PCC Rules

Have my products complied with the rules of the Press Complaints Commission:

Accuracy

When writing my articles I checked over the notes from the interviews I conducted: to make sure that I had not gotten any of the facts wrong. When the articles were finished I asked the interviewees if they could read the article, to make sure I had not written anything that could be considered libel. As I did a content research log I was able to track down all of my sources again when writing the articles to make sure that all of the statistics were correct. I did not directly comment on my imagery, therefore I could not leave any misleading comments about the images. I used quotation marks when using direct pieces of speech from my interviewees: therefore showing that they said it and it was not something I wrote.

Privacy

I did not take any pictures that I did not have consent from the people in them to take. Models signed a model release form and all of the people  None of the images were taken on private property – therefore I did not trespass.

Harassment

I didn’t peruse my interviewees or models once they asked to desist, as this code states. I didn’t follow up questions that any of my interviewees felt uncomfortable answering, and when writing my questions for the interview I avoided topics that were too personal anyway – to ensure I wasn’t harassing them.

Intrusion into shock & grief

 All of my interviewees were prepared for the interviews and all of them were in a stable for them. As I didn’t deal with any topics that could provoke this sort of emotional response I feel I have not broken this code. I also didn’t take pictures of anything that I did not have permission from the people in them to take. The pictures for the Romania article were the most risky images to take for this code, however I insured that all of the people in the photos consented the photos been taken.

Children

For the images in the Project Romania article children under the age of 16 were used in the photos. I had spoken consent from the parents, who were there when taking the photos, that it was acceptable to have photos of their children. I did not embark on their school life and did not take any photographs of children in school time.

Children in sex cases

I did not do any stories involving a sex case: and therefore could not break this rule in any way.

Hospitals

I did not go into any hospitals to speak to anyone or to take pictures: therefore I didn’t break this code.

Reporting of crime

I did not do any stories about crime, or report about any people involved in crime: therefore didn’t break this code.

Clandestine devices and subterfuge

I didn’t hide any cameras, or take any pictures without the people in them knowing about it. I didn’t listen in to any phone calls read any messages and e-mails at all.

Victims of sexual assault

I did not associate with anyone who was a victim of sexual assault, and did not write any stories about such topics.

Discrimination

When discussing the Roma community I was very careful to maintain a level opinion and not show any digression. Although I mentioned other people’s opinions on them, and how they are highly discriminated against. I made sure that this was said as someone else’s opinion – not as my own words.

Financial Journalism

I didn’t use any of my own finances when producing this magazine. I did not pay anybody for their services and therefore did not break this code.

Confidential Sources

I did not deal with any confidential topics.

Witness Payments in criminal trials/Payment to criminals

I did not cover any criminal trials, or speak to with criminals – and did not pay anyone in the making of this magazine.