Editorial Code of Conduct Professional Conduct Policy

Note: these policies and all the other policies that govern your employment are located on the HWT Intranet under “Policies”. You must regularly checkHerald the online and Weekly versions Times of Editorial this and Code the ofabove-mentioned Conduct policies for updates. The online version will always take precedence over a hardcopy. Professional Conduct Policy The policy of our publications across all platforms This policy applies to The Herald & Weekly Times Pty Limited and its editorial employees in both print and digital media platforms. It is an update of the News Limited Professional Conduct Policy which applies to editorial employees of Nationwide News Pty Ltd, The Herald and Weekly Times Pty Limited, Davies Bros Limited, Advertiser Newspapers Limited, Queensland Newspapers Limited and the regional and suburban newspaper and operations around Australia. News Limited group publications aim for the highest editorial and ethical standards. Editorial employees and contributors should be open-minded, be fair and respect the truth. To this end, all need to be familiar with the policy detailed in the following pages, to follow the rules they contain, and to apply their underlying principles.

Herald and Weekly Times Editorial Code of Conduct 2 1. Accuracy the Australian Press Council. Editors 1.1 Facts must be reported impartially, are expected to publish all Council accurately and with integrity. adjudications on complaints by the public in respect of their newspapers. 1.2 Clear distinction must be made between fact, conjecture and comment. 3. Misrepresentation 1.3 Try always to tell all sides of the 3.1 Do not use false names when story in any kind of dispute. representing a News Limited publication. 1.4 Do not knowingly withhold or 3.2 Do not try to get information or suppress essential facts. photographs by deception. 1.5 Journalists should not rely on only 4. Privacy one source. Be careful not to recycle 4.1 All individuals, including public an error from one reference source to figures, have a right to privacy. another. Check and check again. Journalists have no general right to report 1.6 Direct quotations should not be the private behaviour of public figures altered except to delete offensive unless public interest issues arise. language, protect against defamation, or The right to privacy diminishes when the to make minor changes for clarity. suitability of public figures to hold office 1.7 Reports of new drugs or medical or perform their duties is under scrutiny treatments must be considered with and such scrutiny is in the public interest. great caution. It is easy to raise false “Public interest” is defined for this and hopes or alarm among readers. Cross- other clauses as involving a matter check all claims with responsible and capable of affecting the people at large so neutral sources. they might be legitimately interested in, 1.8 Photographs may be enhanced to or concerned about, what is going on, or improve reproduction, but must not be what may happen to them or to others. altered in a way which could mislead 4.2 Unless it is in the public interest to do readers. Care must be taken to ensure so, do not identify the family or friends accuracy in captions. The editor must of people accused of, or convicted of, a approve any alteration or manipulation crime. of a digital photographic image, and 4.3 The publication of sensitive personal the alteration must be explained in the information — such as taxation details, caption before publication and archiving. Family Court records and health and 2. Mistakes welfare matters — may be prohibited by 2.1 Serious factual errors should be legislation. Seek legal advice. admitted and corrected at the first 5. Covert activities opportunity, subject to legal advice 5.1 Journalists and photographers may where appropriate. Individuals or at times have to operate surreptitiously organisations that have been criticised in to expose crime, significantly anti-social News group publications should be given conduct, public deception or some other a fair opportunity to respond. matter in the public interest. 2.2 No employee or contributor is All such operations must be approved allowed to commit the company to an in advance by the editor. This approval admission of error, correction, or apology will be given only where good cause without reference to the editor. Senior exists to suspect crime or deception has editorial staff and/or company lawyers taken place, and after all other means of must be consulted about the wording gathering the facts have been exhausted. of corrections and clarifications to determine their suitability and whether The editorial executive must be satisfied an “offer of amends” is an appropriate that the importance of publishing the response in settlement of a complaint. information sought outweighs any damage to trust and credibility which 2.3 News Limited supports self- your newspaper might suffer by allowing regulation in the newspaper industry employees to operate surreptitiously. and participates in the activities of

