Journalistic Standards and Practices

IV. PRODUCTION STANDARDS

C: ONLINE POLICIES

3. USER INPUT

Online activities of the CBC create an opportunity for Canadians to take part in a public dialogue on the issues of the day. With the use of message boards, chat rooms, e-mail and other tools of interactivity, the CBC can create online public forums for conversation, opinion and dialogue.

This opportunity creates new responsibilities for programmers. Care must be taken to maintain the principles of fairness, integrity and balance in publishing these exchanges.

The CBC exercises editorial control in the creation of the forums and the selection of topics. The public contributes the opinions, thoughts and content.

All interactive activities are moderated by CBC programmers. All interactive activities are governed by a list of rules clearly posted on the web site. Such rules cover a wide range of issues such as legal requirements, appropriate language, civility and matters of taste. Moderation by the CBC ensures that the rules are followed.

Participants in CBC discussions must register and identify themselves.

Online information provided by third parties may raise legal issues particular to this form of communication. CBC employees may obtain a summary and interpretation of the applicable law from the CBC Law Department.

Reference:
IV.B.4. Good Taste