when using terms adjectivally, but not when using them as nouns: the decision-making process was protracted; this procedure expedites decision making
when the last letter of a single syllable prefix and the first letter of the word are the same vowel: re-educate not reeducate; de-emphasise not deemphasise
(however, cooperate, coordinate and their derivatives are no longer hyphenated)
to avoid confusing one word with another: compare he re-signed the document with the executive resigned
with co-(joint) and ex-(former), whether or not the attached word begins with a vowel: co-accused; co-worker; ex-admiral; ex-wife.
to link spans of figures, time and distance, and Bible verses: pp. 466–53; 1979–91; May–July; City–Pymble buses, Mark 6:3-5
to show a link between words that retain their separate identities: the body–mind split; a north–south alliance; a copper–zinc alloy.
link words that signify an abrupt change: We decided to go by air — a momentous decision under the circumstances.
introduce an amplification: Budget cuts will have dramatic effects — for example, Australian television content will ultimately decrease.
indicate parenthesis within a sentence: Her abrupt change of direction — this time in favour of the savings — left them mystified.
Take care not to make gratuitous references to disabilities.
A disability is not necessarily a handicap.
People who use wheelchairs are not necessarily confined to them.
If a disability is relevant to a story, be specific: a man in a wheelchair has been swept off a bridge by floodwater.
Reference both the Indigenous and introduced names
Where space constraints permit only one name, use the more widely known name
If there is the potential for audience confusion, reference the dual-naming process
Australia’s official naming process does not always move in tandem with community sentiment. In many stories, it may be appropriate to use — or, potentially, offensive to exclude — Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander placenames that are not widely known by the public.
Beware of generic masculine pronouns (i.e. using he or his for both sexes).
Look out for gender-specific occupational titles (e.g. use police officer in preference to policeman).
Use women or men where the issue largely relates to the general population: men's health, women with breast cancer.
Where the experiences of transgender or non-binary people are the focus of content, it can be appropriate to use other terms: pregnant people, transwomen, those assigned male at birth, people with a prostate. It may be necessary to explain such language.
Ensure any reference to a disability is editorially relevant. It may not be.
Generally, use person-first language: that’s disabled person rather than person with a disability. This foregrounds the person rather than the disability.
Focus on ability rather than disability: people who have a disability are multi-dimensional, and their disability is only one characteristic.
Don’t use collective terminology to describe disability and people with disabilities. People with disabilities are often referred to as a category of people and this can be depersonalising and offensive.
Be careful not to imply that all mental illnesses are the same.
Avoid stereotypes and use inclusive language.
Additional resources about the reporting and portrayal of people with a mental illness can be found at Mindframe.
Where it is relevant to the discussion, immigrant groups can be named by reference to their previous nationality or region of origin: Americans, Vietnamese, Kurds, etc.
Avoid equating linguistic or ethnic groups with particular religious beliefs. Not all Lebanese-Australians are necessarily Muslim. Not all Muslims are Arabs.
Be careful to check names of people from different cultures — don’t presume the standard European naming conventions and order of names.
Ensure that the values of Australia’s many different cultures are taken into account, and that background issues are adequately explored. Ethnic cultures within Australia interact with each other and cannot simply be equated with the cultures of their country of origin.
Use caution with generic geographical descriptors (eg South American cartels, African migrants). Where you can be sure of accuracy and it is editorially relevant, be specific (Argentinian cartels, UgandanAsianmigrants).
Do not use abbreviations or slang terms that are likely to offend ethnic groups.
First reference: “Magistrate Michael Jones”, then “Magistrate Jones said”; “the magistrate said”.
First reference: “Judge Jane West”, then “Judge West said”; “the judge said”.
First reference: “Justice Rex Chong”, then “Justice Chong said”, “the judge said”.
First reference: “Chief Justice Mary Wilson”, then “the chief justice said”.
Avoid overusing numbers in script copy.
Avoid putting numbers first in a sentence. Listeners can easily miss the first words of a news item.
When writing scripts for broadcast, write measurements in full: millilitres, kilometres per hour, etc.
Consider whether the numbers or measurements involved in your story require precision, or a round figure.
On rounding: say about, rather than approximately or some — the latter is non-conversational, formal-speak. Say more than 500, not over 500.
If a precise figure is essential to the meaning, it may be necessary to repeat it.
Where a number has six numbers — e.g. 131300 — it should be stated as “One three one, three hundred”.
Our talkback numbers and other 1300 numbers should be stated as “One three-hundred”.
Eight numbers — e.g. 42791856 — should be expressed as “Four two seven nine, one eight five six”.
For ten digit mobile numbers use the four-number prefix — for 0428 say “zero four two eight”, and then break the following six numbers into two parts — “three six nine, five eight four”.
Double numbers such as “66” should be expressed as “double 6” and, similarly, three numbers would be “triple 6” and so on.
For broadcast, refer to emergency services numbers as “triple zero”, not “triple oh”.
Text Messages: We use the term “Text” rather than “SMS”. Don’t refer to text authors by their phone number, or any abbreviation of it.
A singular subject takes a singular verb: the murderer was sentenced to 46 years.
Plural subjects take a plural verb: women have 42 per cent less superannuation at retirement.
Two linked singular subjects generally require a plural verb: Lano and Woodley are reuniting.
Groups, communities and governments are generally singular, unless they have a plural name: the Coalition ismaintaining its tough stance on border protection, the Brisbane Bullets are maintaining their lead.