Message from the Editor

Some 343,000 readers enter into a contract with the journalists of this newspaper every day. The overriding duty of Irish Times journalists is to those readers. They buy the newspaper on the understanding that they will be offered the best journalism in Ireland: reports that are honest, accurate and comprehensive; and analysis that is informed, fair and based on the facts.

Irish Times journalists face a challenging task every day to live up to the standards set for ourselves and our readers. The Irish Times Trust and its Articles of Association give the newspaper a special status among newspapers of the world by protecting its editorial content from commercial and other unhealthy sectional interests. We are the only independent newspaper in Ireland.

The reputation of The Irish Times is based, first and foremost, on being the chronicler of the news of the day. That is our primary role. We aim to present the facts after we have established them, having heard both sides of the story.

The Irish Times is also the authoritative and independent commentator and analyst on important events in the affairs of Ireland - North and South - Britain, the European Union, the United States and, where feasible, pivotal news spots in the world. We set a special store on the timely posting of Irish Times journalists abroad to present a distinctly Irish perspective to readers - as in the case of the war in Iraq.

The Irish Times is the national forum for the thinkers and doers in Irish society. We offer a platform for critical, constructive and divergent comment in the different spheres of business, politics and public affairs generally.

We have moved in recent years from being the newspaper of record to the newspaper of reference.

Most important of all, The Irish Times occupies a special position as a pacemaker for change in the society which it serves. We aim to lead and shape public opinion to a greater degree than of our competitors because we have both the natural authority and the means, through our interested and receptive readership, to do so. We are prepared to champion specific causes, as we have always done, while recognising that these causes have changed over the last decade.

We believe that readers have a right to expect that they will read something in The Irish Times every day that they have not read or heard elsewhere.

Irish Times journalists employ a modus operandi to help uphold standards in the newspaper. The truth is presented having made every reasonable effort to establish it on the basis of verifiable fact and reliable sources. During the reporting and editing process, every story is measured against taste, preference and inclination in an effort to eliminate any trace of partisanship.

We may present our readers with unpalatable realities on occasions, but we do not employ shock tactics for their own sake.

We never go to publication without seeking both sides of the story. And if, in spite of our best efforts, we cannot get one side's version, we make it clear in our report that we have made every reasonable effort to secure that information.

We do not use subterfuge to gain access to people or places. We present ourselves as Irish Times journalists.

We are conscious of our power and responsibility when we deal with issues or events that touch upon the private lives of individuals. We try to act sensitively at times of stress and trauma, and we do not exploit the vulnerability of individuals.

We are scrupulous to quote our sources accurately, but we do not accede to requests from them to vet copy before publication. We will never compromise or reveal a source which has confided in us. We hold fast to this principle whether we face jail or fine or any other pressure.

We are acutely aware that the readers of The Irish Times are as unique, in some ways, as the newspaper that serves them. They identify with the paper but they do not want to be taken for granted. They want to be informed and then make up their own minds. Fact is sacred, and comment is free. We clearly separate one from the other. Our readers want access to the raw facts themselves and then they like to accept, or reject, our analysis of what they mean.

Above all else, we commit ourselves to accuracy. If we fail the test of accuracy, we are failing the most essential test of our profession. We recognise, of course, that journalism in a daily newspaper operates in a deadline-driven environment in which mistakes can, and will, happen. When we get it wrong, we say so. Since 1989, readers can make contact with their representative in the Editor's Office to act on their behalf - seeking corrections or clarifications or explaining why none is warranted, as appropriate.

We welcome readers' views - be it to the Letters to the Editor page, through email, fax, postal or telephoned response. The Irish Times's irishtimes.com website is the online vehicle for readers to have recourse to a genuine hearing for their satisfaction/dissatisfaction with the newspaper's performance.

We hope that readers enjoy the newspaper every day at least half as much as we, Irish Times journalists, enjoy writing and producing it.

Geraldine Kennedy,
July 2003.