The Regulatory and Ethical Framework
IPSO Editors’ Code Clause 12 (Discrimination) prohibits publications from including irrelevant references to a person’s age, disability, gender, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, or marital or civil partner status. The prohibition covers both pejorative language and references that are simply not germane to the story. Clause 12 applies to individuals, not to general commentary on groups, which is addressed (less prescriptively) through Clause 1 accuracy obligations.
The NUJ Code of Conduct goes further, requiring members to “only mention a person’s age, disability, gender, race, colour, creed, legal status, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity where relevant.” NUJ produces community-specific guidance on LGBTQ+, race, disability, and religion reporting. IMPRESS Standards Code Article 12 mirrors these obligations for its regulated publishers.
Beyond regulatory compliance, inclusive reporting reflects the reality that communities are not monolithic. Generalising from one individual’s actions to an entire religious, ethnic, or identity community is both inaccurate and harmful. Index on Censorship tracks the chilling effect of discriminatory reporting on minority press freedom and public participation. See also: Diversity and Inclusive Reporting UK.
Community-Specific Standards
LGBTQ+ Reporting
Use the terminology preferred by individuals and communities. Do not out individuals without their consent — this may cause serious harm. Avoid outdated terms. Do not frame being LGBTQ+ as inherently relevant to unrelated stories. The NUJ publishes a specific LGBTQ+ reporting guide. For transgender reporting, follow Stonewall and Press for Change guidance on preferred pronouns and name usage.
Muslim Reporting
Do not equate Islam with terrorism or extremism. Clause 12 prohibits references to religion in crime stories unless directly relevant. Do not use "Muslim" as a shorthand for ethnic appearance or heritage. Seek comment from relevant Muslim community organisations rather than framing coverage exclusively through a security lens. Islamophobia is formally defined by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims as "rooted in racism".
Jewish Reporting
Antisemitism in reporting can be explicit or coded — watch for tropes relating to financial power, dual loyalty, or conspiratorial agency. The IHRA working definition of antisemitism provides a reference framework. Distinguish between reporting on Israel-Palestine (political matter) and Jewish identity (protected characteristic). Religious dietary, sabbath, and cultural practices should be explained accurately and without condescension.
Black British Reporting
Do not cite race in crime reporting unless it is directly relevant. Avoid framing that positions Black communities primarily in relation to crime, deprivation, or social problem narratives. Seek sources from within communities rather than relying on institutional spokespeople alone. NUJ race reporting guidance and the Runnymede Trust both provide reference frameworks.
Disability Reporting
Avoid inspiration framing ("overcoming" disability) and tragedy framing. Do not assume disability limits capacity or agency. Language varies by community: many autistic people prefer identity-first language; many people with physical impairments prefer person-first. Ask where possible. SCOPE and Disability Rights UK provide guidance. Do not describe non-disabled as "normal".
Neurodivergent Reporting
Autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other neurological differences are not mental illnesses. Avoid conflating neurodivergence with dangerousness or criminality. Do not use diagnostic labels as casual pejorative descriptors. Many neurodivergent people identify positively with their neurotype; avoid framing that presents neurodivergence solely as deficit.
Red Flags
- ⚠Citing religion, race, or sexual orientation in a crime story where it is not relevant to the alleged offence
- ⚠Using outdated or pejorative terminology for any protected characteristic
- ⚠Framing a community exclusively through a crime or security lens
- ⚠Quoting institutional sources only, without community voices
- ⚠Failing to check preferred terminology with individuals or communities
- ⚠Inspiration or tragedy framing for disability coverage
- ⚠Using diagnostic labels as casual descriptors or insults
Diversity Reporting Checklist
Ethics & Language Tools
Review the full diversity and inclusive reporting guidance, and use the Ethics Flowchart to check whether a reference to a protected characteristic is justified.
Common Mistakes
- ›Treating Clause 12 as covering only slurs: Clause 12 applies to irrelevant references as well as pejorative language. Mentioning that a person charged with tax evasion is Muslim, where religion is not relevant to the offence, may breach Clause 12 even if no pejorative language is used.
- ›Assuming community consensus: Communities are not monolithic. The preferred terminology, level of self-identification, and political views within any community span a wide range. Seek a range of voices and do not treat any single spokesperson as authoritative for an entire group.
- ›Confusing national origin with religion: A person from a Muslim-majority country is not necessarily Muslim. A person with a Jewish surname is not necessarily Jewish. Never assume religious identity from ethnicity, name, or national origin.
- ›Ignoring intersectionality: Individuals hold multiple identities simultaneously. A story about a Black Muslim woman intersects race, religion, and gender. Each dimension requires its own reporting standards. Do not treat any single characteristic as the primary lens without editorial justification.