Editorial policy

TVNZ has published information about how its newsroom operates, as it focuses on transparency and inspiring trust in news.

As New Zealand’s leading television and digital media company, TVNZ 1News is committed to providing accurate, independent, comprehensive, impartial and in-depth news and current affairs that maintains the highest standards of journalism.

This is an essential part of our mission to provide high quality content that is relevant to, and enjoyed and valued by, New Zealand audiences.

At the heart of our operation and our future success is an uncompromising and unyielding commitment to outstanding journalism and storytelling.

The standards we hold ourselves to are set out in this document.

Reporters, producers and researchers at TVNZ accept editorial responsibility for the news and current affairs content they produce but are expected to upwardly refer to editors and news managers any content which is likely to be controversial, complex, sensitive or potentially legally risky.

This practice of upward referral is central to our journalism, and the basic rule is ‘if in doubt, refer up’. This applies at every stage of the news gathering and production process.

When referring-up it is essential that full and accurate information is provided so that an editor or manager can make informed decisions.

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TVNZ’s News and Current Affairs operates without fear or favour.

It is not influenced by any improper political, sectional, commercial or personal interests, whether from inside or outside the organisation.

This principle of editorial independence is fundamental to an objective and impartial newsroom, and critical to a free and democratic society. This independence is also enshrined in the Television New Zealand Act 2003, which states government Ministers cannot interfere with the editorial decisions of the company.

More broadly, our commitment to integrity means we guard carefully against any conflicts of interest and ensure that we do not gather news and current affairs in a way that undermines our reputation.

Standards:

1.1 Ensure that editorial decisions are not improperly influenced by political, sectional, commercial or personal views.

1.2 Declare and manage any conflicts of interest.

1.3 Do not accept any free or discounted products, services or gifts that have the potential to undermine editorial independence and integrity. Any gifts that do not undermine editorial independence and integrity need to be declared for transparency.

1.4 Do not pay for interviews.

This does not preclude reimbursing reasonable costs for individuals involved in news and current affairs content.

Accuracy is at the heart of good journalism. TVNZ strives to ensure that its news and current affairs content is accurate in relation to all material facts and does not mislead. When making efforts to ensure accuracy, the following principles are important:

Material should be well sourced, based on sound evidence, and presented in clear, precise language.

We should be honest and open about what we don’t know and avoid unfounded speculation.

We should try to gather information first hand. Where this is not possible, we should talk to first hand sources and, where necessary, corroborate their evidence.

Information that cannot be verified should be appropriately attributed.

The accuracy standard applies to statements of fact. These must be clearly distinguishable from statements of opinion, analysis or matters of interpretation.

Standards:

2.1 Ensure that all facts that are relevant to a reasonable understanding of the story and/or issue being covered are included in that story.

2.2 Do not omit any facts that a reasonable person would need to understand a story and its significance.

2.3 Ensure that included facts are presented accurately, in context, and in a way that does not deliberately or unintentionally mislead.

News must be impartial.

To be impartial is to provide opportunities to present all significant viewpoints and avoid omission of relevant facts or misleading emphasis.

This requires an objective approach.

It is often said that true objectivity is not possible - we are all subjective in some way or another – and the BSA recognises broadcasters' freedom of expression rights, and the right for individuals and broadcasters to hold a viewpoint. This can be achieved while still maintaining the expectations of broadcasting standards.

Impartiality is a discipline, and one that needs to be exercised consciously and diligently. First and foremost, it requires an open mind and a willingness to follow the facts wherever they lead.

When making efforts to achieve impartiality, the following principles are important:

Ask tough questions of yourself before you ask them of anyone else. It is important to identify your own blind spots, assumptions and points of view on any given issue, and work hard to set them aside.

Gather the facts with an open mind. Don’t ignore uncomfortable facts, and don’t cherry pick facts in order to create a sensational story.

Follow the weight of evidence. Let the facts determine the narrative, not the other way around.

