Code of Conduct

The Citizen subscribes to the South African Press Code and is obliged to report news truthfully, accurately and fairly. If it doesn’t, feel free to contact the Press Ombudsman on 011-484-3612/8, fax 011-484-3619 or [email protected].

(Effective from January 1, 2020)

The Press Code of Ethics and Conduct for South African Print and Online Media

The Press Council of South Africa and the Interactive Advertising Bureau South Africa adopt the following Code for print and online media (together referred to as “the media).

PREAMBLE

The media exist to serve society.

Their freedom provides for independent scrutiny of the forces that shape society, and is essential to realising the promise of democracy. It enables citizens to make informed judgements on the issues of the day, a role whose centrality is recognised in the South African Constitution.

Section 16 of the Bill of Rights sets out that:

Everyone has the right to freedom of expression, which includes:

a) Freedom of the press and other media; b) Freedom to receive and impart information or ideas; c) Freedom of artistic creativity; and d) Academic freedom and freedom of scientific research.

The right in subsection (1) does not extend to: a) Propaganda for war; b) Incitement of imminent violence; or c) Advocacy of hatred that is based on race, ethnicity, gender or religion, and that constitutes incitement to cause harm.

The media strive to hold these rights in trust for the country’s citizens; and they are subject to the same rights and duties as the individual. Everyone has the duty to defend and further these rights, in recognition of the struggles that created them: the media, the public and government, who all make up the democratic state.

The media’s work is guided at all times by the public interest, understood to describe information of legitimate interest or importance to citizens.

As journalists, we commit ourselves to the highest standards, to maintain credibility and keep the trust of the public.

This means always striving for truth, avoiding unnecessary harm, reflecting a multiplicity of voices in our coverage of events, showing a special concern for children and other vulnerable groups, and exhibiting sensitivity to the cultural customs of their readers and the subjects of their reportage, and acting independently.

* This section applies where a complaint is brought against a member in respect of comments and content posted by users on all platforms in controls and on which it distributes its content.

END

(Effective from January 1, 2019)

The Press Code of Ethics and Conduct for South African Print and Online Media

reveal information about the person.

EDITORIAL POLICY

The Citizen prides itself on being an unbiased publication that provides news, lifestyle, business and sport coverage that readers feel they can’t do without.

The Citizen want to keep their readers updated with news as it breaks and stories that resonate with them.