MEAA Journalist Code of Ethics

MEAA initiated Australian media self-regulation in 1944 when it created the MEAA Journalist Code of Ethics. 

Under MEAA’s rules, registered with the Fair Work Commission, MEAA’s Journalist Code of Ethics only applies to MEAA Media’s journalist members.

MEAA can undertake no action or investigation that involves individuals who are not MEAA members.

MEAA cannot investigate media outlets, publications, programs or social media posts. Complaints about non-MEAA members or media outlets should be made directly with the media organisation and/or the relevant media industry body:
 

• Print and digital media. The Australian Press Council has guidelines and standards for print and digital media outlets. The constituent bodies of the Australian Press Council and their publications can be viewed here.
   

• Broadcasting. Several industry bodies also operate a complaints process: Free TV Australia; Commercial Radio Australia; the ABC and SBS; the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia and Australian Community Television Alliance. The government regulator, the Australian Communications and Media Authority, offers a mechanism for complaints about broadcasting.
   

Download a .pdf step-by-step guide to How MEAA’s Journalist Code of Ethics complaints process works here. 

You can download a .pdf of the MEAA Journalist Code of Ethics by clicking here and a poster version here. 
 

MEAA Guidelines on Reporting Hate Speech and Extremism
MEAA is concerned at the rise of hate speech in Australia. Racist attitudes and hate speech pose a threat to democracy, a free media and racial equality. MEAA’s Guidelines on Reporting Hate Speech and Extremism are an editorial tool to assist journalists as they carry out their duties. See the tab below or download a .pdf of the Guidelines here.


 

MEAA Journalist Code of Ethics

Respect for truth and the public’s right to information are fundamental principles of journalism. Journalists search, disclose, record, question, entertain, comment and remember. They inform citizens and animate democracy. They scrutinise power, but also exercise it, and should be responsible and accountable.
 

MEAA members engaged in journalism commit themselves to:

Honesty 
Fairness 
Independence 
Respect for the rights of others
 

Journalists will educate themselves about ethics and apply the following standards:

1. Report and interpret honestly, striving for accuracy, fairness and disclosure of all essential facts. Do not suppress relevant available facts, or give distorting emphasis. Do your utmost to give a fair opportunity for reply.

2. Do not place unnecessary emphasis on personal characteristics, including race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, age, sexual orientation, family relationships, religious belief, or physical or intellectual disability.

3. Aim to attribute information to its source. Where a source seeks anonymity, do not agree without first considering the source’s motives and any alternative attributable source. Where confidences are accepted, respect them in all circumstances.

4. Do not allow personal interest, or any belief, commitment, payment, gift or benefit, to undermine your accuracy, fairness or independence.

5. Disclose conflicts of interest that affect, or could be seen to affect, the accuracy, fairness or independence of your journalism. Do not improperly use a journalistic position for personal gain.

6. Do not allow advertising or other commercial considerations to undermine accuracy, fairness or independence.

7. Do your utmost to ensure disclosure of any direct or indirect payment made for interviews, pictures, information or stories.

8. Use fair, responsible and honest means to obtain material. Identify yourself and your employer before obtaining any interview for publication or broadcast. Never exploit a person’s vulnerability or ignorance of media practice.

9. Present pictures and sound which are true and accurate. Any manipulation likely to mislead should be disclosed.

10. Do not plagiarise.

11. Respect private grief and personal privacy. Journalists have the right to resist compulsion to intrude.

12. Do your utmost to achieve fair correction of errors.
     

Guidance Clause: Basic values often need interpretation and sometimes come into conflict. Ethical journalism requires conscientious decision-making in context. Only substantial advancement of the public interest or risk of substantial harm to people allows any standard to be overridden.