The Edi ' - The Leveson Inquiry

o
For Distribution to CPs
I t is notable that even in a world of increasing corporate
II accountability, the Clause 13 rules on financial reporting have
remained unchanged since 1991. They have stood the test of time
wall and been recognised by the Government and European Union
as an acceptable Code within the field of financial services
regulation.
They have survived one major test, when the PCC launched its
own investigation into the =Mirrongata" scandal, where two business
journalists had been tipping shares that they had previously bought
-- in clear contravention of the rules.
The journalists concerned were dismissed, as their contracts of
emp!oyment required them to comply with the Code. The Editor,
The obligation on journalists to protect their confidential
|sources is deeply ingrained in the culture of British
journalism. Perhaps for that reason, this clause, one of the
shortest in the Code, rarely attracts con" plaints.
The PCC usue!ly considers cases of alleged breach of
agreements of confidentiality only when another Code issue
s revolved. However, the Commission has issued specific
guidance concerning confidential sources
The clause should not be interpreted as preventing the
publication of confidential information.
of personal involvement in the scanda was found
breaching the Code by not enforcing it rigorously and had
to publish a damning 4,000-word adjudication across pages 6-7 of
journalists as a shield to defend inaccurate reporting
Wherever aossible efforts should be made to obtain
on-the-record corroboration of a story from Jnnamed
SOUrCes
tf a complaint hinged on material from an unnamed source,
the PCC would expect the newspaper either to 3reduce
corroborative material to substantiate the allegations -- or
to demonstrate that the complainant had e suitable
opportunity to comment on then"
There would be a particular reseonsibiNty on editors to give
a reasoname opportunity oi reply to complainants who felt
they were vict=m of allegations from an unnamed source.
Blowing cover: On the rare occasions that complaints arise,
they are unlikely to be deliberate, but due to carelessness or
inexperience. However, that is no excuse under the Code.
An ex-emp~oyee of the Governmenrs Rural Payments
Journalists should take special care when dealing with Agency complained that an e-mail that she had sent to an
members of the public unversed in media matters who may evening newspaper, critlcising her former bosses, was
not appreciate that at the start of a conversation they forwarded to the RPA for comment. She had asked for
should make clear that it is non-attributable,
anonymity, but her details were not deleted.
A journalist who induces a member of the public to talk off The paper apologised, explaining that it was a mistake by
the record, and then publishes the remarks on the record a trainee, who had been disciplined.
could be in breach under the Code.
The PCC ruled that this was a serious and thoughtless
The obligation of confidence should not be used by error that could not pass withoutcensure. The complaint was
The panel
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