Media and Journalistic Ethics Code

Applies to: Editorial, visuals, audio, product, social, contributors, and freelancers.
Owner: Acting Editor + Editor-in-Chief
Effective: 21.02.2023

1. Core Principles

Accuracy First

• Accuracy is the cornerstone of our credibility. Every fact, statistic, and quotation must be verified with reliable sources. Context matters as much as the fact itself—reporting must avoid misleading omissions.
• Global benchmark: Editorialge’s “News Values & Principles” and Reuters’ “Trust Principles” both emphasize “accuracy, speed, and freedom from bias.”

Independence

• We do not trade access for favorable coverage. Our journalism must be free from influence by advertisers, sponsors, government, or political groups.
• Global benchmark: Editorialge’s ethics policy prohibits staff from accepting any arrangement that could compromise independence.

Fairness & Humanity

• We seek voices from all sides, giving subjects a genuine opportunity to respond. We avoid stereotyping, sensationalism, and publishing content that could unnecessarily harm vulnerable groups.
• Global benchmark: The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) Code stresses “minimize harm” alongside truth-telling.

Accountability & Transparency

• Mistakes happen. When they do, we correct them publicly, promptly, and clearly. We explain our editorial decisions, disclose potential conflicts, and invite reader feedback.
• Global benchmark: Editorialge’s “Corrections & Clarifications” column demonstrates visible accountability.

2. Sourcing & Attribution

On-the-record is the default.

• Anonymous sources are exceptions, not norms. When anonymity is granted, it must serve the public interest and be approved by the Standards Editor.

Corroboration.

• High-impact claims require at least two independent sources or one reliable source supported by documentary evidence (court filings, data, official records).

Right of Reply.

• We must attempt to contact subjects of critical reporting. If they decline to respond, we publish that fact.

Attribution.

• Always cite original sources by name and, where possible, provide links or references for readers to verify.

3. Fact-Checking & Corrections

Fact-checking process:

• Every story undergoes a checklist: verify names, numbers, dates, quotes, links, and images. Legal and ethical risks must be flagged before publication.

Corrections:

• Corrections appear at the top or bottom of stories with time-stamped notes. A central Corrections & Clarifications archive is maintained.

Retractions:

• If an article is fundamentally flawed, we unpublish it with a clear note explaining why, and retain a PDF record for accountability.

4. Conflicts of Interest

• Gifts & Travel: No gifts beyond nominal value. Journalists must decline junkets, free trips, or paid perks that compromise neutrality.
• Financial Interests: Employees must not cover companies where they or family members have significant financial stakes.
• Outside Work: Freelance or consulting work that overlaps with a journalist’s beat requires disclosure and editor approval.

5. Visual, Audio & Data Integrity

• Photography & Video: Only minimal adjustments are permitted (cropping, exposure, white balance). No manipulation or alteration that misleads. Composites must be labeled clearly as “Photo Illustration.”
• User-Generated Content (UGC): Verify time, place, and origin. Obtain consent before publication; blur or anonymize minors.
• Audio: Remove filler words for clarity but never alter meaning. Raw versions must be stored.
• Data & Graphics: Data visualizations must accurately represent the underlying numbers; no cherry-picking or misleading scales.

6. AI & Automation

• Human Oversight: AI may assist (transcription, translation, research) but never replaces editorial judgment. Final responsibility rests with human editors.
• Transparency: If AI-generated content (text, images, audio, video) is used, it must be clearly labeled and explained.
• Ethical Boundaries: No deepfakes of real people unless in clear public interest, and always labeled.
• Audit Trail: Store logs of AI use—tools, prompts, reviewers, and verification notes—for internal accountability.

7. Advertising, Sponsorship & Affiliate Links

• Editorial Independence: Newsrooms do not report to sales. Advertisers cannot preview or alter editorial.
• Sponsored Content: Must be clearly labeled (“Advertisement,” “Sponsored,” “Partner Content”) and designed distinctly from editorial.
• Affiliate Disclosure: Articles with affiliate links must carry disclaimers (“We may earn a commission…”) as per FTC (US) and ASCI (India) rules.

8. Privacy, Safety & Special Coverage

• Sexual-offence victims: No identifying details of adult victims (as per India IPC §228A / POCSO Act) or child victims.
• Suicide Reporting: Avoid describing method/location; include helpline numbers.
• Children & Vulnerable People: Special care in interviews, images, and publication; always seek guardian consent.

9. Social Media & Personal Publishing

• Professional Conduct: Staff must avoid partisan advocacy, hate speech, or sharing unpublished editorial plans.
• Engagement: Maintain civility and accuracy online. Corrections and clarifications must be made promptly, even on personal accounts if misinformation originated there.

10. Plagiarism, Fabrication & Independence

• Zero Tolerance: Plagiarism, fabrication, or misappropriation of others’ work leads to immediate disciplinary action.
• Attribution: Always credit sources, including external articles, research, photos, or graphics.

