Democracy Insider Code of Ethics
Democracy Insider (DI) is committed to providing accurate, impartial, and ethical journalism to inform and engage our audience. These guidelines are designed to ensure the highest standards of journalistic integrity and professionalism.
1. Accuracy and Fairness
- We strive for accuracy in every news report, fact-checking information from multiple reliable sources before publication.
- Present news fairly and impartially, representing diverse perspectives and avoiding bias.
- Clearly distinguish between news and opinion pieces.
2. Independence and Integrity
- Maintain editorial independence, free from political, commercial, or personal influence.
- Avoid conflicts of interest, disclose potential conflicts, and do not engage in activities that compromise impartiality.
- Do not accept gifts, favors, or payments that could compromise journalistic integrity.
3. Credibility and Attribution
- Attribute all information to its original source and provide proper citations.
- Correct errors promptly and transparently, with clear corrections or retractions.
- Ensure that headlines and article content accurately reflect the context of the story.
4. Privacy and Sensitivity
- Respect individuals’ privacy and dignity, especially in cases of tragedy, accidents, or personal loss.
- Exercise sensitivity in reporting on issues related to race, religion, gender, and other sensitive topics.
- Obtain informed consent when using personal information or images.
5. Editorial Standards
- Adhere to a clear and consistent editorial style guide for writing, grammar, and language usage.
- Avoid sensationalism, clickbait, and hyperbole in headlines and reporting.
- Verify information from social media and user-generated content before publishing.
6. Plagiarism and Attribution
- Never plagiarize. Always attribute content, ideas, and quotes to their original sources.
- Use credible sources and verify the accuracy of information from third-party sources.
7. Transparency
- Maintain transparency regarding ownership, funding sources, and affiliations.
- Clearly label sponsored content or advertisements to distinguish them from editorial content.
8. Engagement and Comments
- Encourage constructive and respectful dialogue among readers in the comment sections.
- Monitor and moderate comments to prevent hate speech, harassment, and misinformation.
- Be open to feedback and corrections from readers.
9. Legal Compliance
- Comply with all relevant laws, including copyright, defamation, and privacy laws.
- Consult legal counsel when necessary to ensure compliance.
10. Continuous Improvement
- Regularly review and update these guidelines to adapt to changing industry standards and audience needs.
- Invest in ongoing training and development for our editorial team.
By adhering to these guidelines, Democracy Insider aims to uphold the highest standards of journalism, serving as a trusted source of information and promoting a healthy democratic discourse in society.
Please review and adapt these guidelines as needed to suit the specific focus and policies of your news site, “Democracy Insider.” Ensure that your editorial team is familiar with and follows these guidelines rigorously to maintain the credibility and integrity of your publication.