Ethics Guidelines and Policies (English)

Adherence to the ethics code cannot be accomplished by marking off a single item. Compliance in one area does not fulfill the standards for ethical journalism, and these guidelines should not be viewed as merely a checklist. They are designed to be flexible and adaptable to various situations. They emphasize the importance of considering the right questions, seeking appropriate solutions, and exercising discernment when applying ethical principles across the diverse scenarios encountered in journalism in accordance with the policies of the Canadian Association of Journalists (CAJ).

These policies serve as a guide to thoughtful implementation of the ethical practices outlined in Noticiero Móvil’s Code of Ethics. 

1.  Maintain accuracy separated from opinion

  1. Take responsibility for the accuracy of work completed. Verify information before releasing it. Use original sources whenever possible. (SPJ)
  2. Remember that neither speed nor format excuses inaccuracy. Provide context. Take special care not to misrepresent or oversimplify in promoting, previewing or summarizing a story. Gather, update and correct information throughout the life of a news story. (SPJ) 
  3. Although we make every effort to avoid mistakes, we know they might still happen. When we make a mistake – whether in fact or in context, and regardless of the platform – we correct it promptly, prominently and in a transparent manner, acknowledging the nature of the error. (CAJ) 
  4. Explain corrections and clarifications carefully and clearly. (The Harvard Crimson)
  5. Seek documentation to support the reliability of those sources and their stories, and we are careful to distinguish between assertions and facts. (CAJ)
  6. We strive to convey the original tone and retain the original context of all the material we collect – photos, sounds, or words. (CAJ) 
  7. Distinguish between news material, opinion and analysis to avoid the snares of speculation and propaganda. (Aljazeera)
  8. Clearly label illustrations and re-enactments. (SPJ)
  9. Never plagiarize. Always attribute. (SPJ)
  10. Every piece of content should have at least three cited sources.  (The UCLA Daily Bruin)

2. Highlight diverse points of view and opinions without partiality or bias, while also avoiding false balance

  1. Diversity recognizes the essential dignity and human rights of individuals who experience the world in different ways through their ethnicity, culture, religion, gender identity, political views, socioeconomic status, geographic location or physicality. We understand that journalism that is fair, accurate, and in the public interest will incorporate diverse perspectives. We also recognize that diversity among journalists and sources will lead to more informative, representative and comprehensive coverage. (CAJ)
  2. Boldly tell the story of the diversity and magnitude of the human experience. Seek sources whose voices we seldom hear. (SPJ)
  3. We avoid false balance. We do not present two opposing views as equally supported by evidence and expertise when one is not. (CAJ)
  4. When it is impossible to obtain all sides of a story, the article should explain the reason. (THE UCLA Daily Bruin) 

3. Depict an accurate and inclusive portrayal of societal groups by ensuring diverse representation and avoiding stereotypes.

  1. Recognize diversity in human societies with all their races, cultures and beliefs and their values and intrinsic individualities so as to present unbiased and faithful reflection of them. (Al Jazeera) 
  2. Seek to include views from a wide cross-section of people, including those who have been historically underrepresented. (CAJ)
  3. We seek to incorporate a diversity of sources across all of our coverage, not only when an individual identifies as being part of a particular group, but also when seeking expert opinion and analysis. (CAJ)
  4. We understand that conveying one individual’s or group’s views doesn’t accurately and fulsomely reflect the experiences of the entire community. We connect and verify with communities to ensure full understanding, to the best of our abilities, of community dynamics and the implications of our coverage. (CAJ)
  5. Make room for the interests of everyone minorities and majorities; those with power and those without it; and holders of disparate and conflicting views. (CAJ)
  6. Avoid stereotyping. Journalists should examine the ways their values and experiences may shape their reporting. (SPJ)