Standards:

3.1 Gather and present information with due impartiality, avoiding any inappropriate favouring of one view over another.

3.2 Do not allow any personal, organisational or external views to influence the gathering of information.

3.3 Follow and reflect the weight of evidence.

3.4 Clearly distinguish between matters of fact and matters of opinion.

TVNZ aims to reflect and represent the diversity of views in the community, and this applies to news and current affairs content.

When covering significant or controversial issues, it is important to make reasonable efforts to present an appropriately diverse range of perspectives, either in the same program or within the period of current interest in the specific issue involved.

Significant perspectives should be sought out and provided with time appropriate to the relevance and significance of their views in the broader community. It is important to remember that ‘false balance’, whereby one view is automatically balanced with a counter view regardless of the weight of evidence, is not good journalism.

Balance cannot be achieved by way of the stopwatch, or by counting lines of script. Each situation must be dealt with on its merits.

Remember, also, that significant issues rarely have just two opposing sides. Be prepared to seek out a range of perspectives beyond the obvious ones.

Standards:

4.1 Seek out and include an appropriately diverse range of perspectives.

4.2 Do not over-represent or under-represent views.

4.3 Balance can be achieved over the period of current interest and different significant viewpoints can also be represented in different news programmes on broadcast, online and TVNZ+.

Fairness is a broad concept, but at its heart it means honest and open communication and dealing with audiences and the public in a fair and consistent way.

In the normal course of events journalists employed by TVNZ should clearly identify themselves in the course of their work. If a compelling case exists for a reporter or crew to go “undercover” the matter must be referred up and will only be approved if it is clearly in the public interest and the information cannot be obtained by other means.

Similarly, any use of hidden cameras, microphones or other covert news gathering must also be upwardly referred and must be in the public interest and unobtainable by other means.

Information gathering and interviews need to be conducted fairly. We must ensure when undertakings are made (including granting anonymity to sources) that we are in a position to make those undertakings and honour them. The law provides some protections and courts may order disclosure in some circumstances, so seek advice from TVNZ’s legal team before making undertakings.

Standards:

5.1 Clearly identify yourself as a TVNZ journalist except in those rare circumstances where the public interest justifies a different approach.

5.2 Secret recording, the use of hidden cameras or microphones or other covert news gathering techniques must be upwardly referred and only used where the public interest justifies it and no other approach is possible.

5.3 Interviews must be conducted fairly and the purpose of the interview fairly explained. Editing of interviews must not distort their contents, and doorstops should only be used when all other means of obtaining an interview have been exhausted.

5.4 Honour confidences and protect the anonymity of confidential sources. However, acknowledge there are legal limitations, so refer up when considering such undertakings.

5.5 Where specific allegations are made against individuals or organisations, those against whom the allegations are made should be provided with an opportunity to respond at the earliest practical opportunity.

Privacy should be respected and not infringed without good reason. This applies both to what we say about a person in a story and how we collect information.

You should not reveal sensitive, personal information about an identifiable living person without their consent unless justified by the public interest. The level of intrusion should be proportionate to the public interest involved in the story.

Generally, there is no breach of privacy for things recorded in a public place. However, this will not always apply if the person concerned was “particularly vulnerable” - for example, where they are clearly mentally unwell, intoxicated, during a rescue or at an accident scene. If in doubt, refer up.

Privacy considerations may change over time, too. Some public facts (such as prior criminal behaviour) may over time have become private again.

Particular care is required around children. Even with parental consent, we still need to consider what the impact of our coverage on the child might be.

Unauthorised entry onto another’s land is trespass. It is important to remember that it could result in an individual reporter or camera crew incurring a conviction. It can also give rise to a civil action for damages. A good rule of thumb is: If you’re asked to go, leave. Broadcasting footage of unauthorised entry into an individual’s property will likely breach Privacy standards unless the footage is in the public interest to broadcast or publish.

