Contents: Statement of Ethical Practice | Code of Practice for Seminars
STATEMENT OF ETHICAL PRACTICE
The following statement is not exhaustive but it aims to summarise the basic ethical principles that should guide the practice of paid and unpaid staff working for Inform.
Staff members have a responsibility to safeguard the proper interests of inquirers and informants and to record any information received from them accurately and truthfully.
Staff members need at all times to keep in mind the health and safety implications of their work for Inform with a view to reducing to a minimum the risks to themselves and to others.
The conduct of inquiries and the search for information on behalf of Inform may mean that staff have to enter into personal and moral relationships with inquirers or informants. The best interests of the latter must be protected.
As far as possible, staff should obtain the freely given, informed consent of people who are potential sources of information for Inform. This implies a responsibility to explain in appropriate detail - and in terms meaningful to informants - what the request for information is about, who is making and financing it, why it is being made, and how any information collected might be stored and used.
There is no warrant for covert collection of data on behalf of Inform.
Inquirers and informants need to know how far they will be afforded anonymity and confidentiality. They should also be asked whether they are prepared to accept the use of data-gathering devices such as tape recorders and video cameras.
When staff access data held in Inform's files, they must respect the terms on which the data were collected and the limitations, if any, that are imposed on their use.
Staff must respect the anonymity and privacy of inquirers and informants. In the case of extremely sensitive information, Inform staff should ask the Director whether special procedures are required.
It is a requirement for staff to store information in a secure manner and to respect Inform's obligations under the Data Protection Acts.
Staff members of Inform do not enjoy legal privilege. This means that they have no grounds in law for withholding information if it is requested by a court of law.
CODE OF PRACTICE FOR SEMINARS
INFORM aims to collect and disseminate objective, accurate information about new religious movements. Participants in INFORM's seminars and conferences are expected to further these aims by seeking to avoid deliberate deception or distortion.
In order to remain objective about a subject which can arouse strong feelings, it is necessary to lay down some ground rules for discussing new religious movements. The purpose of these rules is to prevent strong feelings from undermining (a) the pursuit of truth, (b) the conduct of constructive dialogue and (c) the defence of well-informed, if sometimes unpopular, views.
In the belief that understanding new religious movements and the controversies which may be associated with them requires sensitivity to the freedom of all people to express their opinions within the law, INFORM has agreed the following policy for the conduct of its meetings: