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Journalism ethics in the UK: the codes every journalist should know

UK journalism is guided by several codes: the IPSO Editors’ Code of Practice for publications regulated by IPSO, the Impress Standards Code for Impress members, the Ofcom Broadcasting Code for broadcasters, and the NUJ Code of Conduct, which has set out principles of UK and Irish journalism since 1936. They share core values: accuracy, privacy, no harassment, protection of children and sources.

Whether you work for a newspaper, run a blog or produce a podcast, these codes are the benchmark for responsible journalism – and they are what press officers and organisers expect from anyone carrying a press card.

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At a glance

Press (IPSO): Editors’ Code of Practice, 16 clauses
Press (Impress): Standards Code, 10 principles
Broadcast: Ofcom Broadcasting Code
Union: NUJ Code of Conduct (since 1936)
Data: DPA 2018 journalism exemption – public interest test

The IPSO Editors’ Code of Practice

The Editors’ Code applies to newspapers, magazines and websites regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation. Its 16 clauses cover accuracy, privacy, harassment, intrusion into grief or shock, reporting suicide, children, children in sex cases, hospitals, reporting of crime, clandestine devices and subterfuge, victims of sexual assault, discrimination, financial journalism, confidential sources, witness payments in criminal trials and payment to criminals. Several clauses allow exceptions where there is a demonstrable public interest.

Impress and Ofcom

Impress Standards Code

Impress regulates a range of mainly independent and digital publishers. Its Standards Code has ten principles: accuracy, attribution and plagiarism, children, discrimination, harassment, justice, privacy, sources, self-harm and suicide, and transparency – including disclosure of conflicts of interest and of AI use. It applies to print, websites and social media.

Ofcom Broadcasting Code

Television and radio broadcasters licensed by Ofcom must follow the Broadcasting Code, which covers areas such as due impartiality and due accuracy in news, fairness and privacy. Broadcast journalists should know its rules on consent, secret filming and fair treatment of contributors.

The NUJ Code of Conduct

The NUJ’s Code of Conduct has set out the main principles of UK and Irish journalism since 1936 and is part of the union’s rules. Its purpose is to advise members and other journalists on how to work ethically, and journalists have used it to challenge unethical instructions. Even if you are not an NUJ member, it is a useful reference for freelancers and independent journalists who are not covered by a regulator.

Data protection and the journalism exemption

Journalists process personal data all the time. Schedule 2, Part 5 of the Data Protection Act 2018 provides an exemption for the “special purposes”, including journalism, but only where the controller reasonably believes that publication would be in the public interest and that compliance with the relevant provisions would be incompatible with journalism. The Act refers to codes such as the Editors’ Code and the Ofcom Broadcasting Code when assessing this. Keep notes of your public interest reasoning, especially for sensitive stories.

Ethics in everyday practice

Check facts and correct errors promptly
Identify yourself and your outlet when asked
Give people a fair chance to respond to allegations
Protect confidential sources

Take special care with children, grief and suicide
Declare conflicts of interest and sponsored content
Do not use subterfuge unless clearly justified by the public interest
Never misuse a press card for private advantage

Ethics and your press card

A press card signals that you work to journalistic standards. That is why we ask every FJA card holder to follow recognised codes such as those above and our usage guidelines. Press officers and organisers judge all card holders by the behaviour of a few – professional conduct protects everyone’s access. See also journalists at protests and press card and the police.

Everyday dilemmas – and questions to ask yourself

Codes give principles. Real situations need judgement. These examples show how to think them through.

Situation	Questions to ask
A grieving family member is approached for a quote after an accident	Is the approach made with sympathy and discretion? Have they already asked not to be contacted? Is there a less intrusive source?
A source offers documents that may have been obtained unlawfully	Is the information genuinely in the public interest? Can it be verified independently? What risk does publication pose to the source and to others named?
A company offers a free trip in return for coverage	Will readers be told? Is the editorial decision still independent? Would you cover the story without the trip?
A social media post by a private person goes viral	Is the person newsworthy, or just unlucky? Would naming them cause disproportionate harm? Can the story be told without identifying them?
You made a factual error in a published piece	How quickly can it be corrected, and with what prominence? Who needs to be told?

When in doubt, discuss the case with an editor or experienced colleague before you publish.

Habits that keep you on the right side

Most ethical problems are avoided long before publication.

Document your decisions

Note why you published a name, a picture or a sensitive detail. If a complaint comes in, a record of your reasoning at the time is invaluable.

Give a right of reply

Contact people you criticise or make allegations about, give them reasonable time to respond and reflect their answer fairly.

Correct openly

Fix mistakes promptly and transparently. A clear correction builds more trust than a quiet edit.

Frequently asked questions

Which ethics code applies to UK journalists?

It depends on your outlet: IPSO’s Editors’ Code for IPSO-regulated publications, the Impress Standards Code for Impress members, and the Ofcom Broadcasting Code for licensed broadcasters. The NUJ Code applies to NUJ members and is a guide for others.

Do bloggers have to follow the Editors

Only if they are regulated by IPSO. Many independent journalists voluntarily follow a recognised code to build trust.

How many clauses does the Editors

Sixteen, from accuracy to payment to criminals.

What is the public interest?

Codes define it in different ways; it typically includes detecting crime, protecting public health and safety and preventing the public from being misled. The Editors’ Code includes a public interest section.

Is there a journalism exemption in data protection law?

Yes, in Schedule 2, Part 5 of the Data Protection Act 2018, subject to a reasonable belief that publication is in the public interest.

Do FJA card holders have to follow a code?

We ask all holders to follow recognised standards and our usage guidelines.

Which code applies to me as a freelancer?

It depends on the outlet. If the publisher is regulated by IPSO or Impress, their code applies to the work they publish, including yours. Broadcast content falls under the Ofcom Broadcasting Code. NUJ members also commit to the NUJ Code of Conduct.

Who regulates the press in the UK?

Most newspapers and magazines are members of IPSO, a smaller group of independent publishers belongs to Impress, and broadcasters are regulated by Ofcom. Membership of a press regulator is voluntary. Our guide to press regulation in the UK explains the system in detail.

Sources and last review

Last reviewed: October 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice.