DNTV Digital’s Principles of Ethical Conduct for Newsrooms includes concepts and language developed by the Society of Professional Journalists. These principles are designed to guide journalists working with any news platform, including newspapers, websites, mobile devices, video, social media channels and live story events.

It is important to us that we get things right. Our commitment to high standards is embodied in our company Code of Conduct, which is set out in full below. This Code applies to all members of our editorial staff, as well as freelancers who work for us, and our business partners.

In the event that we get something wrong, we would like to know about it. As such, for any feedback or complaints about editorial material or about the conduct of our journalists in the course of their work please contact our editorial management team using the link below. If you have any queries about the complaints process please email the office of the managing editor by email at editorial@dntv.com.

Before making your complaint it may help to read the answers to some frequently asked questions, as they might deal with the matter you want to raise – please click here.
To lodge a complaint please complete the form available here. If you include any sensitive information in your complaint (e.g. about your health, sex life, ethnicity, political opinions, religious beliefs or criminal convictions), by clicking the ‘submit’ button you give your explicit consent for us to use that information in connection with investigating your complaint as set out in our Privacy Notice.

Introduction

The National Press Photographers Association, a professional society that promotes the highest standards in visual journalism, acknowledges concern for every person’s need both to be fully informed about public events and to be recognized as part of the world in which we live.

Visual journalists operate as trustees of the public. Our primary role is to report visually on the significant events and varied viewpoints in our common world. Our primary goal is the faithful and comprehensive depiction of the subject at hand. As visual journalists, we have the responsibility to document society and to preserve its history through images.

Photographic and video images can reveal great truths, expose wrongdoing and neglect, inspire hope and understanding and connect people around the globe through the language of visual understanding. Photographs can also cause great harm if they are callously intrusive or are manipulated.

This code is intended to promote the highest quality in all forms of visual journalism and to strengthen public confidence in the profession. It is also meant to serve as an educational tool both for those who practice and for those who appreciate photojournalism. To that end, The National Press Photographers Association sets forth the following.

A Code of Ethics

1. Visual journalists and those who manage visual news productions are accountable for upholding the following standards in their daily work:

2. Be accurate and comprehensive in the representation of subjects.

3. Resist being manipulated by staged photo opportunities.

4. Be complete and provide context when photographing or recording subjects. Avoid stereotyping individuals and groups. Recognize and work to avoid presenting one’s own biases in the work.

5. Treat all subjects with respect and dignity. Give special consideration to vulnerable subjects and compassion to victims of crime or tragedy. Intrude on private moments of grief only when the public has an overriding and justifiable need to see.

6. While photographing subjects do not intentionally contribute to, alter, or seek to alter or influence events.

7. Editing should maintain the integrity of the photographic images’ content and context. Do not manipulate images or add or alter sound in any way that can mislead viewers or misrepresent subjects.

8. Do not pay sources or subjects or reward them materially for information or participation.

9. Do not accept gifts, favors, or compensation from those who might seek to influence coverage.

10. Do not intentionally sabotage the efforts of other journalists.

11. Do not engage in harassing behavior of colleagues, subordinates or subjects and maintain the highest standards of behavior in all professional interactions.

B Ideally, visual journalists should:

1. Strive to ensure that the public’s business is conducted in public. Defend the rights of access for all journalists.

2. Think proactively, as a student of psychology, sociology, politics and art to develop a unique vision and presentation. Work with a voracious appetite for current events and contemporary visual media.

3. Strive for total and unrestricted access to subjects, recommend alternatives to shallow or rushed opportunities, seek a diversity of viewpoints, and work to show unpopular or unnoticed points of view.

4. Avoid political, civic and business involvements or other employment that compromise or give the appearance of compromising one’s own journalistic independence.

5. Strive to be unobtrusive and humble in dealing with subjects.

6. Respect the integrity of the photographic moment.

7. Strive by example and influence to maintain the spirit and high standards expressed in this code. When confronted with situations in which the proper action is not clear, seek the counsel of those who exhibit the highest standards of the profession. Visual journalists should continuously study their craft and the ethics that guide it.