Herald and Weekly Times Editorial Code of Conduct 3 Where appropriate, the nature and No one should be put under pressure to reasons for operating covertly should be be photographed or interviewed. Initial disclosed to readers. approaches might best be made through 5.2 News Limited does not condone friends or relatives. illegal acts by employees. We should respect the wishes of the bereaved or grieving. 6. Confidential sources 9.2 Do not go into non-public areas 6.1 The sources of information must be of hospitals, welfare institutions, identified, wherever possible. funeral parlours, churches, etc, without When an informant insists on anonymity, identifying yourself or without verification of the information offered permission of the people affected or their must be sought from other, preferably intermediaries. attributable, sources. 9.3 Maintain sensitivity when recalling 6.2 A promise of confidentiality to a tragedy or crime. Anniversaries can be source must, of course, be honoured. distressing reminders for survivors. However, journalists must be aware of the possible consequences. 10. Children For example, a judge may order the 10.1 Extreme care should be taken that source to be identified. Defiance of children are not prompted in interviews, this order could lead to conviction for or offered inducements to cooperate. contempt of court, with the consequence 10.2 Do not identify children in crime of being imprisoned or being sanctioned and court reports without legal advice. with a heavy fine. 10.3 For legal reasons, children under 7. Harassment the age of 18 must not normally be photographed or interviewed about their 7.1 Do not harass or try to intimidate welfare unless a parent or guardian is people when seeking information or present and has given permission. photographs. Similarly, children must not be 7.2 Do not photograph people on their interviewed about their parents or property without their consent unless siblings unless a parent or other legally the public interest in doing so is clear. responsible adult is present and has 7.3 If asked to leave private property, do granted permission. so promptly. 10.4 Do not approach children in schools 7.4 Do not persist in telephoning, without the permission of a school pursuing, questioning, door-stopping or authority. obstructing access after you have been asked by an authorised person to stop. 11. Suicide 11.1 Do not reveal graphic details of 8. Discrimination a suspected suicide. Avoid making 8.1 Do not make pejorative reference to a judgments about the method of death person’s race, nationality, colour, religion, which might suggest suicide is an marital status, sex, sexual preferences, acceptable means of resolving problems, age, or physical or mental capacity. particularly among young people. No details of a person’s race, nationality, 11.2 Where possible, include in such colour, religion, marital status, sex, articles the contact number of support sexual preferences, age, or physical or groups where people with problems may mental incapacity should be included in a seek help. report unless they are relevant. 12. Illegal drugs 9. Grief and distress 12.1 Do not report recipes for drug 9.1 Reporters and photographers must manufacture details of distribution or always behave with sensitivity and descriptions of the use of other harmful courtesy toward the public, and in substances unless justified by public particular towards those involved in safety considerations or at the request of tragic events. authorities.

Herald and Weekly Times Editorial Code of Conduct 4 12.2 Do not suggest that illegal drug 16.2 Journalists must not write about use or the misuse of illegal drugs is an shares, securities or companies in which acceptable means of resolving problems. they, their family or friends, have a financial interest without disclosing that 13. Weapons and threats interest to the editor. 13.1 Do not report threats to use bombs 16.3 A declaration of interest must be or other weapons or threats of extortion made if journalists have traded or intend unless public safety justifies it, or when to trade, directly or indirectly, in shares the authorities request you to do so, or or securities about which they have when it is necessary to explain severe written recently or intend to write soon. and obvious public disruption caused by the authorities’ reaction to such a threat. 16.4 Journalists should not write about prospectuses prior to their lodgment 13.2 Do not report details of the without confirming that regulations of manufacture or methods of using the Australian Securities Commission are explosives, ammunition, firearms, not breached. fireworks, crossbows, booby traps or any potentially lethal device. 17. Plagiarism 14. Payment for information Plagiarism is theft. It will not be tolerated. 14.1 As a general principle, payment must 18. Interviews/Requests for not be made for interviews or information. information or documentation in third- In the event that a demand for payment party litigation or other form of reward or compensation 18.1 In general, News Limited expects is made, agreement must not be given employees and contributors to co-operate without the editor’s approval. with the authorities in investigations. 14.2 The same principle applies to However, requests by police or other payments to criminals and their families authorities for work-related interviews and associates, witnesses in criminal must be referred to the editor. Requests proceedings and their families and for information/assistance in legal associates. matters to which News Ltd is not a party should be referred for legal advice. 15. Personal gain Generally assistance should not be 15.1 Employees must not request provided in the absence of a court order. or accept any money, travel, goods, 18.2 No employee of News Limited discounts, entertainment or inducements should speak in that capacity to another of any kind outside the normal scope of media organisation or at a public event business hospitality. without permission of the editor. 15.2 Bribes are to be rejected promptly 19. Advertising and the editor informed immediately. 19.1 Editorial material created as a 15.3 Only the editor or a nominee is condition of placing an advertisement authorised to accept offers of free or (i.e. for favourable consideration) discounted travel, accommodation etc on must carry a clear label at the top of behalf of a publication. the page, or directly above an isolated 15.4 The editor has the absolute right item: “advertisement”, “advertorial” or to decide whether to accept an offer, “advertising feature”. who should be assigned and whether 19.2 Where possible, news stories which a report is published as a consequence. inadvertently relate to an advertisement These conditions must be made clear to should not be carried on the same page. whoever made the offer. 20. Conflict of interest 16. Financial reporting 20.1 A conflict of interest arises when 16.1 It is illegal for employees to make personal interests or divided loyalties personal gain from financial information interfere with the ability to make sound, received in advance of general objective business decisions on behalf publication. It is illegal to pass this of HWT. information to others.

