Professional Codes of Practise: PCC

PCC stands for the Press Complaints Commission.
The PCC is an independent self-regulatory body that deals with complaints that audiences have from the content of newspapers and magazines (they also monitor their websites). They keep their standards high by training journalists and editors how they should write articles that won't affend anyone. They also work pro-actively behind the scenes of publications to prevent harassment and media intrusion, whilst providing pre-publication advice to journalists and the public.
There are 16 main rules that the PCC reinforces, these are: accuracy; the press have to take care not to print articles that are inaccurate and report fairly and also make sure they show a difference between fact and opinion. There must be an opportunity to apply to inaccuracies. They must respect privacy of people's family, home and health and it is unacceptaable to photograph people on private land. Journalists must not engage in intimidation or harassment. The press must give sympathy with asking questions concerning grief or shock, and when regarding suicide, they must try to avoid the method used. Young people are free to complete school without intrusion or not interviewed without the schools or parents permission. The press must not identify children under 16 in sex cases. Relatives or friends of criminals should not be identified unless having consent (unless relevant to the story). The press should not publish material captured by hidden cameras and intercepting mobile phone calls. The press must not identify victims of sexual assault or publish material that will lead to identification. The press must not discriminate (race, religion, sex, disability). Journalists have a moral obligation to protect confidential sources of information. There should be no payment to witness' or criminals. In the way of witness', they can be paid when the trial is finished.