The PCC Code of Practice

The 16 headings of the PCC Code of Practice are as follows:

1. Accuracy
2. Opportunity to reply
3. Privacy
4. Harassment
5. Intrusion into grief or shock
6. Children
7. Children in sex cases
8. Hospitals
9. Reporting of crime
10. Clandestine devices and subterfuge
11. Victims of sexual assult
12. Discrimination
13. Financial journalism
14. Confidential sources
15. Witness payments in criminal trials
16. Payment to criminals

Exceptions due to public interest include

• Detecting or exposing crime or serious impropriety
• Protecting public health and safety
• Preventing the public from being misled by an action or statement of an individual organisation

Freedom of expression is also a public interest and must be taken into account
Whenever the public interest is invoked the PCC will ask editors to demonstrate fully how the public interest was served
The PCC will also consider the extent to which the material is already in the public domain or will become so
In cases involving children under 16 editors must prove exceptional public interest for it to override the interest of the child