3 Acceptability Of Outside Commitments
3.1 Writing Commitments
Programme makers, editorial staff, reporters and presenters may all wish to undertake journalistic work or write books. Any such activity should not bring the BBC into disrepute or undermine the integrity or impartiality of BBC programmes or presenters.
Programme makers and editorial staff
No BBC staff journalist can write a regular newspaper or magazine column dealing with current affairs or matters of current public policy debate or political or industrial controversy. The only circumstances in which BBC staff journalists may write such an article will be in the context of BBC marketing for one of its programmes, or in support of the BBC or its interests, where the article has been submitted in good time to a divisional manager responsible for vetting such articles, and sent in for publication by the BBC Press Office or syndication after publication by BBC News Online.
Non-controversial columns, covering such matters as restaurant or cultural reviews may be agreed, subject to the vetting procedure set out above.
Presenters and freelance reporters
The same rules apply to news and current affairs freelance presenters and reporters in News, Global News and Nations and Regions, except where the relevant divisional Director has agreed in advance and that the individual does not derive their main external status from their work for the BBC.
In other programme areas, the relevant Director or Head of Department should normally ask to see articles about subject matter which could give rise to a conflict of interest.
In some cases, with permission from the relevant Director or Head of Department, presenters or reporters may write a book about a current topic provided it is not likely to compromise the integrity or impartiality of the BBC. In such cases, if the viewpoint expressed turns out to be controversial or one-sided, editors should consider whether to allow the presenter to cover on-air the issue which they have written about. If there is any possibility of a conflict of interest, the relevant Director or Head of Department should give very careful consideration as to whether there is an actual conflict and whether they should declare that interest on air or not present items or conduct interviews on the issue.
Letters to the press
Programme makers, editorial staff, reporters and presenters primarily associated with the BBC should also clear with Heads of Department any letters to the press if they deal with the subject matter of the programmes, any political, public policy or controversial issue, or relate to the BBC or broadcasting. Even presenters who only occasionally present programmes for the BBC should normally clear letters relevant to the subject matter of their programmes if they are to be published around the time of transmission.
3.2 Public speaking and other public appearances
Programme makers, those with editorial responsibility and any other BBC employees should seek permission from their Head of Department before undertaking outside public appearances or public speaking commitments. It is important that no such commitment should be seen to undermine the objectivity or integrity of the BBC or its programmes. Public appearances which are promotional for a particular commercial concern are unlikely to be acceptable.
Presenters
Presenters of BBC programmes may well gain a significant proportion of their income from off-air public appearances. However, presenters in all genres must guard against appearances which undermine their on-air role. Promotional appearances have to be considered very carefully and must not imply BBC endorsement. Presenters should consult the relevant Heads of Department about any appearance connected with the subject matter of their programme.
Presenters of News and Current Affairs programmes
In the case of those known to the public primarily as presenters of, or reporters on, BBC news programmes and programmes about current affairs, there is a greater possibility of conflict of interest. Care must be taken to ensure that they remain impartial when speaking publicly (see section 2.1 above) and do not promote any political party, campaigning organisation or lobby group which may jeopardise their status as an impartial broadcaster. The chairing of conferences may well be acceptable, but it is essential that the conference is not a promotional exercise or one-sided on an issue of public controversy. They should consult the relevant Head of Department about the suitability of public appearances and conference work. The onus is on the presenters and reporters to inform the relevant Head of Department about the range of public appearances which they undertake.
3.3 References to the BBC
BBC people, freelances or presenters clearly associated with BBC programmes should not speak or write publicly about the BBC without specific, prior approval from the relevant Head of Department or Director. BBC people should also clear any references to the broadcasting industry. As well as concerns about bringing the BBC into disrepute, it should be borne in mind that the BBC cannot be seen to endorse outside organisations and it is essential that no promotional use is made of the BBC's name or brand.
3.4 Media Training
It may be appropriate for BBC presenters, editorial people or programme makers to speak publicly at conferences or to interested bodies about broadcasting. However, there are considerable dangers of a conflict of interest if BBC people train individuals or organisations in how to present themselves on television, radio or online. Producers, editors and journalistic staff must obtain permission from their manager before undertaking any outside training work. Presenters, producers and editors should not train people they are likely to interview or who are likely to appear on the programmes for which they are responsible. We should ask freelance presenters about their commitments in this area to ensure there is no conflict of interest.
Presenters involved in News, Current Affairs, topical programmes or consumer programmes should not interview anyone they have trained and it is very unlikely that it will be acceptable for producers or editorial people in these areas to undertake any outside coaching on how to appear on air.
3.5 Charities and campaigning organisations
Any work undertaken for a charity should not imply BBC endorsement for a particular cause, or endorsement of one charity over another. There are particular difficulties if the charity deals with matters of controversial public policy and is a campaigning organisation. Programme people in all areas should be careful of involving themselves in lobbying campaigns.
Presenters and editorial people in news, current affairs, topical and consumer programmes should take particular care and they should not normally associate themselves with any campaigning body, particularly if it backs one viewpoint in a controversial area of policy. It is unlikely to be appropriate for a news presenter to front a campaign for a charity or campaigning body as this could undermine the BBC's reputation for impartiality.
Heads of Department should be consulted about any work for charities and campaigning groups and advice may be sought from Editorial Policy. For further guidance see Chapter 30: Social Action Programming, Campaigning Groups and Charities. There are separate guidelines for the BBC Children in Need Appeal.