Online links to third party websites
Part of the BBC's role is to act as a trusted guide on the web. When we create content on a BBC site we should consider which external websites it may be editorially justifiable to link to. We offer external links from the BBC public service site and from the editorial pages of the commercial site, for example, to provide additional information, source material or informed comment. We should be seen to be impartial. BBC websites which cover controversial subjects or public policy matters should normally offer links to external sites which represent a reasonable range of views about the subject.
We must never include a link on a public service website or within the editorial content of a commercial site, in return for cash, services or any other consideration in kind.
We must check the contents of third party websites before installing a link on a BBC page. The same check should be repeated regularly after the link is established. We should not link to an external site if it is clearly inappropriate for us to recommend a visit. It may be appropriate to add a disclaimer, and additional information, if the links are to controversial material.
The links we make must be editorially justified and should lead to sites which are:
- clearly relevant to the content of the BBC page where the link is placed.
- suitable for the likely audience which in some cases may be children.
- regularly updated and refreshed.
- normally free to access.
- normally factually accurate.
We may link to external sites which give particular views of a person or organisation significant to a current news story and in such cases we may not be able to guarantee their factual accuracy. But we should not support the message, information or promotions on third party sites.
We must not give the impression that we are unfairly endorsing a commercial product or service when linking to a commercial site.