Standards:

6.1 Ensure that any intrusion into a person’s reasonable expectations of privacy is justified in the public interest.

6.2 Take particular care when dealing with vulnerable people, including accident victims, children and those involved in traumatic events.

Journalism is not always polite, respectful and inoffensive. Covering confronting events and uncovering painful truths can upset, annoy and offend many people. It is nonetheless fundamental to our role.

News and current affairs should not be sanitised or subject to censorship, but at the same time there is no need to harm or offend people gratuitously. Any news content that is likely to harm or offend must be justified by a legitimate editorial purpose.

It is important to understand the difference between harm and offence.

Examples of causing harm include damaging someone’s reputation by reporting that paints them in a negative light, traumatising people who have been involved in violent or criminal events, or encouraging dangerous or antisocial behaviours.

Causing offence is less direct, usually involving offending people through the use of strong language, violent or offensive images or other disturbing content.

In both cases, the key is to limit the level of harm or offence to that which is necessary in the public interest to tell the story, and to use warnings and other signalling when required.

Standards:

7.1 Do not gratuitously harm or offend. News content which has the potential to harm or offend should be justified by the public interest.

7.2 Wherever possible, make use of warnings and other signals, and take account of the context where news will be seen, including platform, timeslot and likely audience makeup.

News involves reporting on legitimate matters of public interest, and these can often include instances where individuals or groups are blamed, criticised or accused of wrongdoing.

Regardless of the circumstances, there is no place for content that encourages, condones or participates in discrimination against any section of the community on account of sex, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, age, disability, occupational status, religion, culture or political belief.

The accurate coverage of news and events can and should be done without unnecessary prejudice to any individual or group.

In news stories, references to the sex, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, age, disability, occupational status, religion, culture or political belief of a group or individual should generally be included only if that information is directly relevant to a proper understanding of the story.

Standards:

8.1 Do not stereotype, denigrate or discriminate in news and current affairs content against any groups or individuals in relation to their sex, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, age, disability, occupational status, religion, culture or political belief.

8.2 Ensure that any disclosure of such details is included in stories based on their relevance to the subject matter at hand.

Care needs to be taken to acknowledge and respect the rights and vulnerabilities of children.

This includes taking extra measures when our news and current affairs content involves dealing with or depicting children, as well as taking into account the likely impact of our content on children who may watch it or read it.

News and current affairs is, of course, aimed at an adult audience and it is neither practical nor desirable to tailor news content for children. However, consideration needs to be given to the time at which certain news may be broadcast or the level of accessibility news content may have in an online or social media context, and additional warnings may be required in circumstances where it is particularly likely that children may be watching or reading. This applies to promos and teasers as well as news and current affairs programs themselves.

When it comes to dealing with children in our newsgathering, parental or guardian consent is normally required before any significant involvement in a story, but this alone may not be sufficient. Consideration needs to be given to children’s reasonable expectations of privacy, and of situations or questions which may harm, offend or impact upon them in a variety of ways.

For the purpose of this editorial principle, a child is anyone under the age of 16 years.

Standards:

9.1 Upward referral is mandatory for any news or current affairs content which materially involves or depicts children.

9.2 Ensure that parental consent has been obtained for any content featuring the material or significant involvement of children. Even with parental consent, we still need to consider what the impact of our coverage on the child might be.

9.3 Be mindful of the potential for children to view or read news content in particular circumstances or at particular times of the day and consider additional warnings where considered necessary.

TVNZ is accountable for the editorial standards it seeks to uphold.

That means it welcomes feedback, including complaints where audience members feel we may have fallen short of the standards we set for ourselves.

Our commitment is to respond transparently, and in a timely fashion, to editorial complaints about our news and current affairs.

As well as responding ourselves to any issues raised, TVNZ is subject to the editorial standards of the Broadcasting Standards Authority (in relation to broadcast content) and the principles of the Media Council of New Zealand (in relation to content published online) and will engage promptly and constructively with any complaints raised via those bodies.