4. Minimize Harm

  1. Balance the public’s need for information against potential harm or discomfort. Pursuit of the news is not a license for undue intrusiveness. (SPJ)
  2. Recognize that legal access to information differs from an ethical justification to publish or broadcast. (SPJ)
  3. Consider the long-term implications of the extended reach and permanence of publication. (CAJ)
  4. We indicate to sources that stories published online may have a lasting and far-reaching presence, and we clearly inform sources when stories about them will be published across various media. (SPJ)
  5. When we use unnamed sources, we try to independently corroborate their assertions and identify the sources as accurately as possible by affiliation and status, in consultation with the sources. (For example, a “senior military source” must be both senior and in the military.) Any vested interest or potential bias on the part of a source should be revealed, while still protecting their identity. (SPJ)
  6. If reporting on, interviewing or photographing minors. In these cases, the editorial staff must take into consideration the following:
    • Consent of a parent/guardian: Noticiero Móvil journalists are required to get permission from a parent or guardian when interviewing, photographing or otherwise interacting with a minor for a story. 
    • Minors who are accused of or are witnesses to a crime: Noticiero Móvil will not publish the names of minors accused of or who have witnessed crimes (including sexual assault) unless parental consent is obtained or the name of the child is already publicly available. 
    • Photographs of minors: Noticiero Móvil Journalists are instructed to avoid photographing minors unless they are absolutely necessary to the narrative even then it should be considered if just a photo of their backs or shoes will suffice. In instances where Noticiero Móvil uses photographs of minors, parent/guardian consent is required. (The UCLA Daily Bruin)
  7. All uses of minor sources must be approved by the editor in chief. (The UCLA Daily Bruin)

5. Be accountable 

  1. Ethical journalism means taking responsibility for one’s work and explaining one’s decisions to the public. (SPJ)
  2. We are accountable to the public for the fairness and reliability of our reporting. (CAJ)
  3. We make efforts to verify the identities and backgrounds of our sources. We also verify information obtained online, whether from social media or other websites, and check the credibility of these sources. (CAJ)
  4. We seek documentation to support the reliability of those sources and their stories, and we are careful to distinguish between assertions and facts. (CAJ)
  5. We strive to convey the original tone and retain the original context of all the material we collect – photos, sounds, or words. (CAJ)
  6. We do not allow unnamed sources to use the cloak of anonymity to escape their own accountability. (CAJ)
  7. When we use photos and videos, we choose them on the basis of news value or public interest and not to serve voyeuristic interests. (SPJ)
  8. Don’t disparage the work of colleagues or competitors or aggressively promote your coverage. (Dow Jones)
  9. Don’t engage in any impolite dialogue with those who may challenge your work — no matter how rude or provocative they may seem. (Dow Jones)
  10. Avoid giving highly-tailored, specific advice to any individual on Noticiero Móvil sites. Phrases such as “Travel agents are saying the best deals are X and Y …” are acceptable while counseling a reader “You should choose X … ” is not. Giving generalized advice is the best approach. (Dow Jones)
  11. All postings on Noticiero Móvil sites that may be controversial or that deal with sensitive subjects need to be cleared with your editor before posting. (Dow Jones)
  12. Business and pleasure should not be mixed on services like X (formerly Twitter). Don’t post on personal matters if it’s clear that you’re posting for Noticiero Móvil. If you are in doubt about the appropriateness of a posting, discuss it with your editor before sending. (Dow Jones)

