NZ Media World

Why was IJC created? | Membership Requirements | What do I get for my membership? | Code of Ethics | Complaints Procedure | IJC Charter | HOWTO | Disclaimer

The Independent Journalist Collective (IJC) is a developing New Zealand member-based organisation dedicated to assisting both independent and commercial journalists by providing:

• Journalist accreditation and identification
• A recognised press identification card with member verification
• A professional Code of Ethics
• A transparent complaints and disciplinary process
• Professional standards and accountability for members
• A collective network of journalists committed to ethical reporting

Membership of the IJC may assist journalists in identifying themselves to event organisers, public bodies, courts, councils, and other organisations where media access is available. However, membership does not guarantee access to any event, venue, or institution, as access decisions remain the responsibility of the relevant organisation.

Why was IJC created?

Most New Zealanders now receive their news and information from online sources. However, many public institutions, including government agencies, councils, courts, and other organisations, have not updated their media policies to reflect this shift. Independent journalists, new media publishers, and online commentators are often excluded from the same access afforded to traditional media organisations.

In some cases, outdated accreditation requirements are being used to prevent journalists from reporting on matters of public interest. A notable example involved veteran journalist Jenny Ruth, who was excluded from a Human Rights Review Tribunal hearing after the tribunal determined she was not an "accredited journalist" because she was an independent writer and not affiliated with the New Zealand Media Council.

Other countries have taken a more modern approach. In the United States, the White House has established a dedicated seating section for "new media" outlets in its briefing room. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced the initiative to provide access for independent journalists, online creators, and social media publishers, recognising the changing nature of the media landscape.

Unfortunately, New Zealand has been slow to adopt similar policies. That's why the Independent Journalist Collective (IJC) was created.

The IJC provides the key elements commonly expected of professional journalists and media organisations, including:

• Affiliation with a recognised journalism body
• Independent oversight and accountability
• Journalist identification credentials
• Accreditation and professional standards

The goal is to help ensure that independent journalists, commentators, and new media publishers can be readily identified as legitimate members of New Zealand's media community.

Membership Requirements

To become a member of the Independent Journalist Collective, applicants must:

1. Be actively engaged in journalism, news reporting, commentary, media production, or a related field.
2. Provide the names of two current IJC members who are willing to sponsor and support their application.
3. Have at least:
   - 2000 Followers on a Social Media channel (personal or parent company), or
   - Proof of publications in Broadcast or Print media with an audience of over 2000.
4. Agree to comply with the IJC Code of Ethics and all membership policies.
5. Pay the annual membership fee of NZD $50 plus GST.
6. Provide accurate contact information and identification details required for membership verification.
7. When reporting an event, using your IJC card identification, also submit a link to your story so we can share it early with other IJC members to help promote your journalism.

Membership Verification

Each member receives an official IJC Press Identification Card containing:

• Member name
• Membership number
• Member photograph (where applicable)
• QR code linking to the member's verification profile which also displays membership Expiry date
• The back of the IJC Press Identification Card contains a summary of our Code of Conduct and Personal Contact Details for event organisers.

Event organisers, public bodies, and members of the public may use the QR code to verify the current membership status of the card holder.

What do I get for my membership?

1. 3 x PVC Credit Card sized cards infused with your Photo, Company Name, Verification ID number and QR code linking back to our website to validate your membership.
2. On the back of each card are your Contact Details, IJC Code of Ethics and other important information - None of your contact details will be available to the public on our website; they are only available on the back of your card so only You can choose to share them.
3. 1 x lanyard with a "badge retractor" so you can wear your Press Card around your neck but easily extended it out to be verified on both sides.
4. A unique ID and URL that is printed on the card, but you can also share online, to prove your active membership and that you have been verified as an IJC Journalist member.
5. Direct access to support via Phone, Email and Social from NZ Media World.

Register your interest in becoming an IJC Journalist here: Register Interest

Code of Ethics

All members of the Independent Journalist Collective agree to uphold the following principles:

1. Accuracy and Truthfulness
   Members must take reasonable steps to ensure information is accurate, factual, and properly verified before publication.
2. Fairness and Balance
   Members should make reasonable efforts to present relevant viewpoints and avoid knowingly misleading audiences through omission or distortion.
3. Independence
   Members must act independently and avoid conflicts of interest that could compromise their reporting.
4. Transparency
   Where errors occur, members should correct them promptly and transparently.
5. Respect and Privacy
   Members should respect personal privacy except where disclosure serves a clear and legitimate public interest.
6. Accountability
   Members accept responsibility for their published work and agree to cooperate with legitimate complaints investigations.
7. Integrity
   Members must not knowingly publish false information, fabricated content, manipulated evidence, or misleading material.
8. Lawful Conduct
   Members must conduct their journalism in accordance with New Zealand law.

Complaints Procedure

The Independent Journalist Collective provides a process for addressing concerns regarding member conduct.

Making a Complaint
Any person may submit a written complaint regarding a member's conduct or alleged breach of the Code of Ethics.
Complaints should include:

• The complainant's name and contact details
• The member's name
• A description of the alleged breach
• Relevant evidence or supporting material

Investigation

1. The complaint will be reviewed by the IJC Membership Committee.
2. The member concerned will be given an opportunity to respond.
3. Relevant evidence will be considered.
4. A determination will be made within a reasonable time-frame.

Outcomes
The committee may:

• Dismiss the complaint
• Issue guidance or a warning
• Require corrective action
• Suspend membership
• Cancel membership

Appeals
Members may request a review of any disciplinary decision within 30 days of receiving notification.
The complaints process is intended to reflect the principles of fairness, natural justice, transparency, and accountability commonly applied within New Zealand media standards frameworks.

What Next?
Once our investigation is complete, we'll contact you regarding our ruling and actions taken.

Submit a complaint

Cancellation of Membership

Membership may be suspended or cancelled if:

• A member no longer satisfies membership requirements.
• A member breaches the IJC Code of Ethics.
• A member provides false or misleading information during the application process.
• Annual membership fees remain unpaid.
• Both sponsors withdraw their support and the member fails to secure replacement sponsors within 90 days.
• A disciplinary investigation determines that continued membership would damage the integrity or reputation of the Collective.

Membership will not be cancelled solely because members disagree with a journalist's opinions, lawful reporting, or editorial positions.

IJC Charter

The Independent Journalist Collective is founded on the following principles:

• Freedom of the Press
  A free and independent press is essential to a democratic society.
• Editorial Independence
  Members retain complete editorial independence and are not required to follow any political, commercial, or ideological viewpoint.
• Professional Standards
  Members are expected to maintain high standards of journalism and conduct.
• Transparency and Accountability
  The Collective promotes responsible journalism through clear standards and a fair complaints process.
• Equal Opportunity
  Membership is open to eligible journalists regardless of employer, political views, ethnicity, religion, gender, or background.
• Public Interest Journalism
  Members are encouraged to pursue reporting that informs the public, promotes transparency, and contributes to public understanding of issues of legitimate public interest.

HOWTO

This section is still under construction and will explain how to gain access, as Press, to different orgainsatiions such as courts, councils and government.

Disclaimer

The Independent Journalist Collective is a membership organisation. Membership does not confer legal authority, special privileges, or guaranteed access to any location, event, institution, court, council, parliamentary facility, or restricted area. Access decisions remain at the discretion of the relevant authority or event organiser.

The Independent Journalist Collective (IJC) was created and is managed by NZ Media World which is a "Not for Profit" division of Spinning Planet Limited (Operating since 2002) that is owned by Brynn Neilson.

Register your interest in becoming an IJC Journalist here: Register Interest