SEN Online News Standards {{searchText}}

Online News Standards – Sports Entertainment Network (SEN)

Sports Entertainment Network (“SEN”) recognises the importance of fair and accurate news content within its broadcast communities online via its websites, podcasts and apps (“Channels”). It applies the following principles to its news content reported and/or presented via its Channels:

1. to report and present news fairly and accurately, in a manner which meets its brand;
   
2. to remain impartial and unbiased in reporting news;
   
3. to use fair and ethical means to obtain news material; and
   
4. to correct or clarify any errors as soon as reasonably practicable.
   

SEN will take all reasonable steps to comply with the Online News Standards as varied from time to time, however a failure to comply will not be a breach of the Online News Standards if the non-compliance was in respect of a minor, peripheral, incidental or trivial matter, or was due to a reasonable mistake, reasonable reliance on information supplied by another person, the publication of material which was accidental (provided that SEN took reasonable precautions and exercised due diligence), or an act or default or another person which was outside SEN’s control, or an accident, technical issue or some other cause beyond SEN’s control.

Complaints Handling Standards:

These standards outline the complaints handling by SEN for online news content that is published via its Channels.

Complaints shall be handled, assessed, and given due consideration based on the nature of the complaint (its content, concerns raised or feedback given) in the context of the Online News Standards. SEN will determine whether or not the complaint is a complaint regarding the Online News Standards (Online News Standard Complaint) and should be considered further. Online News Standard Complaints should be made via the ‘contact us’ email: onlinecomplaints@sen.com.au.

SEN will review Online News Standard Complaints and assess its compliance with the Online News Standards, taking into consideration (without limitation):
(a) audio/visual or other relevant broadcast material;
(b) any other relevant material as determined by SEN; and/or
(c) comments from staff and/or contributors to the content and/or issues the subject of the complaint.

SEN will endeavour to respond in a timely manner addressing the concerns raised in writing (generally within 30 Business Days), unless the complaint does not relate to the Online News Standards.

In order for a complaint to be validly considered an Online News Standard Complaint the complaint must:

1. be about online news content sourced and published by SEN;
   
2. be about online news content that the complainant has listened to, read or viewed themselves;
   
3. be made within thirty days of the first publication of the relevant online news content in writing to the station via the email address found on the ‘Contact Us’ page of the relevant broadcast station;
   
4. identify the material complained of in sufficient detail including the website link, date of broadcast or publishing and headline;
   
5. sufficient details of the complaint for the nature of the complaint to be understood;
   
6. provide adequate contact details for a response to be provided;
   
7. not be frivolous, vexations or an abuse of this Complaints Handling Policy;
   
8. not be offensive, defamatory or vulgar.
   

If a complaint is or may become the subject of existing or threatened proceedings or investigation under any other Code or Standard, then SEN may choose not to treat the complaint as an Online News Standard Complaint.

If a complaint is about advertising material on its Channels, then SEN may choose not to treat the complaint as an Online News Standard Complaint and may instead refer the complaint to the Advertising Standards Bureau.

If a complaint is regarding a privacy issue, only the individual whose privacy interest is alleged to have been intruded upon may make an Online News Standard Complaint.

If a complaint is accepted as valid, the complainant will receive notification of the outcome of their complaint in writing. Please note that filing a complaint about certain content will not guarantee its removal or guarantee a response. SEN may amend the Online News Standards and Complaints Handling Standards in its discretion from time to time. We will publish the current Online News Standards and Complaints Handling Policy on our website. Your complaint will be considered against the published policy on the date of receipt of your complaint.

For complaints about content heard via radio broadcast, please submit a formal complaint via the online portal by clicking this link.