Guidelines for UWESU Student Media.

Purpose of Guidelines:

The following guidelines outline some core principles and best practice for UWESU Student Media and its relationship with UWE Students’ Union.

Definition: Currently (October 2008) UWESU Student Media includes the main student publications Western Eye and WestWorld, the student radio station the Hub Radio station, the photography and video team, the SU website and campus based publications (when active).

Overall Approach:

• UWE student opinion is varied and diverse and Student Media is an outlet for the expression of many views even if these are in opposition to the editorial position or official view of the Students' Union and its elected officers.
• Student Media will provide a forum for debate and discussion on issues that affect the members of UWESU.
• The Union recognises the need for student led media that informs the student body on issues that affect them.

Student Media will abide by:

• Legal requirements.
• National Union of Journalists (NUJ) Code of Conduct
• Press Complaints Commission (PCC) Code of Practice
• The Ofcom Broadcasting Code
• The UWESU constitution and its laws.
• UWESU policies passed by the decision-making bodies of the Union.

Media Codes (NUJ, PCC, Ofcom)

Editors, station managers, contributors and presenters must abide by the media codes that define best practice for the media industry.

Rights of the Union:

1. The Union, its officers and staff have the right to reply to any material published or broadcast within its media which is deemed appropriate to respond to. The Student Media must provide the Union with copies of such material in advance of deadlines in order to reply within the same issue. Where this is not possible, space must be reserved in the next available edition/transmission for publication/broadcasting.

2. The Union, its officers and staff have the right to be accurately reported on.

3. The Union reserves the right to ensure that its Student Media does not produce material which contravenes Union policy.

4. The Union has the right to expect that Student Media will provide appropriate opportunities to communicate to the student body.

Responsibilities of UWESU:

1. UWESU is responsible for providing access to information, elected officers, and any other such information requested by the student media.

2. UWESU is responsible for the adequate provision of resources to the student media to ensure their continued service.

Rights of Student Media:

1. Student Media have the right to publish/broadcast content it deems newsworthy and of interest to the student body (subject to legal requirements and other limitations stated earlier in this document).

2. Student Media have the right to have access to information, elected officers of the Union, and other such material it deems newsworthy so as to better inform the student body (subject to legal and other limitations).

3. Student Media have the right to suitable support from the Union in terms of funding, equipment provision, office space and general support so as to maintain their existence and levels of service.

4. Student Media have the right of freedom of the press.

Responsibilities of Student Media:

1. 1. To ensure all members are aware of and abide by the media codes of the NUJ, PCC and Ofcom.

2. To ensure that all information published/broadcasted is as accurate as possible.

3. To promote the Union to the membership and to work towards the good of the student community with the Students’ Union.

Handling of Complaints about Student Media at UWE:

These guidelines and the media codes of the NUJ, PCC & Ofcom should be used to handle the investigation of complaints against UWE’s student media. An investigation should determine if a breach of these guidelines or codes have been made.