GFN CODE OF CONDUCT

The GFN group operate various digital media businesses, including providing platforms for real sports fans to voice opinions. 

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Content

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The GFN digital media platforms focus on sports and fans who are drawn from across diverse age groups, and cultural, social and political identities and communities. While we encourage all to be honest and open, and respect the right to banter or be angry (or upset) and to engage passionately and to disagree, there are certain minimum standards of behaviour.

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GFN personnel must be mindful of the wider impact that their contribution might make, and need to recognise their responsibilities with regard to influencing and shaping public conversations, thinking and direction, and must conduct themselves appropriately and in keeping with GFN’s brand image, and the rating and audience of the show and or content on which they are participating. At all times GFN personnel need to use best efforts to enhance the GFN reputation and brand.

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As a minimum, all GFN personnel must observe the following:

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1 We recognise that wider socio-political issues may impact one or more sporting community but these are to be raised ONLY if and to the extent that they relates to the sports ecosystem under discussion, and always in a respectful way. The platform may not be used to promote personal agendas and GFN must remain agnostic on views that do not directly relate to its programmes.

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2 GFN personnel must not make false or defamatory statements.

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3 GFN personnel may not threaten or harass anyone, or promote harm, violence or discrimination against anyone, or encourage others to do so, whether on the basis of race, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, gender, religion, age, or disability.

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4 GFN personnel may not engage in the targeted harassment of anyone or encourage others to do so. Do not do anything that is invasive of personal privacy such as disclosing private or confidential information about anyone. Abusive and/or intimidating behaviour is unacceptable. 

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5 While there will always be opinions, differences, and controversy (and that is what makes GFN compelling), GFN personnel must be tolerant of others’ views. In particular GFN personnel must recognise when discussions have become too heated and must avoid escalating too far; even when disagreeing passionately try always to be respectful and control the temperature and correct misrepresentations. Take a break if situations become heated or too difficult or upsetting; return to the topic later when it has de-escalated.

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6 GFN personnel must always identify who they are and what their role is. Only approved spokespeople may speak on behalf of GFN. GFN confidential information must be kept confidential; GFN personnel may not disclose commercially sensitive, private or confidential information. Abusive, derogatory or defamatory content about GFN is not acceptable; if any GFN personnel have a problem it must first be taken up internally.

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For the avoidance of doubt, the above Code principles apply to material to be carried by GFN, but also to other social media, and to relevant activities outside of GFN. 

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(a) Where social media of any GFN personnel references GFN, such activities should complement and/or support the GFN role and should be used in moderation. 

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(b) Before making use of any social media platform, GFN personnel must read and comply with the applicable terms of use of the applicable social media. 

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(c) GFN personnel must always be conscious that they are personally responsible for content that they publish into social media – be aware that what is published will be public and remain public for many years. 

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(d) Be very careful about posting, uploading, forwarding, or posting links to chain mail, junk mail, cartoons, jokes or gossip. If it is or is perceived to be false or defamatory, or to infringe someone else’s rights, there will be risk and consequences.

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(e) Misuse of social media websites can, in certain circumstances, constitute a criminal offence or otherwise give rise to legal liability personally (and possibly GFN).

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You need to be conscious that what you do and how you behave outside of GFN may impact on GFN. You need to be careful not to take any action which is intended, or would reasonably be expected, to harm the reputation of GFN or any of its affiliates or which would reasonably be expected to lead to unwanted or unfavourable publicity to GFN or its affiliates. If you are accused of, or associated with any such conduct, or think that something has occurred or might occur that might have an adverse impact on GFN you must self-report as soon as possible.

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Code Administration & Enforcement

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When it comes to a breach of the Code and potential enforcement action, GFN has various options. The consequences depend on the severity of the breach, and the personal record of the relevant GFN personnel. For example, there is no obligation on GFN to carry any material of any GFN personnel, and possible sanctions include a warning to (if applicable) editing offending material, to stopping distribution on the GFN or associated platform, to no-platforming entirely, and/or terminating the applicable contract for services, if we determine that the offender has breached the Code in a particularly serious way, or has repeatedly breached it even after receiving notifications from us. We will have no liability to you for taking action that we consider reasonably necessary.

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GFN will administer this Code and may amend it from time to time as we consider reasonably necessary or desirable (whether to take account of a change in legislation or otherwise). We will notify GFN personnel within a reasonable period of any material changes. GFN will determine any question of interpretation and settle any dispute arising under the Code. In such matters, its decision shall be final (absent manifest error).

This Code and its subject matter (including a non-contractual dispute or claim) shall be governed by, and interpreted in accordance with, the laws of England. The courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute or claim (including a non-contractual dispute or claim) that arises out of or in connection with it.

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CODE AS AT 01 November 2024