News In Focus
7 February 2012
Report backs press regulation
The UK press must adopt a new ethical and editorial code for all journalists, if it is to move out from the shadow of the hacking scandal, according to a new report from the Carnegie UK Trust. The report, written by broadcaster and media analyst Blair Jenkins, says an industry-wide code would give much clearer guidance and set high standards for journalists in newspapers, broadcasting and online news services.
Jenkins also argues a new regulatory framework for the press is needed, that is independent of both government and the newspaper industry. The system should be voluntary, but with very strong incentives for joining. Only participating news outlets would obtain the benefits of press accreditation and recognition, the arrangements which give journalists privileged access and facilities at important places and events.
But the report also stresses that stronger or smarter regulation is only one of a number of levers needed to secure better journalism.
“The work of regulation is largely that of eliminating various forms of bad behaviour, whereas the public interest also requires positive actions in support of good journalism. Tougher regulation on its own is not enough,” it says.
Other recommendations include:
- The maintenance or strengthening of public service broadcasting to ensure that not all news ventures are commercially driven
- Civil society organisations offering help to fund new initiatives to ensure greater quality and diversity of news sources
- A renewed emphasis in journalism education and training on professional ethics, including a clear commitment to understanding and upholding the public interest
- Extending the availability and take-up of high-speed broadband to enable universal access to a wide range of digital news
- Industry regulators, universities, civil society organisations and the news media should encourage more public debate around media ethics and behaviour.
“Journalism is based on trust and integrity and that needs to be reflected in a new industry-wide code of conduct,” says Jenkins. “It should be inspiring and authentic for all journalists, but also sufficiently clear and reassuring for the public who depend upon those journalists for reliable news and information.
“The independent regulatory system proposed for the press would strike a new balance. You only get the many benefits of being a serious news operation if you also live up to the obligations. If you want the accreditation that gets you special access to the big stories, you have to sign up to decent and reasonable standards.”