11. Responsibility for Content Provided by the General Public
11.1. User Generated Content/Eyewitness News
A Media Outlet shall ensure that the same principles of checking for accuracy, legal, and ethical compliance are applied to journalistic content sourced from the general public (UGC or Eyewitness News content) as with all content it publishes.
Does your Media Outlet publish any content that comes not from staff or freelancers but from external sources such as readers/viewers?
YesDoes your Media Outlet have set structures to ensure the checking of externally sourced material undergoes the same principles as that created entirely by its own journalists?
Yes11.2. Editorial Guidelines for UGC/Eyewitness News
There should be specific categories within the Media Outlet’s Editorial Guidelines for dealing with User Generated Content (UGC) or Eyewitness News and these should be publicly accessible. In relation to this type of content the guidelines shall indicate the verification process to be used, how the content should be published with any labelling required and include guidance on dealing with the content providers in a responsible manner.
Do your Editorial Guidelines also include provisions for externally-submitted material?
YesIf you want to publish additional information, please provide it here.
Ark Valley Voice articles are set up to take comments from the public, to allow for the discussion of topics shaping our community, our state and our country. It also accepts Letters to the Editor. Those contributors disregarding any of our policies will be removed.
For comments from the public to be published:
– Those who submit must agree to an exchange of ideas in a respectful and open-minded manner.
– Name-Calling, Foul Language, Doxing, Libel, Threats, Hate speech, and Bullying will not be condoned.
– There is a difference between stating an opinion about something and making a factual claim. Any claims made on articles, or in letters to the editor require claim substantiation, including the source of the information. We will not support a reckless disregard for the truth.
– Comments, links and videos that are shown to be fake and manipulated will be deleted from ArkValleyVoice.com.
Are there Editorial Guidelines dealing with UGC/eyewitness news content?
YesDo they include details on the verification processes to be used for this content?
YesDo they include guidance on the appropriate labelling of such content?
YesIf you want to publish additional information, please provide it here.
We require parental approval for any photos of children where their faces are shown.
Do they include guidance on dealing with the providers of such content in a responsible and ethical manner?
Yes11.3. Opinion Guidelines
In relation to opinion or comment pieces the guidelines should set clear requirements of the ethical principles expected which may include but is not limited to prohibition of comment due to defamation, privacy, hate speech and harassment. The Media Outlet should make clear its policy on the moderation of such content, whether it is pre or post publication, and its policy on take-down, notice and appeal provisions.