.
The Editors’ Code of Practice Committee, which writes and revises the code of standards upheld and enforced by IPSO has called for members of the public, editors, journalists and others working in the media to come forward with suggestions on how the Code might be revised.
Following the last consultation three years ago, new provisions on mental health were inserted into the Code.
However, the Committee has not stated how many suggestions it received from members of the media during its last consultation which may have been rejected and what reasons they were not accepted.
Evidence of what proportion of recommendations were rejected are useful in determining whether the committee simply abandon useful recommendations that don’t suit their agenda
Committee chairman Neil Benson(pictured) said: “The Code is continuously reviewed and suggestions for revisions are considered by the committee, with the most recent update taking place in January 2021, when mental health was added to Clause 2 (Privacy) to improve understanding of the protection that the clause provides for individuals.
“This public consultation is another opportunity for points to be made about any aspect of the Code.
“The Editors’ Code of Practice is a living document guided by real world experience.
“It has been in operation for more than thirty years and during that time it has evolved to meet changes in society.”
The Editorial Committee has been contacted for comment