Following is a statement of policy adopted by the Press Council in 1972 and revised in 1989 under which it may withhold the name of a complainant from a news release announcing the result of an adjudication.

The Council reaffirms the general policy in effect since its inception in 1972 of issuing all adjudications for publication and with names of complainants and newspapers.

It will make no exception whatever on publication, but may decide to withhold the name and identification of a complainant who offers a compelling reason for protection of privacy, provided that:

(1) The complainant, having been made aware of the rules for granting anonymity, makes the request in writing before a decision is made to adjudicate the complaint;

(2) The newspaper is invited to comment before a decision is made;

(3) The Executive Committee makes the decision after considering the complainant's request and the newspaper's comments and does so in advance of any hearing;

(4) The complainant is advised beforehand that, in the event the full Council overrules the Executive Committee's decision, the adjudication will be declared null and void and no press release will be issued.

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