9. Accountability for Journalism Principles
9.1. Editorial Guidelines
A Media Outlet shall produce a set of Editorial Guidelines or adhere to an external set of guidelines (for example the Model Editorial Guidelines provided as a reference document to this Standard), to which its journalistic operations comply. They should govern meaningful principles of journalistic content, dissemination and conduct. These guidelines, and the identity of the person or group of persons with ultimate responsibility for them within its organisation, shall be made available to the public in a readily accessible and understandable form. Best practice is to have these guidelines available publicly rather than on request.
Does your Media Outlet have a set of guidelines, or adhere to an external set of guidelines, for journalistic content, distribution and conduct to which its journalistic operations comply?
YesAre they made available to the public in a readily accessible form?
NoIs there a person or a group of persons responsible for these guidelines clearly identified?
YesIs that identification visible on the page with the guidelines?
NoWhy not?
9.2. Purpose of Guidelines
A Media Outlet shall ensure that these Editorial Guidelines set clear expectations of the behaviour it requires from its own staff, its contractors and from all other contributors to its editorial content. It should also set out the structure of responsibility within the organisation, making sure it is clear who is accountable for each stage of the process that leads to publication.
Do the guidelines referred to in the section on Editorial Guidelines set clear expectations for the behaviour for all the contributors, including editorial staff (journalists, editors) and all other contributors?
YesDo the guidelines referred to in the section on Editorial Guidelines make clear the structure of editorial responsibility for each stage of the publication process within the organisation?
Yes9.3. Guidelines and Journalism Principles
A Media Outlet shall ensure that these Editorial Guidelines embody the core ethical principles of journalism. The Editorial Guidelines may impose specific requirements in addition to these core ethical principles; but any additional requirements shall not compromise these core ethical principles as described in the Preamble of this document.
Do your Editorial Guidelines include requirements for Accuracy (as prescribed in the Preamble) in your output?
YesDo they include requirements for Independence (as prescribed in the Preamble) of editorial decision making?
YesDo they include requirements of Fairness (as prescribed in the Preamble) in the practice of journalism?
YesDo they include requirements for Accountability (as prescribed in the Preamble) in the practice of its journalism?
Yes9.4. Conflicts of Interest
Editorial Guidelines shall ensure that there are no conflicts of interests – real, potential or perceived – damaging the integrity of the story or the editorial independence of those working on it. They should have guidance on how to deal with conflicts related to political, business and personal interests. Editorial structures should protect the journalism from any undue influence by the Media Outlet’s executive management or ownership authorities outside the formal editorial process and from any external interests, commercial, social or political.