Code of Conduct on Images and Messages

1. Preface
This Code of Conduct on Images and Messages has been written by NGOs working in the areas of
emergency relief, long term development and development education.
The purpose of this Code of Conduct is to provide a framework on which organisations can build when
designing and implementing their public communications strategy. The Code offers a set of
guiding principles that can assist practitioners in their efforts to communicate their organisation’s
programmes and values in a coherent and balanced way.
Signatories to this Code are acutely aware of the many challenges and difficulties entailed in conveying the scandal and injustice of poverty while striving to meet the ideals of the Code. It is a reality of our world today that many of the images of
extreme poverty and humanitarian distress are negative and cannot be ignored. To ignore them
would run counter to the spirit of this Code which is to portray the reality of the lives of people with
sensitivity and respect for their dignity.
Images and messages should seek to represent a complete picture of both internal and external assistance and the partnership that often results between local and international NGOs.
The values of human dignity, respect and truthfulness as outlined in the Code, must underlie all communications. The signatories to this Code are committed to these principles, and will translate them into internal policies and procedures.
They are also committed to working constructively with others whose work involves communicating on issues of
global poverty, to explore ways of reflecting these principles in other fields of communication.
By signing and promoting this Code, NGOs will continue to keep the development agenda very much in the public eye and to look beyond the sound bite or single image to reflect the values espoused in thisCode.

2. Code of Conduct on Images and Messages
a. Guiding Principles
Choices of images and messages will be made based on the paramount principles of:
• Respect for the dignity of the people concerned;
• Belief in the equality of all people;
• Acceptance of the need to promote fairness,
solidarity and justice.
Accordingly, in all our communications and where
practical and reasonable within the need to reflect
reality, we strive to:
• Choose images and related messages based on values of respect equality, solidarity and justice;
• Truthfully represent any image or depicted situation both in its immediate and in its wider
context so as to improve public understanding
of the realities and complexities of
development;
• Avoid images and messages that potentially stereotype, sensationalise or discriminate against people, situations or places;
• Use images, messages and case studies with the full understanding, participation and permission of the subjects (or subjects’ parents/guardian);
• Ensure those whose situation is being represented have the opportunity to communicate their stories themselves;
• Establish and record whether the subjects wish to be named or identifiable and always act accordingly;
• Conform to the highest standards in relation to human rights and protection of the vulnerable people.
b. Declaration of Commitment
As signatories to this Code, we confirm that our commitment to best practice in communications affects the entirety of our organisation.
By signing the Code, we commit to putting in place meaningful mechanisms to ensure that the Code’s principles are implemented throughout all activities of our organisation.
Our responsibilities as a signatory to this Code lead us to be accountable in our public communications as follows:
1. We will make the existence of the Code known to the public and all our partners and will provide a feedback mechanism whereby anyone
can comment on the fulfilment of the Code and where any member of the public will have a ‘right to challenge’ our application of the Code.
2. We will communicate our commitment to best practice in the communication of images and messages in all our public policy statements by
placing the following statement on our relevant public communications (annual reports, website, policy statements, governance documents, leaflets and communication materials etc):
“<Named Organisation> has signed the code of
conduct on images and messages
(www.namedorganisation.org/code) please send
your feedback to code@namedorganisation.org”
3. We commit to assess our public communications on an annual basis according to the guiding
principles.
4. We will include reference to adherence to the Code in the guiding principles of our organisation
and ensure that the top management take the responsibility of implementing and adhering to
the code.
5. We will ensure that all relevant suppliers, contractors and media will adhere to the Code when working with our organisation.
6. We commit to training our staff on the use of images and messages.
7. We agree to share our experience of implementing the Code with other signatory organisations and will report annually to Dóchas
on this experience.