Standards:

10.1 Engage constructively through the appropriate channels with any complaints made about news and current affairs content.

10.2 Where corrections or apologies are required, make them clearly and transparently as soon as possible.

Anyone can make a formal complaint through TVNZ’s website: https://corporate.tvnz.co.nz/contact/make-a-formal-complaint/

Summary of key messaging from the Media Council and the Broadcast Standards Authority principles.

(Response in proposed standards show in italics below items.)

Accuracy, Fairness and Balance

This covers the fundamental issues of accuracy, but also the need for an appropriate diversity of views and for views to be fairly represented

These are covered by and are consistent with standards in sections 2,3,4 and 5 of the proposed new standards

Privacy

Covers the balance between privacy and the public interest, but also specifically mentions the need to avoid gratuitously identifying people in relation to crime and being especially aware of grief and trauma.

Covered by section 6 of the proposed new standards

Children and Young People

Take special care

Covered by section 9 of the proposed new standards

Comment and Fact

Distinguish between the two, and ensure opinion is not based on fake facts.

This is covered in section 3 of the proposed new standards.

Columns, blogs, Opinion and letters

Repeats some of the same stuff re properly identifying opinion, but adds in the need to employ fairness, balance and the public interest when publishing letters.

Broadly covered (although without specific mention of these formats) by sections 2,3,4 and 5 of the proposed new standards

Headlines and Captions

Part of the accuracy standard - they should accurately capture the essence of the story

Captured by section 2 of the proposed new standards.

Discrimination and Diversity

Don’t stereotype or place undue emphasis on race, age, religion, sexuality, etc…

Covered by section 8 of the proposed new standards.

Confidentiality

Protect sources. Make sure things like ‘off the record’ are understood by all sides.

Covered by section 5 of the proposed new standards.

Subterfuge

Use subterfuge only in the public interest and when no other means are available.

Covered by section 5 of the proposed new standards

Conflicts of Interest

Manage, declare and avoid conflicts of interest.

Covered by section 1 of the proposed new standards.

Photographs and graphics

Covers both accuracy and harm and offence, Don’t mislead, and don’t be too graphic.

Broadly covered (although without specific reference to photos) by sections 2 and 7 of the proposed new standards.

Corrections

Correct promptly, and offer an apology or right of reply where relevant.

Covered by section 10 of the proposed new standards.

(Response in proposed standards show in italics below items.)

Offensive and disturbing content

Mostly general stuff and classification, but the bit relevant to news is to balance offence with the public interest.

This is covered by section 7 of the proposed new standards.

Children’s interests

General again, but in relation to news it simply reminds that when material is disturbing, we need to be mindful of likely audience makeup at particular times and warn.

Covered by section 9 of the proposed new standards.

Illegal or antisocial behaviour

Don’t promote such behaviour, which means that when the news covers such things, the level of graphic detail must be justified by the public interest. Alcohol is covered here.

The broad principles of this, although not the specific detail on alcohol, are covered by the statement of principle and the specific standards in section 7 of the proposed new standards.

Discrimination and denigration

General admonition against stereotyping and discrimination, while recognising the need for factual or analytical coverage.

This is covered by section 8 of the proposed new standards.

Balance

One of only 2 standards specifically relating to news. Calls for significant viewpoints to be appropriately included in relation to controversial issues.

Covered by section 4 of the proposed new standards.

Accuracy

The other news specific standard.

Calls for accuracy, for not misleading and for correcting promptly if required.

Captured by section 2 of the proposed new standards.

Privacy

The usual balancing of privacy with the public Interest.

Covered by section 6 of the proposed new standards.

Fairness

Treat people fairly across all kinds of content.

Covers informed consent, balance against the public interest. Also covers the right for people mentioned to comment, normally before broadcast. Doorstepping only if other methods have failed, editing should be fair, no misrepresentation unless essential in the public interest, show discretion with grief or trauma.

Covered by sections 5 and 7 of the proposed new standards.