02 Ethical Journalism


Te NUJ’s Ethics Council considers responsible journalism when reporting on issues impacting vulnerable individuals and groups


T Ethical Journalism


ragedy makes news but dealing sympathetically with the victims or their families, all vulnerable in different


ways, is a tough job and was the main discussion point at a recent NUJ ethics online seminar. Te seminar heard from


several expert speakers on issues concerning vulnerable people in the news such as survivors of domestic abuse, those affected by suicide, the families of prisoners and the families of murdered children. Ethics Council chair Chris Frost introduced the seminar, reminding


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Te NUJ’s code of conduct sets the benchmark for the profession’s standards. Te NUJ stands for responsible reporting and ethical behaviour across the media and public relations. It argues for press plurality, journalists’ rights and supports public interest and investigative journalism. Democracy, whether at a local or international level, depends on a media that is trusted and properly resourced – and a union which fights for it.


Are you keeping good company? Join the NUJ today at


nuj.org.uk/join Stone www.nuj.org.uk


members of the union’s code of conduct and its requirement to produce accurate copy without intruding into people’s private lives unless justified by overriding considerations of the public interest. Scotish organiser Nick McGowan-


Lowe updated members on proposals at the Scotish Parliament to bring


in automatic anonymity for child victims of homicide in Scotland. Tis is an issue that would affect all UK media and make the reporting of many recent atrocities, such as the death of three young children in Southport, very difficult. Former Ethics Council vice chair


and ex-director of Media Wise Mike Jempson discussed issues surrounding the reporting of suicides - explaining suicide is never a simple story with one obvious trigger point – and some of the research about copycat suicides. Liverpool John Moores University head of journalism Fran Yeoman (a former assistant editor at the i,) talked about her research on court reporting and its impact on prisoners’ families, including children. She said many children face bullying at school when a parent is jailed for


criminal offences and outlined difficulties faced by court reporters trying to report accurately whilst trying to be fair to all involved. Domestic abuse campaigner and


survivor David Challen explained the difficulties faced by survivors when their abuser reaches trial. Te defence tries to find all the evidence they can that the abuser is a “good guy”, relying on a public persona that belies the private hell faced by survivors. Tis gives court reporters the problem of ensuring a balanced report, but one that oſten leaves those who were victims of the abuser with a real feeling of anger. Members then discussed the issues, making it clear that suggestions that journalists don’t care about the feelings of those they are reporting about are very wide of the mark. Several pointed to the problem of fewer staff journalists under more pressure to get more exciting stories. Others expressed concern about the influence of social media - with its range of misinformation, assumptions and ill-researched stories. Te next webinar, held jointly with the Equality Council, is on December 9 and concerns reporting disability.


Dates for future webinars in the New Year will be announced soon. Monitor the NUJ’s events page for details www.nuj.org.uk/events


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