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Watchdog warns editors on people accused of crime

Editors are being warned to stick to their agreed Code of Practice when reporting on people accused of crime.

The Press Complaints Commission has published a new guidance note on the reporting of people accused of crime.

The note brings together the numerous issues that can arise for journalists when people are arrested or are otherwise accused of having committed a criminal offence. It applies when allegations might originate from a third party, police sources or through a formal police procedure such as an arrest.

It covers importance of Clauses 1 (Accuracy) and 3 (Privacy) of the Code when reporting on such cases.

On accuracy, the note warns: “Given that there will be occasions where allegations turn out to be ill-founded, particular care must be taken to ensure that they are presented accurately and that conjecture is distinguished from fact.”

It conceded there might be times when it was difficult to substantiate allegations made by third parties, but which ought to be reported in the public interest if they were true.

And it added: “If editors wish to publish material in these circumstances, they should give serious consideration to doing so without identifying the accused as a way of meeting the requirements of Clause 1 of the Code.”

On privacy, editors must bear in mind that the Code gives everyone – including those accused or convicted of crime – the right to respect for his or her private life, home, health and correspondence.

The guidance note says: “Editors should not rely on the fact that someone has been accused of a criminal offence as justification for publishing material that would otherwise be held to be intrusive, unless the material ought to be published in the public interest or is in some way relevant.”

Clause 4 entitles individuals to protection from harassment, and if asked to, journalists must stop telephoning, questioning, pursuing or photographing individuals unless the public interest is served by ignoring the request.

The briefing also covers sex cases and a reminder that identification of the accused should not lead to identification of the victim.

Innocent relatives are also protected.

The update said: “Innocent relatives of people who have been accused of crime have special protection under the Code.

“They should not be identified – unless it is in the public interest or the relationship is in the public domain – without their consent.”

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