TRUTH & ACCURACY
BBC journalists need to not only get the objective, verifiable ‘facts’ right but accurately report the opinions expressed by those who they report. Senior editors talk about the daily challenge of ensuring every report and programme is accurate and truthful.
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You have an implied contract with your audiences. You’re asking them to trust you to check that what you’re saying is true and that your overall account isn’t misleading.
At times you may be asking members of the audience to share their experience or expertise with you through social media. You, as the journalist, are the curator of the news and information gathered and shared in this way and you have a responsibility not to mislead.
The BBC’s Editorial Guidelines set out the principles and practices that cover the Corporation’s commitment to due accuracy. They also explain that the term ‘due’ means there is no absolute test of accuracy; it can mean different things depending on the subject and nature of the output, and the expectations and understanding of the audience.
Accuracy isn’t the same as truth - it’s possible to give an entirely accurate account of an untruth.
“ People come to us to find out what things mean, find out the significance of things and, in many cases, find out the truth of things ”
