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1. INTRODUCTION
The School of Arts & Sciences, Fremantle is responsible for the operation and management of the Quasimodo Online website (Quasi Online).
These Online Editorial Guidelines (Guidelines) apply to Notre Dame Staff and Students intending to produce content whether in film, radio, television, photography and other emerging media platforms for publication on Quasi Online.
Students have an overriding obligation to ensure that all online editorial content produced and intended for publication on Quasi Online is consistent with the Objects of the University.
The continued operation of the Quasi Online website is at the discretion of the Vice Chancellor. The Vice Chancellor may order the immediate withdrawal of content from Quasi Online or may terminate the operation of the website at any time and for any reason.
All online material intended to be published on Quasi is subject to the approval of the University. The approval and posting of content on Quasi Online must be in accordance with the procedure set out in these Guidelines.
The Quasi Online website must be identified clearly to the public as a Notre Dame Students’ website. Quasi Online may only be used for the purposes of posting content produced by Notre Dame Students’ in the course of their studies at Notre Dame.
2. GENERAL CONTENT -GUIDELINES
Students must ensure that all content selected reflects the highest standards of integrity, professionalism and respect. The use of language, sounds or images that is offensive to any individual or any group of individuals is not acceptable.
Students must comply with the following guidelines in relation to the specific areas of subject matter outlined below:
2.1 Violence. There will be times when it may be necessary to use violent images and sounds to adequately illustrate a story. Particular care must be taken in the presentation or portrayal of violence. The decision to use such images or sounds should be based on editorial judgement, together with regard for the reasonable susceptibilities of audiences to the detail of what is broadcast or published. Such content should not put undue emphasis on the violent images or sounds, and where appropriate it should be preceded by a warning.
2.2 Language. Variations of language favoured by different groups of Australians are valid and have their place in our content. On occasions, the language of one group may be distasteful to another. Use of such language may be permitted provided it is not used gratuitously and can be justified in the context in which it is used.
2.3 Intrusion into Grief. Sensitivity should be exercised in presenting images of, or interviews with, bereaved relatives and survivors or witnesses of traumatic events. Except in special circumstances, children who have recently been victims of, or eyewitnesses to, a tragedy or traumatic experience should not be interviewed or featured.
2.4 Religious Content. Religious content includes coverage of worship and devotion, explanation, analysis, debate and reports. This content may include major religious traditions, indigenous religions and new spiritual movements, as well as secular perspectives on religious issues. Content must reflect the principle of religious freedom and mutual respect for different religions. Students intending to include religious content must ensure that the content is portrayed in a manner that is respectful of the religion. Students should not seek to portray religious content without consultation with the relevant religious group or denomination.
Guidance http://www.omi.wa.gov.au/omi_guidelines.cfm
2.5 Indigenous Australian Content. Significant cultural practices of Indigenous Australians should be observed in content and reporting. Students must verify content with recognised indigenous groups or community bodies. Indigenous content may incorporate issues such as acknowledgement and/or permission of indigenous ownership of materials, content of secret or sacred nature, consideration of cultural matters such as the inclusion of names, images of deceased peoples, awareness of different languages, cultural groups, beliefs and traditions. Students must ensure content has been checked and conforms with current cultural protocols for Indigenous reporting. There are various websites available for guidance:
http://reconciliaction.org.au/nsw/education-kit/protocols/#abc
2.6 Sex and Sexuality. Provided it is handled with integrity, any of the following treatments of sex and sexuality may be appropriate and necessary:
- it can be discussed and reported in the context of news, current affairs, information or documentary programs
- it can be referred to in drama, comedy, lyrics or fictional programs
- it can be depicted or implied.
2.7 Discrimination and Stereotypes. To avoid discrimination and stereotyping, content should not use language or images which:
- disparage or discriminate against any person or group on grounds such as race, ethnicity, nationality, sex, age, disability or sexual preference; marital, parental, social or occupational status; religious, cultural or political belief or activity:
- are not representative and reinforce stereotypes, or convey stereotypic assumptions convey prejudice
- make demeaning or gratuitous references; for example to, people’s physical characteristics, cultural practices or religious beliefs.
