Media Outlet Hong Kong Free Press Date of first publication 20/02/2024 Date of Latest Change 20/02/2024
11. Responsibility for Content Provided by the General Public
11.1. User Generated Content/Eyewitness News
A Media Outlet shall ensure that the same principles of checking for accuracy, legal, and ethical compliance are applied to journalistic content sourced from the general public (UGC or Eyewitness News content) as with all content it publishes.
Does your Media Outlet publish any content that comes not from staff or freelancers but from external sources such as readers/viewers?
YesDoes your Media Outlet have set structures to ensure the checking of externally sourced material undergoes the same principles as that created entirely by its own journalists?
Yes11.2. Editorial Guidelines for UGC/Eyewitness News
There should be specific categories within the Media Outlet’s Editorial Guidelines for dealing with User Generated Content (UGC) or Eyewitness News and these should be publicly accessible. In relation to this type of content the guidelines shall indicate the verification process to be used, how the content should be published with any labelling required and include guidance on dealing with the content providers in a responsible manner.
Do your Editorial Guidelines also include provisions for externally-submitted material?
YesIf you want to publish additional information, please provide it here.
Yes, here: https://hongkongfp.com/hkfp-code-ethics/#user-generated-content Should HKFP publish material - such as photos, videos or audio - submitted by a member of the public, the material will undergo our usual verification and fact-checking procedures listed on the HKFP Policies, Ethics & Best Practices page. The terms and conditions for the submission of User Generated Content (UGC) or eyewitness news are listed at the bottom of our contact page, and the content will be clearly attributed as usual.
Are there Editorial Guidelines dealing with UGC/eyewitness news content?
YesIf you want to publish additional information, please provide it here.
Yes, here: https://hongkongfp.com/hkfp-code-ethics/#user-generated-content Should HKFP publish material - such as photos, videos or audio - submitted by a member of the public, the material will undergo our usual verification and fact-checking procedures listed on the HKFP Policies, Ethics & Best Practices page. The terms and conditions for the submission of User Generated Content (UGC) or eyewitness news are listed at the bottom of our contact page, and the content will be clearly attributed as usual.
Do they include details on the verification processes to be used for this content?
YesDo they include guidance on the appropriate labelling of such content?
YesIf you want to publish additional information, please provide it here.
The guidelines state that any photo/video/audio supplied by the public will be clearly attributed as usual. e.g. we will include their name in the caption.
Do they include guidance on dealing with the providers of such content in a responsible and ethical manner?
YesIf you want to publish additional information, please provide it here.
It states that the content will be treated the same as all other content and liable under our full policies and ethics guidelines. https://hongkongfp.com/hkfp-code-ethics/#user-generated-content
11.3. Opinion Guidelines
In relation to opinion or comment pieces the guidelines should set clear requirements of the ethical principles expected which may include but is not limited to prohibition of comment due to defamation, privacy, hate speech and harassment. The Media Outlet should make clear its policy on the moderation of such content, whether it is pre or post publication, and its policy on take-down, notice and appeal provisions.
Do your Editorial Guidelines also include provision for ensuring comment material is free from defamation?
YesIf you want to publish additional information, please provide it here.
Yes, publicly viewable here: https://hongkongfp.com/hkfp-code-ethics/#analysis
It states: External parties writing for our Opinion section should be mindful of our Ethics Code and Standards, must link to sources where applicable, and must ensure all of their views are backed by facts. All of our usual guidelines apply, including respect of laws such as libel, defamation, privacy, harassment and contempt of court.
It states: External parties writing for our Opinion section should be mindful of our Ethics Code and Standards, must link to sources where applicable, and must ensure all of their views are backed by facts. All of our usual guidelines apply, including respect of laws such as libel, defamation, privacy, harassment and contempt of court.
Do your Editorial Guidelines also include provision for ensuring comment material is free from invasions of privacy?
YesIf you want to publish additional information, please provide it here.
Yes, publicly viewable here: https://hongkongfp.com/hkfp-code-ethics/#analysis
It states: External parties writing for our Opinion section should be mindful of our Ethics Code and Standards, must link to sources where applicable, and must ensure all of their views are backed by facts. All of our usual guidelines apply, including respect of laws such as libel, defamation, privacy, harassment and contempt of court.
It states: External parties writing for our Opinion section should be mindful of our Ethics Code and Standards, must link to sources where applicable, and must ensure all of their views are backed by facts. All of our usual guidelines apply, including respect of laws such as libel, defamation, privacy, harassment and contempt of court.
Do your Editorial Guidelines also include provision for ensuring comment material is free from hate speech?
YesIf you want to publish additional information, please provide it here.
Yes, publicly viewable here: https://hongkongfp.com/hkfp-code-ethics/#analysis it states that content is liable under our Ethics Code and Standards, which - itself - has a section on hate speech.
Do your Editorial Guidelines also include provision for ensuring comment material is free from harassment?
YesIf you want to publish additional information, please provide it here.
Yes, publicly viewable here: https://hongkongfp.com/hkfp-code-ethics/#analysis
It states: External parties writing for our Opinion section should be mindful of our Ethics Code and Standards, must link to sources where applicable, and must ensure all of their views are backed by facts. All of our usual guidelines apply, including respect of laws such as libel, defamation, privacy, harassment and contempt of court.
It states: External parties writing for our Opinion section should be mindful of our Ethics Code and Standards, must link to sources where applicable, and must ensure all of their views are backed by facts. All of our usual guidelines apply, including respect of laws such as libel, defamation, privacy, harassment and contempt of court.