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The latest revision of the Â鶹Éç's Editorial Guidelines have been published today.

Written by the Â鶹Éç Executive and approved by the Â鶹Éç Trust they are available to programme makers and the public at , the Guidelines set out the standards expected of everyone making or presenting the Â鶹Éç's output on TV on radio and online, and are reviewed every five years.

The revised Guidelines take into account the changes and developments that have occurred both within the Â鶹Éç and the broadcasting industry since the last update in 2005, and reflect feedback from audiences following a public consultation by the Â鶹Éç Trust. In addition the Â鶹Éç Academy has launched a range of online, interactive learning modules to support the roll out of the new Editorial Guidelines. The modules will also be available to the wider public at bbcacademy.com/editorialstandards.

The new edition of the Editorial Guidelines:

• For the first time clearly lays out the editorial policy principles which reflect the Â鶹Éç's values and standards
• Emphasises the importance of content producers using their own best judgement when making editorial decisions, in tandem with a new emphasis on the importance of taking advice from more senior people, and a requirement on those senior people to give help and support in making the right decisions
• Introduces the concept of "due accuracy". This clarifies that accuracy is a consideration for all Â鶹Éç output but its requirements vary. For example, the nature of accuracy required of drama and comedy may not be the same as for news and current affairs
• Widens the application of the requirement for "due impartiality" to all output
• Requires that potentially offensive material is judged against "Generally Accepted Standards" the term used in the Â鶹Éç Agreement and the Ofcom Broadcasting Code

In addition, the Guidelines have been re-thought and restructured taking account of the lessons learned from some very serious editorial failings – over competitions, over intrusion and over misleading audiences. A section on Conflicts of Interest has been reinstated.

New technology and new media has also evolved hugely in the past five years and this edition of the Editorial Guidelines has now incorporated the Online Guidelines which were previously separate.

Mark Thompson, Â鶹Éç Director General said today: "I want those making content for the Â鶹Éç, be it on television, radio or online to use their own best judgement. The Editorial Guidelines are there to enable programme makers to make those judgements and ensure that our output meets the high standards of quality and creativity audiences expect of the Â鶹Éç."

David Jordan, Director Â鶹Éç Editorial Policy and Standards, said: "The Editorial Guidelines are there to help programme-makers create brilliant content. The high standards that are expected of Â鶹Éç output is absolutely clear and these Guidelines can ensure that we continue delivering impartial journalism, edgy comedy, thrilling dramas and all the content we know the Â鶹Éç is uniquely placed to make consistent with the Â鶹Éç’s enduring editorial values."

Notes to Editors

The Â鶹Éç Executive reviews its Editorial Guidelines every five years. The last edition was published in 2005. The Â鶹Éç Trust are responsible for commissioning the Guidelines for the first time as stipulated in the Agreement to the Â鶹Éç's Royal Charter 2006.

The revised Editorial Guidelines come in to effect at 00.01 on Monday 18 October.

Training modules can be accessed at or via Gateway for Â鶹Éç staff.

The Â鶹Éç Academy, launched in December 2009, is the Â鶹Éç's centre for training. It houses the Colleges of Journalism, Production, Leadership and the Centre of Technology. The Â鶹Éç Academy aims to put training and development at the heart of broadcasting by equipping both Â鶹Éç staff and the wider industry with the skills they need for a lifetime of employability in an ever-changing media landscape.

The Â鶹Éç Academy modules have been made by .

Â鶹Éç Press Office