11/30/05

AP Releases Policy on News Values and Principles

NEW YORK -- The Associated Press has adopted a comprehensive set of policies on standards and practices in journalism, guiding everything from the use of anonymous sources to quotations and datelines.

The statement, produced over the past year by leaders of AP’s news departments, constitutes the most detailed and thorough enunciation of news values and principles in the organization’s 157-year history. AP has long been an industry leader in media policies on issues such as the use of anonymous sources.

“We're extremely proud of this document, which is the product of many months of work and discussion involving editorial staff around the globe,” said Mike Silverman, AP vice president and managing editor. “We believe it does an excellent job of setting forth the core beliefs and standards that govern the men and women of the AP in producing the finest news report in the world.”

Because AP is a multi-media global news and information agency, the policies address all different media formats. The new statement codifies many existing AP news policies and standards, such as the strict rules governing the use of background and off-the-record information. It also amplifies and expands on others to reflect the challenges and changes of current day journalism.

The Associated Press Statement of News Values and Principles is posted on the AP Web site at http://www.ap.org/pages/about/whatsnew/wn_112905.html

For more information, contact Jack Stokes, AP director of media relations, at +1 212 621 1730