The above requirements are not intended to prevent content which is factual or the expression of genuinely-held opinion, or content presented in the legitimate context of a humorous, satirical or dramatic work.
2.8 Opinion. Any content which expresses an opinion of the student must comply with the specific guidelines on Opinion outlined below.
2.9 Privacy. The rights to privacy of individuals should be respected in all content.
Where content is approved but the content is of a nature that could disturb or offend some members of the public students must ensure that advance notice and warning of the content is given to the audience.
3. NEWS AND CURRENT AFFAIRS CONTENT
3.1 Every reasonable effort, in the circumstances, must be made to ensure that the factual content of news and current affairs is accurate and in context.
3.2 Content will be impartial. Editorial judgements will be based on news values. One perspective will not be unduly favoured over others.
3.4 Balance will be sought. If balance is not achieved within a single publication, it will be achieved as soon as reasonably practicable and in an appropriate manner. It is not necessarily essential to give all sides equal time to ensure balance. As far as possible, principal relevant views on matters of importance will be presented.
3.5 Content will aim to serve the public interest by investigating issues affecting society and individuals.
3.6 Re-enactments of events will be clearly identified as such and presented in a way which will not mislead audiences.
3.7 In keeping with industry practice, content prepared for news and current affairs, opinion, topical and factual or performance programs do not require the approval of content by interviewees or other interested parties prior to publication.
3.8 In keeping with industry practice, questions to be asked of interviewees do not need to be approved by interviewees before interviews are carried out.
4. OPINION CONTENT
This section applies to content categorised as opinion content including, but not limited to, blogs, opinion pieces, reviews and commentaries.
Opinion content is content which expresses a view or judgement formed by the student or some other person about something which is not necessarily based on fact or knowledge.
4.1 Content must be clearly signposted to audiences as opinion in advance.
4.2 If students intend to publish material which is based on opinion or includes content which is opinion by nature students must ensure they take reasonable steps to ensure factual content is accurate, reflects the honestly held views of the writer and that content does not misrepresent other viewpoints.
4.3 Students who wish to publish opinion content must ensure the audience is clearly advised prior to the publication that the opinion is the opinion of the student and does not reflect or represent the opinion of the University.
4.4 In obtaining approval students must identify to the unit coordinator any part of the content which relies on opinion content or may be perceived as inconsistent with the Objects and values of the University.
5. APPROVAL
All content produced by students and intended for publication on Quasi Online must be approved by the Dean of the School of Arts & Sciences (or delegate). The Dean has delegated the day to day approval and posting responsibilities under these Guidelines to a designated team of Communications and Media lecturers within the School of Arts & Sciences, Fremantle, which includes the unit coordinator of Convergence Journalism (CO306). The membership of this team will be reviewed and approved by the Dean on a needs basis.
Students have access to Quasi Online for the purposes of uploading content for peer review. Students do not have access nor are students permitted to post content on to Quasi Online. The procedure for approval of content is as follows:
5.1 Prior to online publication students must submit their content to the unit coordinator for approval. Students will create their content in their own workspace and upload it onto the Quasi website where it may be peer reviewed.
5.2 Once content is uploaded the designated lecturer must review the content and assess whether the material conforms to these Guidelines and is appropriate for publication. If the designated lecturer forms the view that the material is appropriate the designated lecturer will post the content on Quasi Online.
5.3 If the designated lecturer forms the view the content is not appropriate for publication he/she must advise the students of his/her concerns and request the content be revised and resubmitted for approval.
5.3 When re-submitted, designated lecturer will review and where the unit coordinator is of the view the concerns identified have not been addressed will refuse to approve the content.
5.4 Where any designated lecturer is unsure about the appropriateness of any content he/she must refer the content to the Dean of School who may refer the content to the Legal Office for advice.
6 ADDITIONAL REFERENCE MATERIAL
Students are also expected to abide by the Media, Arts and Entertainment Alliance (MEAA) Code of Ethics. A copy of the Code can be found at http://researchjournalism.wordpress.com/ethics/meaa-code-of-ethics/ .
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