The guide, which was officially launched in the House of Commons yesterday, was produced with input and support from the Press Complaints Commission, editors and website operators and interested parties. It aims to aid understanding of potential threats of online comment that can include hate crime and suggests ways moderators of media sites can address it.
At a local level, the guide should assist local partners to continue to lead on controlling access to harmful and inappropriate content in places such as schools.
The report was written by Professor Peter Cole, Emeritus Professor of Journalism at Sheffield University. Board members of the Society of Editors also contributed to its content and the report was based on a survey of media and other websites.
Bob Satchwell, executive director of the Society of Editors, said: “As an organisation that fights for media freedom, it is not for the Society of Editors to lay down rules and regulations but we are happy to shine a light on good practice born of experience behind some of the most followed websites.
"We hope the guide will make an important contribution to understanding how vulnerable people can be protected without interfering with freedom of expression.”
The guide will be available under Resources on the Society of Editors website.
