Guidelines

Print a pdf of the Guidelines in English

Print a pdf of the Guidelines in Welsh - Argraffu pdf o’r Canllawiau yn Gymraeg

Forewords

David Clementi, BBC Chairman  *Chairman at the time of publication of the guidelines (2019).  Chair is now Samir Shah.  

Tony Hall, BBC Director-General  *DG at the time of publication of the guidelines (2019). DG is now Tim Davie

Section 1: The BBC's Editorial Standards

1.1 Introduction 

1.2 Our Editorial Values 

1.3 The Public Interest 

1.4 Ofcom 

1.5 Accountability 

1.6 Complaints 

1.7 Accessibility 

Section 2: How to Use the Guidelines

2.1 Introduction 

2.2 Roles and Responsibilities 

2.3 Editorial Justification 

2.4 Other Sources of Advice 

Section 3: Accuracy

3.1 Introduction 

3.2 Mandatory Referrals 

3.3 Guidelines 

Section 4: Impartiality

4.1 Introduction 

4.2 Mandatory Referrals 

4.3 Guidelines 

Section 5: Harm and Offence

5.1 Introduction 

5.2 Mandatory Referrals 

5.3 Guidelines 

Section 6: Fairness to Contributors and Consent

6.1 Introduction 

6.2 Mandatory Referrals 

6.3 Guidelines 

Section 7: Privacy

7.1 Introduction 

7.2 Mandatory Referrals 

7.3 Guidelines 

Section 8: Reporting Crime and Anti-social Behaviour

8.1 Introduction 

8.2 Mandatory Referrals 

8.3 Guidelines 

Section 9: Children and Young People as Contributors

9.1 Introduction 

9.2 Mandatory Referrals 

9.3 Guidelines 

Section 10: Politics, Public Policy and Polls

10.1 Introduction 

10.2 Mandatory Referrals 

10.3 Guidelines 

Section 11: War, Terror and Emergencies

11.1 Introduction 

11.2 Mandatory Referrals 

11.3 Guidelines 

Section 12: Religious Content

12.1 Introduction 

12.2 Guidelines  

Section 13: Re-use, Reversioning and Permanent Availability

13.1 Introduction 

13.2 Mandatory Referrals 

13.3 Guidelines 

Section 14: Independence from External Interests

14.1 Introduction 

14.2 Mandatory Referrals 

14.3 Guidelines 

Section 15: Conflicts of Interest

15.1 Introduction 

15.2 Mandatory Referrals 

15.3 Guidelines 

Section 16: External Relationships and Financing

16.1 Introduction 

16.2 Mandatory Referrals 

16.3 Guidelines 

Part A: Guidelines for All Services 

Part B: Guidelines for Public Services 

Part C: Additional Guidelines for BBC World Service Group 

Part D: Advertising and Sponsorship for BBC Commercial Services 

Part E: Content Made by BBC Commercial Services for Third Parties 

Section 17: Competitions, Votes and Interactivity

17.1 Introduction 

17.2 Mandatory Referrals 

17.3 Guidelines 

Section 18: The Law

18.1 Introduction 

18.2 Mandatory Referrals 

18.3 General   

18.4 Principal Legal Considerations