Tuesday 30 October 2007

Guest Speaker-Sue Roberts

Sue Roberts from The Press Complaints Commission office in London came to speak to us about her role and a little about what the 'Editors Code of Practice' was about.

You can go online and explore the wonderful facts that Sue explained to us at www.pcc.org.uk. The website gives you information about the PCC. They deal with complaints from the members of the public, mostly about the contents of the recently edited newspapers and magazines. In 2006, the PCC recieved around 3325 complaints in 2006. Sue gave us information on how the services were quick and easy to use, and most importantly, free. The PCC try and deal with the complaints within 35 working days.
Sue gave us a handout which informed us on the codes of practice. There are 16 regulations to look at and take into consideration. The PCC is an independant company, it's also re-active, it's available on the internet and it deals with newspapers and magazines. The code of practice is now in every journalists' contract, to stick by. They regulate itself, there was a freedom of expression, but up until the 1950's when a body press code was formed and it was not respected. Now there is a loss in the freedom of expression.
The codes of practice is reviewed every year, the last review was completed August 1st 2007 and it has to be completed within all fairness.
To understand what the practicallities are, to be able to 'press' the editor on, so therefore meaning to make sure it's the correct writing and also there is a crossover of great support.
Every complaint is investigated under the editors' Code of Practice, this therefore connects all the national and regional newspapers and magazines together. The Code of Practice is actually formed by the editors, it covers how the news is brought together and how it is reported.

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