Memorandum submitted by the National Council
for the Training of Journalists
I write at the request of Professor Pinker of
the Press Complaints Commission.
Despite many attempts to regulate the media
by legislation, these have always met with fierce opposition from
the print industry and renewed efforts at self-regulation.
By and large the system has been effective,
with notable exceptions, but the "right to publish"
has been a long-held principle of "Press Freedom".
The PCC, in its investigation of a range of
complaints including invasion of privacy, inaccurate reporting
and cheque-book journalism, is generally regarded by the public
as its "watchdog" and consequently a check on public
outrage and censor when acceptable conduct is breached.
If the PCC has become increasingly critical
when standards fail, it has also become a vehicle through which
a degree of media accountability prevails.
Whilst it lacks "teeth", and can only
uphold or reject complaints, editors, in publishing its findings,
draw to public attention the constant struggle for truth and decency.
In this respect, in particular, the PCC and
the Press (printed media) strive "to name offenders"
and thereby provide unwelcome publicity when standards fall short
of public expectations.
The NCTJ, in its training of journalists, has
for 10 years, since the last Select Committee report in March
1993, included in its teaching syllabus the role of the PCC.
This is an essential Element of Competence,
and students and trainees are required to demonstrate the ability
to establish and maintain professional relations with the public.
This includes an awareness of the principles
of the Press Complaints Commission and of the Code of Practice
of the PCC, as well as other organisations.
Further performance criteria include a responsible
and objective approach in writing about crime and its effect on
victims, and a responsible and objective manner in dealing with
racial matters, ethnic minorities and disabled people.
Knowledge of the Code is now mandatory on all
journalism courses.
This is also enhanced by members of the PCC
lecturing to students and also being interviewed by them.
In fact, several thousand journalists who have
been trained in the past decade represent a generation which has
grown-up with the code, some influenced by it on a daily basis
in their offices.
There can be no doubt that such awareness has
helped improve journalistic standards and led to a reduction of
complaints.
Among those ruled upon in recent months have
been many "high profile" complaints attracting widespread
publicity.
The public has seen its "watchdog"
in action, and whether the complaints are upheld or rejected,
the PCC has put the public interest above all other.
It is, of course, an ideal it shares with most
journalists.
Annex
Letter, dated 23 January, from the Chairman
of NCTJ to Professor Pinker, PCC
I am writing in reply to your letter to Sally
Mellis dated 10 January. You will be aware Sally is currently
on sick leave, so I am happy to write to the Culture, Media and
Sport Select Committee on the links between trainees and the Press
Complaints Commission. I enclose a copy for your information.
I understand its inquiry will be studying the
effectiveness of the service currently offered by the PCC to members
of the public.
That, of course, is rather outside of the NCTJ's
relationship, but I hope my letter will underline the growing
involvement of young journalists from the very start of their
training to report responsibly, accurately and sensitively in
accordance with your Commission's guidelines.
In that respect the PCC has routinely been able
to help improve the standards of journalism and thereby public
perception.
23 January 2003
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