Preamble

The New Zealand Press Council was established in 1972 by newspaper publishers and journalists to provide the public with an independent forum for resolution of complaints against the press. It also has other important Objectives as stated in the Constitution of the Press Council. Complaint resolution is its core work, but promotion of freedom of the press and maintenance of the press in accordance with the highest professional standards rank equally with that first Objective.

There are some broad principles to which the Council is committed. There is no more important principle than freedom of expression. In a democratically governed society the public has a right to be informed, and much of that information comes from the media. Individuals also have rights and sometimes they must be balanced against competing interests such as the public's right to know. Freedom of expression and freedom of the media are inextricably bound. The print media is jealous in guarding freedom of expression not just for publishers' sake, but, more importantly, in the public interest. In complaint resolution by the Council freedom of expression and public interest will play dominant roles.

It is important to the Council that the distinction between fact, and conjecture, opinions or comment be maintained. This Principle does not interfere with rigorous analysis, of which there is an increasing need. It is the hallmark of good journalism.

The Council seeks the co-operation of editors and publishers in adherence to these Principles and disposing of complaints. The Press Council does not prescribe rules by which publications should conduct themselves. Editors have the ultimate responsibility to their proprietors for what appears editorially in their publications, and to their readers and the public for adherence to the standards of ethical journalism which the Council upholds in this Statement of Principles.

These Principles are not a rigid code, but may be used by complainants should they wish to point the Council more precisely to the nature of their complaint. A complainant may use other words, or expressions, in a complaint, and nominate grounds not expressly stated in these Principles.

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