6. Be transparent 

  1. Provide access to source material when it is relevant and appropriate. (SPJ)
  2. Identify sources clearly. The public is entitled to as much information as possible to judge the reliability and motivations of sources. (SPJ)
  3. If a source was granted anonymity, explain why it was granted. (CAJ)
  4. Avoid undercover or other surreptitious methods of gathering information unless traditional, open methods will not yield information vital to the public. (SPJ)
  5. Explain ethical choices and processes to audiences. Encourage a civil dialogue with the public about journalistic practices, coverage and news content. (CAJ) 
  6. Respond quickly to questions about accuracy, clarity and fairness. (SPJ)
  7. Never misrepresent yourself using a false name when you’re acting on behalf of Noticiero Móvil in person or online. (Dow Jones)
  8. When soliciting information from readers and interview subjects you must identify yourself as a reporter for the Noticiero Móvil, and be tonally neutral in your questions. (The UCLA Daily Bruin)
  9. Noticiero Móvil journalists must avoid image manipulation unless it is using it to illustrate a certain concept or idea. Noticiero Móvil avoids usage of AI-generated images, but when they are used, Noticiero Móvil must explicitly state that the image has been created by AI and must attribute the AI generator engine that created it. (The UCLA Daily Bruin)
  10. To maintain transparency about image manipulation as well as to avoid inappropriate editorial impacts of manipulated images, Noticiero Móvil must:
  • Identify any image that has been digitally altered as a “photo illustration.”
  • Identify any staged image that illustrates a concept or idea as a “photo illustration.”
  • Require that any manipulated image is approved by the photo editors/managing editor. 
  • Report inappropriate or otherwise concerning photo illustrations or manipulated images to the editor in chief or digital managing editor. (The UCLA Daily Bruin)

7. Show respect, sensitivity and compassion to our audiences and sources

  1. Ethical journalism treats sources, subjects, colleagues and members of the public as human beings deserving of respect. (SPJ)
  2. Anonymity is a measure of last resort, when other efforts to find the information through attributable means are exhausted. (The UCLA Daily Bruin)
  3. We do not grant anonymity unless the following criteria are met:
    • The information is important enough to incur possible skepticism of readers.
    • The source has a strong and legitimate reason to request anonymity, such as the potential to lose their job, incur bodily harm or have their life change in a significant manner.
    • The editor in chief has approved anonymity.
    • A clear understanding is reached between the source and the reporter about what information can be attributed and what cannot be. 
    • The source must understand that the reporter(s), and supervising editor and the editor in chief will know their identity. (The UCLA Daily Bruin)
  4. Show compassion for those who may be affected by news coverage. Use heightened sensitivity when dealing with juveniles, victims of sex crimes, and sources or subjects who are inexperienced or unable to give consent. Consider cultural differences in approach and treatment. (SPJ)
  5. Be cautious when making promises, but keep any promises made. (SPJ)
  6. “Unpublishing” or removing digital content is sometimes used in exceptional cases where threat to public safety, legal restrictions, egregious error or undue stigmatization of a person may require extraordinary consideration. It is an extreme measure that should follow a defined resolution process. (CAJ)
  7. Realize that private people have a greater right to control information about themselves than public figures and others who seek power, influence or attention. Weigh the consequences of publishing or broadcasting personal information. (CAJ)
  8. Consult your editor before “connecting” to or “friending” any reporting contacts online who may need to be treated as confidential sources. Openly “friending” sources online could result in their discovery. (Dow Jones)
  9. We respect the rights of people involved in the news, and don’t refer to a person’s ethnicity, culture, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, political views, socioeconomic status, geographic location or physicality unless it is pertinent to the story. (The Guardian)
  10. We strive to ascertain and use people’s pronouns. We avoid reinforcing stereotypes and negative tropes and narratives associated with particular communities. (The Guardian)

