Introduction

Communication is at the heart of the church's life and mission. Christ's great commission (Matthew 28:19-20) is a mandate to communicate.

The Australasian Religious Press Association (hereafter, ARPA) urges church leaders and members to recognise the value of the religious press, which serves the mission of the church in the widest possible sense.

However, the calling of the religious press to communicate freely can sometimes be at odds with the institutional nature of the church. This Charter is intended to provide a guide for religious press editors and proprietors to establishing and maintaining appropriate relationships that will serve the long-term good of Christ's church.
In this Charter, these relationships are framed as A) the responsibilities of the religious press, and B) the responsibilities of religious press proprietors.

A) The Responsibilities of Religious Press Editors and Journalists

ARPA members (editors and journalists of the religious press and religion writers) believe the following to be their responsibilities:

1. They will "speak the truth in love", and show full respect for the right of the church and the general public to know the truth.
2. They will publish only such information, documents and pictures the sources of which are known to them. They will not knowingly suppress any important information which is in the public interest, nor will they distort any text, document or picture. They will clearly mark unconfirmed announcements as such and label photographic montages.
3. They will practise honest and legal means of obtaining information, pictures or documents.
4. They will not plagiarise.
5. They will correct any news item they have published if its content proves to be partially or fully false. Where possible they give equal prominence to corrections as to the original item.
6. They will restrain from all anonymous and unfounded accusations.
7. They will not accept any advantages or promises which might limit their professional independence or curb the freedom to express their own opinions.
8. They will not allow advertising or other commercial interests to affect the accuracy and independence of their reporting.
9. They will respect people's and organisations' right to privacy.

B) The Responsibilities of Religious Press Proprietors

ARPA members believe the following to be reasonable statements of the responsibilities of their employers:

1. That proprietors agree that religious press editors and journalists will have free access to all appropriate sources of non-confidential information (within the constraints of the law), and be free to publish information in the public interest.
2. That proprietors will not force journalists to write or publish any opinion that might be in contradiction with the principles of religious journalism or his/her conscience.
3. That proprietors will ensure a fair and adequate remuneration for work done by editors and staff and fair and adequate resources in order to fulfil their duties and responsibilities.
4. That proprietors will consult with boards, editors, and staff of religious press publications, within a reasonable time frame, before making major changes to publications that affect the ability of the editors and journalists to carry out their responsibilities listed above.
5. That proprietors will allow and encourage editors and staff to exercise their freedom of association in joining professional associations for mutual support and professional development.