Principles of accuracy, fairness and privacy under a new code

Recent reports into regulation of the media recommend the creation of a 'news standards body' to oversee news providers and to create a new code. The new code should be founded on the public interest. It is an opportunity to recognize and entrench the legitimate interests of those affected by the presentation of news material. The fairness of news information should be based on the accuracy of the implied facts of news material. News providers will have freedom of speech in presenting opinion, but will be discouraged from presenting inaccurate material. With respect to privacy, the new code should strike a proper balance between the public interest in receiving information and the rights of the individual. The test for privacy invasion should be based upon the reasonable expectation of privacy.