Why join the Society of Editors?

The Society of Editors works to protect the freedom of the media that is part of the universal right to freedom of expression and champions the importance of a vital news media to a democratic society.

A unique safeguard for press and broadcasting freedom, the society’s work is motivated by a desire to promote the public’s right to know and a commitment to high editorial standards and integrity.  It strives to preserve editorial independence.

It is not all talk.  Over recent months the Society of Editors has:

• Led the fight to protect the Freedom of Information Act from the government’s proposals for severe restrictions and a parliamentary exemption through high profile campaigning and the Information Rights Users Group. 
• Successfully lobbied the Attorney General for a review of contempt laws and regular liaison between the government and the media on these issues. 
• Worked to establish a website cataloguing court orders, as an easy reference for journalists.  Discussions with the Ministry of Justice are ongoing and positive. 
• Defended media interests in proposed legislation through government consultation and independent campaigning:  the draft Coroners Bill, Companies Act, Data Protection Act, recent reviews of PACE regulations, openness in the family courts and payments to witnesses and criminals, among many. The society also raised the issue of the risk to editors facing prosecution under the Sex Offenders Act. 
• Stood up for self-regulation in the Culture Media and Sport Select Committee’s inquiry, Self-Regulation of the Press.   
• Worked with other media organisations to counter the increasingly worrying trends of sports organisations imposing draconian conditions on attendance at sporting events. 
• Organised a roundtable of editors to contribute to the Commission on Integration and Cohesion’s report Our Shared Future, highlighting the media’s role in promoting social cohesion. 
• Provided the industry with the newly updated, wallet-sized version of the newspaper and magazine industry Code of Practice, so that every journalist can carry one. Publicised and supported the PCC system generally. 
• Overseen a guide to reporting poverty, in partnership with the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and the Media Trust, and continued to support work on the reporting of mental health issues. Also working with other media organisations to produce a guide to reporting mental illness. 
• Worked to maintain the highest standards in journalistic training through society representation on the NCTJ Board, as well as individual editors’ involvement on exam boards and college assessment panels.  
• Represented editors on the Media Emergencies Forum, taking part in exercises to help plan for reporting and following up lessons learnt from major terrorist incidents, a possible flu pandemic and other potential incidents. Collected feedback from the media after major incidents to feedback into the forum. 
• Extended the message of freedom of the media to local and regional newspaper editors in Russia and Bulgaria. 
• Defended the publishers’ and broadcasters’ right to report on behalf of the public and tirelessly campaigned for freedom of expression generally and the public’s right to know.

Can you afford to miss this?

The society provides members with monthly news updates, full access to its brand new website, regional networks and events [link to SoE Regional page], opportunities to meet key players from the industry and government, in addition to its first class advice and support. Members also enjoy discounts on conference attendance, publications and books, as well as Commonwealth Press Union membership.