Herald and Weekly Times Editorial Code of Conduct 5 Employees are generally free to engage situation where their objective judgment in personal financial and business or compliance with the law might be transactions subject to the following questioned. In particular: limitations: ■■Employees should not provide or ■■No employee, officer, director or accept gifts or hospitality unless it is their family should give or receive clearly appropriate in the context of improper benefits, such as kickbacks a reasonable business relationship; or bribes, as a result of their position ■■Employees should never solicit gifts at the company; or hospitality. ■■All employees have a duty to avoid Gifts or hospitality to or from government situations where their loyalties may or public officials is completely forbidden be divided between the company’s in many circumstances. You should interests and their own; contact HWT’s Legal Department if you ■■Employees should refrain from self- may be placed in a situation that involves dealing, such as steering company gifts or hospitality to or from government business to where they or their or public officials. families will benefit improperly; 20.6 Failure to notify the editor of any ■■Employees should even avoid the real or potential conflict of interest may appearance that such a conflict may result in dismissal. exist; 21. Standards of Business Conduct ■■Staff may join and participate in 21.1 News Corporation has in place any lawful political or community Standards of Business Conduct with organisations or activities but which employees must comply. These are must avoid any potential conflict of available on the Intranet. interest with their employment, and notify the editor if such a potential 22. Confidential Information exists; 22.1 We are all responsible for protecting ■■Employees should not conduct non- the company’s confidential information company business in such a manner and we cannot: as to mislead others into believing ■■Disclose that information to third that they are representing HWT. parties without proper authorisation 20.2 The editor must be made aware as to do so; soon as possible if a reporter is assigned ■■Use the information for personal to a story that presents a possible or real gain; or conflict of interest. ■■Use the information in any manner 20.3 Any employee wishing to perform that is inconsistent with the paid or unpaid work for a third party company’s interests. publication, radio or television outlet If an employee has any doubt about must refer to and comply with the whether certain information confidential Company Policy — External Media which or not do not disclose such information is available on the Intranet. without first discussing with General 20.4 Contributors must comply with Counsel. provisions relating to conflicts and must Confidential information may include declare any real or potential conflict of information or data about the company’s interest arising from material submitted planning, business strategy, projects, for publication and supervisors must existing or potential customers, do their utmost to ensure no conflict competitors or suppliers, financial exists. Any association which may have results or operations, major contracts, a bearing, or appear to have a bearing, on commencement of major litigation, a contributor’s view, must be identified confidential personnel information and with the published material. anything else which is not in the public 20.5 Employees should never allow domain. These prohibitions extend gifts or hospitality to place them in a to the confidential information of the

Herald and Weekly Times Editorial Code of Conduct 6 company’s suppliers, customers and third publish advice to readers on how to parties with whom the company does lodge a complaint about the conduct of business. an editorial employee or the content of a Improper disclosure or use could destroy story. the value of such information to the 25.2 A “help line” should be established company and substantially weaken and publicised to enable readers to lodge the company’s competitive position. complaints to the publication. Such Access to confidential information must complaints should be reported to relevant be limited to authorised persons with a managers and supervisors as soon as need to know that particular information. possible. Responses to complaints by 22.2 Respect the confidences and an authorised officer of the company sensitivities of your colleagues at all should be timely, subject to any legal times. considerations. 25.3 Complaints involving alleged 23. Social Media and External Media Policies breaches of this policy will be investigated by the managing editor 23.1 Social media tools such as Twitter of the newspaper concerned, or by an and Facebook are an increasingly executive of equivalent status. important way for us to communicate with our readers in an interactive and 25.4 Proven breaches will be dealt personal way. with in accordance with the company’s disciplinary procedures. It is crucial, however, that when someone identifies themselves as a company employee, discusses their work or solicits information for a story, they behave in a way that is consistent with our company values. Each employee must comply with the Social Media and the External Media Policies both found on the intranet. 24. Other Obligations 24.1 Do not bring the reputation of the company, your newspaper or colleagues into disrepute. 24.2 Familiarise yourself with the company policies regarding employees. These are all available on the Intranet. Please regularly check the online versions of this and the above mentioned policies for updates. The online version will always take precedent over a hardcopy. 24.3 All employees are required to be neat and dressed appropriately for their particular job. We do not spell out strict guidelines, because dress may be a matter of cultural and religious influence as well as individual taste. We do expect, however, that staff will be groomed in a way which does not offend fellow employees, visitors to the office or any member of the public with whom they deal. 25. Breaches of policy 25.1 Group publications must regularly

Herald and Weekly Times Editorial Code of Conduct 7 Herald and Weekly Times Editorial Code of Conduct Professional Conduct Policy 2011