Online service guidelines - British Council

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	Read our Online Services Guidelines by downloading a PDF version (187Kb).

Guidelines

	British Council Online Services Guidelines

		Section 1: The British Council's Editorial Values
		We are committed to delivering the highest editorial and ethical standards in the provision of our content and services on all platforms both in the UK and around the world. Compliance with these guidelines are mandatory to help maintain this reputation.

		Section 2: Editorial responsibility
		Any operational team placing material on a British Council site must take editorial responsibility for all forms of online content including text pages at every stage of their existence.

		Section 3: Accuracy
		Our commitment to accuracy is a core editorial value and fundamental to our reputation. Our output must be well-sourced, based on sound evidence, thoroughly tested and presented in clear language. We must be honest and open about what we don’t know and avoid unfounded speculation. If an issue is controversial, relevant opinions as well as facts may need to be considered.

		Section 4: Fairness, contributors and consent
		The British Council strives to be fair to all – fair to those who are the subjects of our content, fair to contributors, and fair to our audiences.

		Section 5: Privacy
		We must not infringe privacy without good reason. In order to exercise our rights of freedom of expression and information, we must work within a framework that respects an individual’s privacy and treats him or her fairly.

		Section 6: Harm and offence
		We balance our right to publish innovative and challenging content with our responsibility to protect the vulnerable.

		Section 7: Children
		We aim to provide children with challenging, educative, enjoyable and interesting content to help them make sense of the world in which they live. But, at the same time, we must take all reasonable measures to safeguard the welfare of children and young people - both as contributors and consumers of content.

		Section 8: Politics, elections and polling
		The principles relating to our non-political status are set out in the British Council’s Charter. The British Council is a non-political organisation.

		Section 9: War, terror and emergencies
		We have a special responsibility to UK and international audiences when hosting discussions on our websites at times of conflict. At such times some of our audiences may expect us to provide space online for a wide range of views and opinions which other audiences may find challenging. We will only do this in ways which make our positive intent to increase intercultural understanding explicit.

		Section 10: Religion
		We respect the fundamental human right to exercise freedom of thought, conscience and religion. This includes an individual’s freedom to worship, teach, practise and observe. At the same time, we recognise our duty to protect the vulnerable and avoid unjustified offence or likely harm.

		Section 11: Equal opportunities and diversity
		Our values are based on mutuality, professionalism, integrity, creativity and valuing people. We are committed to representing the full diversity of the United Kingdom in our work. Everything published on our websites must be consistent with these values.

		Section 12: Links to external sites (including for software downloads)
		Our global reputation is based on its status as a non-political body working for mutuality. We must not undermine these values by any actions which could bring the British Council into disrepute.

		Section 13: Credits for outside providers of material
		We seek to offer fair and appropriate credits on our websites. We normally give production credits, credits for the supply of material by third parties, credits for some outside events and credits for some software providers.

		Section 14: Partnerships, including Partnerships with business
		We are committed to working collaboratively with others to deepen the impact of our activities and extend creative possibilities. Working in partnership is a crucial element of our approach. We only enter into such arrangements where our objectives are complementary with the objectives of our partners.

		Section 15: Interacting with our audiences
		Interactivity allows our audiences to engage with us in many different ways. It provides choice and gives opportunities to be heard, and to create content. We aim to offer it to everyone by using our different platforms in different ways, but we will not exclude visitors who do not choose to interact.

		Section 16: The Law
		British Council website authors must seek the advice of British Council lawyers whenever legal problems are encountered or suspected.

		Section 17: Accountability and complaints
		We are accountable to our audiences. Their continuing trust in the British Council is a crucial part of our contract with them. We will act in good faith by dealing fairly and openly with them.

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The United Kingdom’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities.
A registered charity: 209131 (England and Wales) SC037733 (Scotland)
Registered in Singapore as a branch (T09FC0012J) and as a charity (No 0768).
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