The Code, first drawn up in 1936, sets out the basic principles of responsible independent journalism and has been the model for numerous other journalists’ codes. All members agree to uphold its terms when they join the union.

The code includes a “conscience clause” which states that journalist have a right to refuse work that would break the letter or spirit of the code. “The NUJ will fully support any journalist disciplined for asserting her/his right to act according to the code.”

Details of current members of the Ethics Council are available here. The Ethics Council can enforce the code through ruling on complaints about members’ conduct, but its approach is less disciplinary than educational.

Whenever possible the council prefers to resolve complaints by conciliation and discussion. Its general approach is to encourage the good rather than punish the bad. It can work with NUJ chapels where there may be problems to help members appreciate the issues and resist repetition. It can also investigate issues of concern where no specific breach of the code is found to have taken place.

The disciplinary process is internal: the council cannot receive complaints against journalists who are not members of the NUJ, since the code cannot bind non-members. And it cannot receive complaints from non-members either: the NUJ does not have the administrative machinery to handle a potentially large volume of complaints from the public. But union members can lay complaints on behalf of members of the public if they believe a colleague’s work has fallen below the standards expected of them.

The NUJ also works with organisations such as the Campaign for Press and Broadcasting Freedom and the International Federation of Journalists to campaign for ethical journalism.

 

The Ethics Hotline

The Ethics Council has a hotline that members can ring to seek advice on an issue of ethical concern. This is staffed by council members. It is not there to preach, but to discuss issues of professional standards between colleagues. It allows members to seek a second opinion from an experienced, knowledgeable member. The number is:

0845 450 0864

Members can also email ethics@nuj.org.uk