ETHICAL PRINCIPLES OF THE ASTW

The Australian Society of Travel Writers’ ethical principles, good corporate governance, corporate social responsibility, and the professional ethics of all members are the pillars of its activities.

Why a code of ethics?

Travel writing involves one of the most coveted of all opportunities available to the media: a wealth of journeys, experiences, and what must seem to some outsiders to be one long holiday.

Tourism is an important industry, and responsible travel writing and promotion is a serious business. That’s why the Australian Society of Travel Writers (ASTW), like other professional organisations worldwide, has rules to help members avoid potential traps.

Importantly, our code of ethics promotes the fundamental principles of journalism: writers should provide sound and accurate information to the public, with honest and fair praise and criticism as appropriate. Writers and broadcasters must also have first-hand knowledge of the subject matter (or access to completely reliable sources).

Favourable reviews may not be ‘bought’, and writers must not provide copy free of charge to any publication or website. PR members must not seek free copy for promotional publications, coerce writer members into giving favourable reviews or seek free images from familiarisation trips (famils) for promotional purposes. See also guidelines for hosted travel.

The conduct of members shall be in accordance with the following:

ASTW Code of Ethics

As representatives of the public interest,

A. Members shall serve as ‘travel critics’ who are as ready to comment critically as to praise, with the aim of keeping the public fully and clearly informed on all relevant aspects of travel.

B. Members intending to prepare material for publication or broadcast (or preparing such material) shall:

  • present honest, accurate and fair reports
  • not accept payment or courtesies in return for writing favourably, contrary to their true appraisal of the subject/s
  • only write or broadcast travel-related material about which they have first-hand knowledge or access to other reliable sources
  • not permit their byline or name to appear on work not entirely their own (except for content produced by multiple creators which is therefore published with multiple concurrent bylines or which lists multiple author names, in maintaining fair recognition of those involved)
  • disclose to all potential editors/publishers any previous employment or association with a hosted travel destination, product, service firm or supplier

C. Members shall act in an honest, forthright, and professional manner both in their writing/photographic/broadcasting endeavours and in dealings with others in the travel profession, including, but not limited to, other members and colleagues, clients, suppliers, and those in related fields. In addition, members on assignment or participating in or hosting ASTW functions and events shall:

  • not engage in conduct that embarrasses the ASTW or otherwise harms its reputation or professionalism
  • treat colleagues and hosts/host countries with common courtesy and conduct themselves as ambassadors of the ASTW, the travel industry and Australia
  • on hosted trips, participate in all scheduled activities unless ill, incapacitated or if previous arrangements have been approved by the host.

D. Public relations members accept they are obliged to report offence/s or transgressions from members on assignments or hosted events in writing to the board.

E. Members shall conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times. Members must act with integrity, honesty and transparency in all their dealings and communicate effectively and clearly. This includes being respectful and courteous to colleagues, clients and all stakeholders and treating others as you would like to be treated yourself.

F. Members shall refrain from any form of bullying, abuse, harassment, discrimination and victimisation towards others and provide a safe and nurturing environment for all within the ASTW by actively promoting the principles of equal opportunity, social justice, and cultural safety so that all individuals are treated with respect and dignity.

G. Members shall accept that any infringement of ASTW code of ethics, plagiarism or other unethical acts may, at the discretion of the board, preclude or suspend them from ASTW membership.

H. Members who operate as freelance writers, photographers, and videographers shall:

  • acknowledge they undertake writing/photography/broadcasting for commercial gain and as industry professionals
  • substantiate for ASTW membership only on work that has been financially rewarded (the ASTW strongly discourages members from submitting work for print or online without financial reward from the publications concerned, though we recognise there are circumstances where future financial reward might arise from minor unpaid work but recommend such assignments be limited).

I. Writer, editor and publisher members who are editors or who commission travel-related work shall not, as a rule, publish work by ASTW members without payment.

J. Public relations members shall not promote any travel-related publication of any sort to ASTW members that does not provide payment.

K. Public relations members will not make representations to writer, videographer, digital publisher or digital content creator members to report favourably on behalf of their clients and/or products, or request that they supply material resulting from an invitation for free in return for offering such invitations and/or facilities.

L. Any concerns, complaints or breaches of the Code should be reported in line with the ASTW Complaints Policy and Procedure.