8. Report fairly 

  1. Ethical journalism should be accurate and fair. Journalists should be honest and courageous in gathering, reporting and interpreting information. (SPJ)
  2. Balance a suspect’s right to a fair trial with the public’s right to know. Consider the implications of identifying criminal suspects before they face legal charges. (CAJ)
  3. We strive to give those who are publicly accused or criticized the opportunity to respond before we publish those criticisms or accusations. We make a genuine and reasonable effort to contact them, and if they decline to comment, we disclose that. (CAJ)
  4. Information posted by individuals on social media generally becomes public and can be used, but ethical norms of corroboration and verification still apply. We consider the media literacy of the poster and weigh the consequences of using material posted by minors, as they may not understand the public nature of their postings. (CAJ)
  5. Journalists who give a platform to outside commentators have an onus to make efforts to ensure that the standards of fairness and accuracy are applied. (CAJ)
  6. Reporting sometimes means hiring guides to make connections or travel to sources. Such people should be treated as part of the editorial team rather than sources, and should be vetted accordingly. (CAJ)
  7. We clearly label advertising, sponsored content, affiliate links and other third-party-driven content. (CAJ)
  8. When we collaborate with another entity, such as an institute or an independent researcher, to produce a piece of journalism, we acknowledge that partner’s role. (CAJ)
  9. Journalists must not engage in intimidation, harassment or persistent pursuit. (The Guardian)
  10. Journalists must not persist in questioning, telephoning, pursuing or photographing individuals once asked to desist; nor remain on property when asked to leave, and must not follow individuals. (The Guardian)

9. Avoid conflicts of interest 

  1. Avoid conflicts of interest, real or perceived. Disclose unavoidable conflicts. (SPJ)
  2. Deny favored treatment to advertisers, donors or any other special interests, and resist internal and external pressure to influence coverage. (CAJ)
  3. If a journalist is affiliated with an interest group, club or business they seek to report on, their resulting work is more likely to be biased or perceived as biased by our readership and the relationship should be disclosed. (The UCLA Daily Bruin)
  4. Avoid accepting gifts, materials, money, transportation and meals from sources. (Daily Bruin)
  5. Avoid participating in any other form of exchange that would provide individual benefit to the reporter. (The UCLA Daily Bruin)
  6. Avoid reporting on individuals with whom the reporter has a personal, financial or romantic relationship. (The UCLA Daily Bruin)
  7. Avoid reporting on any area of interest tied to their outside occupation or sources of funding. (The UCLA Daily Bruin)
  8. Journalists for Noticiero Móvil may not be involved with student government, including ASUN, politically oriented groups, clubs or other groups that are publicly perceived as political. (The UCLA Daily Bruin)
  9. Avoid attending protests based on political affiliation. If staff members participate in nonpartisan protests, they are barred from writing about or reporting on that topic during their time at Noticiero Móvil. (The UCLA Daily Bruin)
  10. Avoid publicly donating to partisan candidates or causes, both on campus and off campus. (The UCLA Daily Bruin)
  11. Avoid displaying overt preference in any areas of coverage even in sports. (The UCLA Daily Bruin)
  • For example, posting a “Trump 2020” logo to social media accounts or wearing a “Beat UNLV” T-shirt to a UNR football game the reporter is covering.
  • Members of Noticiero Móvil must abide by the following guidelines on their public, Noticiero Móvil affiliated social media accounts.
  • Members are not permitted to express their views about politics, the University of Nevada Reno, UNR administration or UNR sports (for sports writers).
  • Members may repost or retweet opinion pieces, but should not add unique commentary on the issues. (e.g. “I completely agree!” or “Vote them out 2020.”)
  • Members may repost, retweet or compose information-based posts on partisan topics. They should not engage in opinion-based discussion on said posts. 

Note: Opinion columnists at Noticiero Móvil have more leeway to engage in partisan causes and organizations. All involvements remain at the discretion of the editor in chief. (The UCLA Daily Bruin)

10. Examine our sources and surrounding institutions carefully to ensure those in authority are responsible for their actions.

  1. We pursue truth in the public interest. Our responsibility is to our audience, and we make editorial decisions on that basis. (CAJ)
  2. Be vigilant and courageous about holding those with power accountable. Give voice to the voiceless. (SPJ)
  3. Recognize a special obligation to serve as watchdogs over public affairs and government. Seek to ensure that the public’s business is conducted in the open, and that public records are open to all. (SPJ)
  4. Expose unethical conduct in journalism, including within our own organization. (SPJ)

Bibliography

Ilona Coutee, a senior Spanish and Psychology double major at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) wrote these ethics guidelines and policies for Noticiero Móvil.