11. Local Law & Regional Standards (Expanded)

India

• Press Council of India – Norms of Journalistic Conduct (2022) → fairness, accuracy, respect for privacy, no glorification of violence.
• Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) → mandatory ad/affiliate disclosure.
• Legal compliance: Information Technology Act, 2000 (IT Rules on digital content moderation).
• Maternity and workplace protections: Maternity Benefit Act, POSH Act (Sexual Harassment).

Bangladesh

• Press Council Act, 1974 & Press Council Code → ethical responsibility in print and digital.
• ICT Act 2006 (amended) & Digital Security Act 2018 → restrictions on online publishing, cybercrime, defamation.
• Supreme Court harassment guidelines (2009) → safe newsroom environment.

United States

• First Amendment → strong press freedom; exceptions for libel, obscenity, national security.
• Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) Code → truth, fairness, independence, accountability.
• Federal Trade Commission (FTC) → advertising/affiliate disclosure (native ads must be labeled).
• State laws on privacy (e.g., California Consumer Privacy Act / CCPA, 2018).
• AP & API values → transparency, independence, corrections.

United Kingdom

• IPSO Editors’ Code of Practice → privacy, accuracy, harassment safeguards.
• Ofcom Broadcasting Code → impartiality & harm/offence rules in broadcast & digital video.
• UK GDPR & Data Protection Act 2018 → strict privacy obligations, data minimization, retention limits.
• Contempt of Court Act, 1981 → restrictions on prejudicial reporting during trials.

Singapore

• Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA, 2019) → government can issue correction orders on “false” online content.
• Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) Content Code → decency standards, minors’ protection, fair reporting.
• Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA, 2012) → handling and publishing personal data.
• Advertising Standards Authority of Singapore (ASAS) Code → truthfulness in ads and sponsored content.

European Union

• European Convention on Human Rights (Art. 10) & EU Charter of Fundamental Rights → freedom of expression with proportional limits.
• General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) → privacy, consent, data subject rights, “right to be forgotten.”
• EU Digital Services Act (DSA, 2024) → obligations on digital platforms for content moderation and transparency.
• European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) Charter → independence, accountability.

Australia

• MEAA Journalist Code of Ethics → honesty, fairness, respect for privacy.
• Australian Press Council (APC) Standards → accuracy, opportunity to reply, corrections.
• ACMA (Communications & Media Authority) → regulates digital & broadcast content, decency, accuracy.
• Australian Consumer Law (ACL) → advertising, misleading claims, sponsorships.
• Privacy Act 1988 → handling personal data, mandatory breach notifications.

12. Corrections & Reader Redress

• We publish a dedicated Corrections page linked in the footer.
• Readers can contact our Acting Editor via [editor@editorialge.com] for errors or ethical complaints.
• Complaints are reviewed weekly and outcomes are publicly shared when necessary.

Optional Appendices

1. Contributor Agreement

• India: Add mandatory ASCI compliance and disclosure of government-paid content.
• Bangladesh: Disclosure of risks under Digital Security Act (contributors warned about liability).
• USA: Include FTC disclosure clauses; freelance contributors sign First Amendment compliance waiver (avoiding defamation/libel).
• UK: Respect contempt of court restrictions; declare any conflicts tied to political parties.
• Singapore: Contributors must ensure compliance with POFMA correction obligations if issued.
• EU: Must follow GDPR when using personal data; contributors provide consent forms for interviews/images.
• Australia: Contributors must follow APC standards and Privacy Act regarding personal data.

2. Newsroom Social Media Policy

• India & Bangladesh: Ban sharing unpublished stories that could trigger state censorship under IT/Digital laws.
• USA: Allow robust personal expression but prohibit partisan campaigning while on staff duty.
• UK: No prejudicial comments on active court trials (Contempt Act).
• Singapore: Staff should avoid posts that could fall under POFMA or IMDA “falsehoods.”
• EU: Must disclose sponsored influencer content per EU Advertising Transparency rules.
• Australia: Staff must follow ACMA social media content rules if accounts are used for broadcast-like functions.

3. Fact-Checking Desk SOP (IFCN-aligned)

• India: Fact-check must address election-related misinformation (as per Election Commission advisories).
• Bangladesh: Must track disinformation flagged under the Digital Security Act.
• USA: Align with PolitiFact, FactCheck.org, and IFCN transparency principles; include state-level verification for US politics.
• UK: Explicitly note Ofcom/Leveson reporting standards; publish methodology in corrections.
• Singapore: Maintain archives for any POFMA correction orders applied to fact-checks.
• EU: Must comply with DSA transparency (publish who funded the fact-check project).
• Australia: Maintain APC complaints review link in every fact-check article.
• Originality: Contributors must submit only original work; plagiarism or AI-only drafts are prohibited.
• Disclosure: Any conflicts of interest, sponsorships, or affiliations must be declared before submission.
• AI Usage: Contributors may use AI tools only with full disclosure; human authors remain responsible for accuracy.
• Payment: Contributors are compensated only for approved, published work; late submissions or unethical content may be rejected without payment.
• License: Work published is licensed exclusively to the company unless otherwise agreed.