CODE REVIEW

The Editors’ Code of Practice is to be reviewed in a public consultation.

The Editors’ Code of Practice Committee, which writes and revises the code of standards policed by the Independent Press Standards Organisation, has invited suggestions from the public, editors, journalists and others working in the media, and anyone else with an interest in journalistic standards, on how the Code might be revised to improve the system of self-regulation of the press, of which it is an essential component.

The Code was last revised in January 2016, reflecting the findings of the major review recommended by Lord Justice Leveson. The changes included a specific reference to headlines not supported by the text of the article beneath. Buckingham Palace used this new provision to bring a successful complaint against The Sun for a headline that read “Queen Backs Brexit”.

Other changes to the Code included the reporting of suicide, discrimination, complaints resolution and the public interest.

The closing date for submissions has now passed and the Editors’ Code of Practice Committee will consider the representations it has received.