Should journalists be required to identify themselves when gathering information online? UK press regulator IMPRESS proposes a new code to help the news keep pace with the digital era
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UK press regulator IMPRESS is proposing changes to improve standards in British journalism — and wants the public's say on the plans.
IMPRESS regulates around 190 UK publications who are signed up as members. These members are bound by the IMPRESS Standards Code, so that individuals or representative groups can complain to IMPRESS about the output of its regulated members. In the case of a complaint, IMPRESS adjudicates if there has been a breach or not, and offers a free arbitration scheme to settle these disputes outside of court.
Now, the code is being updated to ensure that it keeps up with the emerging challenges in the digital era. That includes issues like verifying the authenticity of sources and information, and using content from social media.
Planned changes to the code include matters to do with accuracy in reporting, treatment of minors, discrimination, harassment, justice, privacy, self-harm and suicide, and transparency.
Significantly, the code proposes changing the defined age of a child, from under the age of 16 to under the age of 18 (to be consistent with UK law). It raises some big questions on how best publishers should label different types of editorial content (such as opinion pieces versus AI-generated work). It also suggests a new 'right to be forgotten' or 'right to anonymity' on request for anyone over the age of 18.
These are complex topics and IMPRESS has invited input from the public and its members. You can check out the new code consultation paper and the steps to respond to the paper. Public consultation lasts for six weeks until 8 April 2022.
Following the end of the consultation window, the IMPRESS Code Committee will work to finalise a new IMPRESS Standards Code, to be published later in 2022.
