THE code of practice that newspaper editors are expected to operate by has made it to the internet, just a few days after the authors’ latest call for suggested improvements.
Last week, allmediascotland.com reported what has become an annual invitation to make suggestions as to how the code could be improved.
The code is overseen by the Press Complaints Commission.
And now, the code has its own, dedicated website, downloadable as a 65-page book: The Editors’ Codebook – first published three years ago by the Newspaper Publishers Association, the Newspaper Society, the Periodical Publishers Association, the Scottish Daily Newspaper Society and the Scottish Newspaper Publishers Association.
Says code committee secretary, Ian Beales: “Our aim is to create greater access to the code and to the code committee’s work. Besides the online Codebook, the site also includes answers to frequently asked questions, guidance notes, press releases and a history of how the code has evolved since 1991.
“Putting the Codebook online makes particular sense because it can be updated regularly, enhancing it s value to editors, journalists – and to the public.
“We expect the website to continue to evolve. In fact, putting the Codebook online is only the first stage in the first major revision since it was published.
“While the content has been updated to take account of changes to the Code since 2004, later case histories have not yet been included. These will be introduced as part of a second stage revision next year. Our hope is that by making the book more user-friendly, it will become an even more essential tool in making self regulation work.”
Visitors to the site will be able to subscribe to receive code updates and other code Committee news by email, at no charge.
