The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland has today launched its Code of Fairness in News and Current Affairs.
This follows a draft form of the code in February of last year.
The draft proposed that presenters, such as Anton Savage (above), who is a director of the Communications Clinic and a presenter on Today FM, be required to declare conflicts of interest.
Today’s code shows this requirement has been dropped.
Why?
The BAI explains:
“Conflicts of Interest: The proposal contained in the draft code, which would have required each broadcaster to maintain a public register of interest – in which personnel with an editorial role in news / current affairs would be required to enter details of financial / commercial relationships that might be perceived as representing a material influence on them – is not being proceeded with. This decision has been taken in the light of concerns raised in the consultation process which were discussed with the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner and were subject to legal review. The matter of possible legislative change to enable the future establishment of a public register of interest will be pursued with the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.
The final code includes a more general rule for the management of conflicts of interest, incorporating a general principle of avoiding conflicts of interest. In instances where conflicts of interest arise, there will be a duty that relevant individuals and the public are made aware of such conflicts, as appropriate. Broadcasters will be required to determine whether the interest concerned is of such extent as would warrant the withdrawal of any person from further involvement in the programme or item.”
BAI launches Code of Fairness in News and Current Affairs (BAI)
(TV3)
