Journalism Ethics and Regulation

397 Pages·2011·3.153 MB·English

by  Chris Frost

J
‘This book is a timely, comprehensive and indispensable handbook for journalists and o
a rallying cry for all those who believe ethical journalism is not just possible but an
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essential part of a free media in a democratic society. Using real-life examples Chris
Frost’s book is both a practical tool which deserves a place on every journalist’s desk r
and an unbeatable guide to the origins, failures and successes of media regulation in n
the UK and beyond.’ Jeremy Dear, General Secretary of the National Union of Journalists
a
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Ph Technology and the democratising of news gathering continue to change traditional i
oto journalistic practice, making the path through ethical and regulatory frameworks s
grap tough to negotiate. As high-profile celebrity cases such as Max Mosley’s vividly m Journalism
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: K illustrate, conflicts between the law, ethics and the public’s right and desire to be
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te informed are not easily resolved.
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id This comprehensive volume addresses the ethical considerations, dilemmas and
dleto challenges the practising journalist faces, each minute, every day. Providing context t ethics and
n, fi and practical advice, it explores an area of crucial importance for the 21st century, h
a thoroughly equipping the reader with the information and tools to negotiate this
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ée challenging area knowledgeably, practically and responsibly. C
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f Prin new to this third edition s regulation
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e
W  Updated to include the latest arguments and developments in print and
illia broadcast regulation and the major research into the area a
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©  New case studies and topical examples throughout, including Stephen Gately, n
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EU Max Mosley and the News of the World d
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E
RS  Further consideration of changes and issues brought about by new technology, 3rd edition
/ST including website archiving and the ‘right to forget’ r
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 More on the tensions between free expression and anti-terrorism laws e
 Dedicated new chapter on reputation; more coverage of privacy g
 A broader look at ethics abroad and regulation beyond the UK u
 Author’s blog at http://ethics-regulation.blogspot.com/
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a
main features
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 Comprehensive coverage of core ethical issues, such as the ethics of news gathering, intrusion
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and privacy, and the difficulties of achieving truth, accuracy and objectivity under pressure o
 Provides journalists with the tools to make informed ethical decisions in their day-to-day work
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 Looks at what underpins ethics both in terms of everyday, minute-to-minute decisions and from
where – historically and philosophically – codes and practices have emerged

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 Considers the differences and blurring distinctions between regulation (both self- and statutory)
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and practice for print and broadcast journalism
 Provides detailed coverage of the main codes of practice and regulatory bodies – PCC, Ofcom, o
BBC, NUJ etc. – in the UK and beyond s
this book has been written for students and trainee journalists, working journalists and editors, t Chris Frost
and indeed for any student of the media.
third
Chris Frost is Professor and Head of Journalism at Liverpool John L
edition
Moores University. Before moving into teaching he worked in

newspapers for more than twenty years as a journalist and editor. P
He is also the author of Reporting for Journalists and Designing
for Newspapers and Magazines, a former president of the National J
Union of Journalists, and chairs the NUJ’s Ethics Council. Longman Practical Journalism
www.pearson-books.com
CVR_FROS4685_03_SE_CVR.indd 1 13/12/2010 17:32
Journalism Ethics and Regulation
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Journalism
Ethics and
Regulation
Third Edition
Chris Frost
Head of Journalism
Liverpool Screen School,
Liverpool John Moores University
Pearson Education Limited
Edinburgh Gate
Harlow
Essex CM20 2JE
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First published 2000, as Media Ethics and Self-Regulation
Second edition published 2007
Third edition published 2011
© Christopher Frost 2000
© Pearson Education Limited 2007, 2011
The right of Christopher Frost to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by
him in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
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ISBN: 978-1-4082-4468-5
British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Frost, Chris, 1950-
[Media ethics and self-regulation]
Journalism ethics and regulation / Chris Frost. -- 3rd ed.
p. cm.
Originally published under the title: Media ethics and self-regulation.
Includes bibliographical references, webliography, and index.
ISBN 978-1-4082-4468-5 (pbk.)
1. Journalistic ethics. 2. Reporters and reporting. 3. Press law. I. Title.
PN4756.F76 2010
070.4'3--dc22
2010039999
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
14 13 12 11 10
Typeset in 9/12pt ITC Giovanni Std by 3
Printed and bound in Great Britain by Henry Ling Ltd, at the Dorset Press, Dorchester, Dorset
Brief Contents
S Abbreviations xiii
T
N   Acknowledgements xv
E
  Introduction 1
T
N   The structure of the book 6
O
C
1 What are ethics? 9
F
E 2 News: towards a definition 23
I
R 3 Morality of reporting 39
B
4 The good journalist 59
5 Truth, accuracy, objectivity and trust 67
6 Privacy and intrusion 89
7 Reputation 117
8 Gathering the news 127
9 Reporting the vulnerable 141
10 Deciding what to publish 159
11 Harm and offence 175
12 Professional practice 187
13 Regulation 205
14 History of print regulation 221
15 History of broadcast regulation 251
16 Codes of conduct as a regulatory system 263
17 Press regulation systems in the UK and Ireland 273
18 Broadcast regulation systems in the UK and Ireland 293
19 The experience abroad 307
20 The future 319

Appendix 1 PCC Code of Practice 330
Appendix 2 NUJ Code of Conduct 335
Appendix 3 Code of Practice for Press Council of Ireland 337
Appendix 4 BBC Code of Ethics 341
Appendix 5 International Federation of Journalists 343
Appendix 6 Ofcom Broadcasting Code 345
Appendix 7 TMAP Guidelines 348
Appendix 8 Addresses for regulatory bodies 351
Appendix 9 My ethics blog 353
Appendix 10 Alliance of Independent Press Councils of Europe 355
Glossary 359
  Bibliography 361
  Index 367
Contents
S Abbreviations xiii
T
N Acknowledgements xv
E
Introduction 1
T
N The structure of the book 6
O
C
1 What are ethics? 9
Why do we need morality? 10
Why do journalists need professional ethics? 12
Classical theory 12
The language of morals 17
What is a right? Why do people have them? 17
Further reading and support material 21
2 News: towards a definition 23
Practical problems 24
What do other people think is news? 25
News and ethics 35
Further reading and support material 37
3 Morality of reporting 39
Press freedom 40
Democracy and civil rights 41
Positive and negative rights 42
Democracy and free speech 42

Freedom of the press as a development of human rights 44
Morality and a free press 46
Freedom to publish 47
Why the media are in business 47
Morality and society 48
Morality and commerce 49
Morality and the consumer 49
Limiting what information journalists can gather 52
Limiting how journalists gather information 53
Limiting what information journalists can publish 53
Guaranteeing the quality of information published 54
CCOONNTTEENNTTSS
4 The good journalist 59
What is a good journalist? 60
Journalistic duty 62
Separation of publishing, broadcasting and journalism 66
5 Truth, accuracy, objectivity and trust 67
Morality and truth 68
Truth and accuracy 70
Truth and objectivity 73
Truth and impartiality 76
Balance and impartiality 79
Sensationalism 80
Media scares 83
Policing the truth 84
Impartiality and bias in broadcasting 87
6 Privacy and intrusion 89
What is privacy? 90
The language of privacy 102
What would a privacy law look like? 105
Intrusion and harassment 107
Case studies 110
Further reading and support material 115

7 Reputation 117
Protection of personal honour 118
Reputation under the law 119
The cost of libel 121
Rehabilitation 123
Malice and the democratic function 124
Presumption of innocence 124
Irish Defamation Act 126
Further reading and support material 126
8 Gathering the news 127
Straightforward means 128
Misrepresentation 129
ix