1. Purpose of This Guidance
This guidance explains how UKPoliticsDecoded balances the public's right to know with individuals' rights to privacy and respect for private life. It sets out the principles we follow when considering whether to publish information that might intrude upon someone's privacy, and provides practical examples of how these principles are applied.
This guidance supports our commitment to the IMPRESS Standards Code and helps ensure that our journalism serves the public interest while respecting individual rights.
2. Fundamental Privacy Principles
Core Principles
- Respect for Privacy: Everyone has a right to respect for their private and family life
- Proportionality: Any intrusion must be proportionate to the public interest served
- Public Interest Test: Intrusion is only justified where there is a clear, demonstrable public interest
- Least Intrusive Means: We seek the least intrusive way to serve the public interest
- Consent Where Possible: We seek consent for publication where practical and appropriate
3. What Constitutes Private Information
Private information includes, but is not limited to:
- Personal relationships and family matters
- Health information and medical conditions
- Financial circumstances (unless of public relevance)
- Home addresses and personal contact details
- Private correspondence and communications
- Information about children and family members
- Personal lifestyle choices that do not affect public duties
Information may be private even if it is technically available in public records or social media.
4. Public Interest Considerations
We may consider publication of private information where there is a genuine public interest, including:
- Exposing wrongdoing, corruption, or abuse of power
- Revealing conflicts of interest that affect public duties
- Protecting public safety or health
- Ensuring transparency in public institutions
- Holding public officials accountable for their actions
- Correcting misleading public statements
Public curiosity or entertainment value alone does not constitute public interest.
5. Special Protections
5.1 Children and Young People
We apply heightened privacy protections for anyone under 18, including:
- Generally avoiding identification unless there is an overriding public interest
- Not publishing school names, addresses, or other identifying details
- Considering the long-term impact of publication on the child's welfare
- Seeking parental consent where appropriate and possible
5.2 Vulnerable People
We take particular care when reporting involves:
- Individuals with mental health conditions
- Victims of crime or trauma
- People lacking mental capacity
- Those experiencing grief or distress
5.3 Private Citizens
Individuals not engaged in public life receive enhanced privacy protection:
- Higher threshold for public interest
- Greater emphasis on consent
- More careful consideration of proportionality
6. "No Press Intrusion" Requests
Respecting Privacy Requests
Where individuals have expressed a desire for no press intrusion:
- We respect these requests unless there is an overriding public interest
- We do not contact the individual or their family members
- We avoid publishing identifying information
- We ensure contributors are aware of such requests
Any decision to override such a request requires careful consideration and senior editorial approval.
7. Use of Publicly Available Information
Even when information is publicly accessible, we consider:
- Whether the individual had a reasonable expectation of limited disclosure
- The context in which the information was originally shared
- Whether republication could cause disproportionate harm
- The time that has elapsed since original publication
- Whether the public interest justifies wider circulation
We do not automatically publish personal information simply because it appears elsewhere online.
8. Practical Decision Making Process
Step 1: Identify Privacy Issues
Does the information relate to someone's private life?
Step 2: Assess Public Interest
Is there a genuine, demonstrable public interest in publication?
Step 3: Consider Proportionality
Is the intrusion proportionate to the public interest served?
Step 4: Explore Alternatives
Can the public interest be served with less intrusive means?
Step 5: Final Decision
Document the reasoning and proceed with caution
9. When in Doubt
When facing difficult privacy decisions, we:
- Err on the side of caution and respect for privacy
- Seek additional editorial review
- Consider consulting external legal or ethical advisors
- Document our reasoning thoroughly
- Remember that publication cannot easily be undone
10. Review and Updates
This guidance is reviewed regularly to ensure it remains current with:
- Legal developments in privacy law
- IMPRESS Standards Code requirements
- Best practice in ethical journalism
- Evolving social expectations of privacy
Updates will be published on this page.