LO4 - Regulation

IPSO is the regulator for online and printed newspapers. They have a code of practice that journalists must follow in order to have their work published on these newspapers or online news articles.

I have followed this code of practice in my article and justified how I have followed the clauses relevant to my article.

Clause 1 - Accuracy

'The Press must take care not to publish inaccurate, misleading or distorted information or images, including headlines not supported by the text.'

I have ensured I have followed this clause by ensuring all of the information I have gathered and used in my article is factual to the best of my knowledge and that it is information I have found myself or from trusted sources such as an article from The National Autistic Society, The Guardian and Very Well Health. I believe these to be accurate due to the trustworthy and reliable sources which I have further justified on my Justifying Resources post.

Clause 2 - Privacy

'Editors will be expected to justify intrusions into any individual's private life without consent.'

I have ensured I have followed this clause by ensuring the information I have gathered from my Google Form is private and anonymous and that I have gained consent from Natalie Young to use her name and interview in my article. I have not used any identifiable information without consent in my article.

Clause 3 - Harassment

'Journalists must not engage in intimidation, harassment or persistent pursuit.'

I have ensured I have followed this clause by ensuring all of the information I have gathered was voluntary and I haven't pressured anyone into completing my Google Form.

Clause 5 - Reporting Suicide 

'When reporting suicide, to prevent simulative acts care should be taken to avoid excessive detail of the method used, while taking into account the media's right to report legal proceedings.'

I have ensured I have followed this clause by ensuring my use of self-harm and suicide in my article are brief and don't go into detail.

Clause 12 - Discrimination

'Details of an individual's race, colour, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical or mental illness or disability must be avoided unless genuinely relevant to the story.'

I have ensured I have followed this clause by only mentioning gender and disability in my article as these are relevant to my article subject. Due to the nature of my article, I have ensured I have spoken from my own point of view and have been as truthful as possible. The research was based off of people who answered that do have or may have autism.

Clause 15 - Confidential Sources

'Journalists have a moral obligation to protect confidential sources of information.'

I have ensured I have followed this clause by ensuring the people who filled in my Google Form are anonymous and gaining consent from my interviewee. I have only asked people to take part in my Google Form and interview who have been willing to take part and have chosen to.