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A potential conflict of interest arises when there is the possibility that an individual鈥檚 external activities or interests may affect, or be reasonably perceived as affecting, the 麻豆官网首页入口鈥檚 impartiality and its integrity, or risk damaging the 麻豆官网首页入口鈥檚 reputation generally or the value of the 麻豆官网首页入口 brand. Conflicts of interest may occur in any area of our work.
It is a requirement that all 麻豆官网首页入口 staff must formally declare any personal interest which may affect their work with the 麻豆官网首页入口. This requirement extends to freelance presenters, reporters, producers and researchers and other workers. The onus to declare personal interests rests with the individual. Each department also has a responsibility for identifying its areas of vulnerability. There may be particular sensitivities around on-air talent.
Individual 麻豆官网首页入口 managers must decide what action is needed in response to declared potential conflicts of interest. There may be times where individual freedoms may need to be constrained or where individuals may be restricted in the areas in which they can work or in certain aspects of their roles. These decisions will depend on the kind of output they are involved in, their role, how senior they are and on the nature of their personal interests and external activities.
Conflicts of interest are not regulated by Ofcom, except where they may lead to a failure of due impartiality [1] . The 麻豆官网首页入口鈥檚 policy on personal interests forms part of the contract of employment that applies to 麻豆官网首页入口 employees. Failure to comply with these Guidelines or to follow the related Guidance may be a matter for 麻豆官网首页入口 Human Resources. For individuals who are otherwise engaged by the 麻豆官网首页入口 鈥� including freelance presenters, reporters, producers, researchers and other on-air talent 鈥� failure to comply with these Guidelines and related Guidance would normally be a contractual matter.
The principles on conflicts of interest apply to everyone, but the application of the principles varies according to an individual鈥檚 role and their level of involvement with 麻豆官网首页入口 content. This reflects audience expectations of the impartiality and integrity of 麻豆官网首页入口 output, in particular its news and current affairs.
There are additional legal and regulatory constraints on those involved in financial journalism or those who are involved in output offering financial or consumer advice.
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The involvement of talent, or their agents, in the ownership or senior management of independent production companies making output for the 麻豆官网首页入口 risks damaging the public perception of the 麻豆官网首页入口鈥檚 impartiality, independence and integrity. The 麻豆官网首页入口 must maintain overall editorial control of all aspects of the content.
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Detailed guidance on Conflicts of Interest is available on the Editorial Guidelines website. This also includes advice for financial journalists.
[1] The Ofcom Broadcasting Code, Rule 5.8: Any personal interest of a reporter or presenter, which would call into question the due impartiality of the programme, must be made clear to the audience.