Allen John. The BBC news styleguide

Every time anyone writes a script for BBC News they are potentially touching the
lives of millions of people – through radio, tv and the internet.That is the privilege
of working for one of the biggest news organisations in the world.
It brings with it responsibilities. BBC News is expected to set the highest standards
in accuracy, fairness, impartiality – and in the use of language. Clear story-telling
and language is at the heart of good journalism.This styleguide will help make your
journalism stronger and connect better with our audiences.As my first news editor
on a small weekly paper used to say:Keep it plain and keep it simple.
It still holds true.
Richard Sambrook Director, BBC News
The BBC is a remarkable place. Much of the accumulated knowledge and expertise
locked in people’s heads stays that way: occasionally we share, and the result is a
bit of a revelation.
This styleguide represents some of John Allen’s extraordinary wisdom surrounding the
use of English in written and spoken communications.This is in many ways at the
heart of what the BBC does and what it is respected for.This is not a do and don’t
list but a guide that invites you to explore some of the complexities of modern English
usage and to make your own decisions about what does and does not work. It should
improve your scripts and general writing, not to mention making you feel better
informed, challenged and amused.
This guide is being made available as a publication and online in order to make
maximum impact. If you have any comments about it I would be delighted to
hear from you.
Nigel Paine Head of People Development
92 pages