Editorial rules on seeking comment before publication

• Ofcom

  Jurisdiction

  United Kingdom

  Code or rule

  Broadcasting Code, Practice 7.11 (section last updated 16 March 2023) ¹

  Rule on seeking comment

  Where a programme alleges wrongdoing, incompetence or other significant allegations, those concerned should normally get an appropriate and timely opportunity to respond ¹

• Ofcom

  Jurisdiction

  United Kingdom

  Code or rule

  Broadcasting Code, Practices 7.12 and 7.13 ¹

  Rule on seeking comment

  If a person chooses to make no comment or refuses to appear, the broadcast should make that clear and give their explanation where it would be unfair not to. Non-participants' views must be represented fairly ¹

• Society of Professional Journalists

  Jurisdiction

  United States

  Code or rule

  SPJ Code of Ethics (revised 4 October 2026) ²

  Rule on seeking comment

  Without exception, diligently provide fair opportunity for subjects of news coverage to respond to criticism or allegations of wrongdoing ²

• Australian Broadcasting Corporation

  Jurisdiction

  Australia

  Code or rule

  Editorial standard 5.3 and guidance note Fair opportunity to respond (last modified 26 May 2025) ³

  Rule on seeking comment

  Reasonable efforts to give a fair opportunity to respond, scaled to the seriousness of the allegation. Reasonable time, no set formula. Usually tell audiences that a response was sought ³

• Swiss Press Council

  Jurisdiction

  Switzerland

  Code or rule

  Directive 3.8, hearing on serious allegations ⁴

  Rule on seeking comment

  Before publication, tell the affected person precisely which criticisms will run and give adequate time. Present the response fairly in the same report. If they decline, say so ⁴

• Swiss Press Council

  Jurisdiction

  Switzerland

  Code or rule

  Directive 3.9, hearing exceptions ⁴

  Rule on seeking comment

  Hearing may be waived for allegations based on public official sources such as court rulings, for allegations and responses already published, or for an overriding public interest ⁴

• Deutscher Presserat

  Jurisdiction

  Germany

  Code or rule

  Pressekodex, Ziffer 2 and Ziffer 3 (version of 19 March 2025) ⁵

  Rule on seeking comment

  Check information for truth with the care the circumstances demand. Mark unconfirmed reports as such. No explicit pre-publication comment rule found on the code page read. Correct inaccurate reports without undue delay ⁵

• New Zealand Media Council

  Jurisdiction

  New Zealand

  Code or rule

  Principle 1 and Principle 12 ⁶

  Rule on seeking comment

  In articles of controversy or disagreement, a fair voice must be given to the opposition view. In some circumstances an apology and a right of reply may be appropriate ⁶

• Press Council of Ireland

  Jurisdiction

  Ireland

  Code or rule

  Code of Practice, Principle 1 ⁷

  Rule on seeking comment

  Significant inaccuracies are corrected promptly and with due prominence. When appropriate, a response is published promptly and with due prominence ⁷

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