1. Accuracy and Integrity
- Accurate Reporting: All content creators must provide accurate, complete, and timely information without bias.
- Opinion Labeling: Personal opinions must be clearly labeled and published under the designated “Opinion” section.
- Fact-Checking: Writers are responsible for verifying information before publication.
2. Attribution and Intellectual Property
- Credit Attribution: Proper credit must be given for any information, images, or data taken from external sources.
- Permission: Where necessary, permission must be obtained for the use of copyrighted material.
- Consequences: Violation of attribution policies may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.
3. Editorial Independence
- Impartiality: The editorial team makes all content-related decisions without influence from management.
- Unbiased Reporting: Writers are expected to strive for honest, balanced, and unbiased reporting.
4. Conflict of Interest
- Disclosure: Content creators must disclose any potential conflicts of interest to their supervisors.
- Recusal: Writers may not cover stories or topics in which they have a vested financial or personal interest.
- Consultation: For guidance on potential conflicts, employees should consult a senior editor or staff member.
5. Expense Reimbursement
- Eligible Expenses: Expenses incurred for news sourcing (e.g., meals, drinks, accommodation, transportation) are eligible for reimbursement.
- Submission Deadline: Invoices for reimbursement must be submitted within 2 business weeks of incurring the expense.
- Approval Process: All expenses are subject to review and approval by the appropriate department.
6. Gifts and Services
- General Prohibition: Employees may not accept gifts or services from business partners or other sources that could present a conflict of interest.
- Exceptions: Limited exceptions include complimentary meals during business meetings or press events.
- Disclosure: Any offers of gifts or services must be reported to a supervisor, regardless of whether they are accepted.
7. Social Media Usage
- Personal vs. Professional: Employees must clearly separate personal opinions from work-related content on social media platforms.
- Responsible Posting: Use best judgment when posting on social media, recognizing that personal posts may reflect on the organization.
- Confidentiality: Do not share confidential or proprietary information on personal social media accounts.
8. Enforcement and Reporting
- Compliance: All employees are expected to adhere to this ethics policy.
- Reporting Violations: Employees should report suspected violations to their supervisor or the ethics committee.
- Non-Retaliation: The organization prohibits retaliation against any employee who reports a suspected ethics violation in good faith.
This ethics policy is subject to periodic review and may be updated as necessary. All employees are responsible for staying informed about the current policy and any changes that may occur.