JS&IP Section 9

Subjects

The Subject of a story, if a person or corporation, should be given a reasonable right to reply by a Journalist when possible. A reasonable right of reply includes our Journalist having the ability to ask questions of a Subject and then get their statement if they wish to provide one.

If a Subject clearly declines to provide a statement on the record, grant an interview, or speak with a Journalist that request should be respected.

When a Subject declines to answer the questions of a Journalist this shall be clearly explained in the story. When a Subject can not be reached this shall be clearly explained in the story. When a Subject declines to answer questions, but instead offers a written statement, it shall be clearly explained in the story that the Subject declined to answer questions, and provided a written statement instead. When a written statement is provided but a Journalist is unable to ask direct questions, the Journalist is under no obligation to reference or quote any part of the written statement, and should only do so if a part of the statement directly answers a question they planned to ask.

Subjects are never to be provided advance copy of questions a Journalist will ask or advance copy of a story. When our story is finished and published, everyone including Subjects shall have the opportunity to read it. If a Subject has requested to be provided a link to the story after it has been published, the Journalist should endeavour to do so promptly.