Professor Steven Barnett, Professor of Communication at the University of Westminster, visited Cardiff University to speak at the launch event of the Press Justice Project’s (PJP) Ethical Reporting Guidelines. The initiative brought together experts to help raise standards when reporting sensitive news in today’s fast-paced media cycle.
The Press Justice Project, a charity providing education to the public, the media and journalism students about the importance of ethical standards in the press, has launched a series of Ethical Reporting Guidelines to help raise reporting standards in the UK. The first set of guidelines focuses on reporting around the climate crisis, mental health and suicide, and domestic abuse.
In order to create these guidelines, the PJP brought together senior journalists, non-profit organisations and academic experts to share insights on the impact of low standards in the press and how they can be raised to the benefit of both the press and the public. The project distilled this expertise into simple and easily accessible guidelines that were launched in an event at Cardiff University on 23 April.
Professor Barnett featured on the event’s expert panel, which was followed by an audience Q&A. He discussed the importance of supporting journalists, particularly those starting out in their careers, and the pressures of newsrooms that can sometimes blur the lines between professional codes and the need for clickbait.
Professor Barnett is a leading authority in media policy and public service broadcasting who was recently appointed as a Specialist Adviser to the House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee inquiry into the BBC Royal Charter Review. He also hosts the annual Leveson Lecture at the University of Westminster, where experts discuss a variety of topics related to press accountability following the Leveson Enquiry that took place between 2011 and 2012.
About the initiative Professor Barnett said: “At a time that journalists are under increasing pressure to generate stories quickly and at volume, even experienced reporters can sometimes feel compelled by newsroom editors to compromise professional standards. The guidelines launched at this well attended event hosted by the Press Justice Project, in collaboration with some of the UK’s most effective civil society groups, provided a perfect opportunity to discuss those industry pressures and their impact on journalistic standards.”
Professor Barnett’s work directly contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions. Since 2019, the University of Westminster has used the SDGs holistically to frame strategic decisions to help students and colleagues fulfil their potential and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable and healthier society.
Find out more about Media and Communication courses at the University of Westminster.
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