DNPA Code Of Ethics

DNPA Code of Ethics for Digital News Publishers

This Code of Ethics outlines the fundamental principles and best practices that members of the Digital News Publishers Association (DNPA) are committed to upholding in their journalistic endeavors. It serves as a guiding framework to ensure responsible, ethical, and credible news dissemination in the digital space.

Preamble:

Digital news publishers play a crucial role in informing the public, fostering democratic discourse, and holding power accountable. With this responsibility comes the imperative to adhere to the highest standards of journalistic integrity, transparency, and public service. This Code reflects our collective commitment to these values.

Core Principles:

  1. Accuracy and Fairness:
    • Truthfulness: Strive for accuracy in all reporting, verifying facts from reliable sources.
    • Balance: Present information fairly and impartially, giving due consideration to all relevant perspectives.
    • Context: Provide sufficient context to ensure that news is understood accurately and not misleadingly.
    • Correction: Promptly correct factual errors and omissions with clear and transparent acknowledgments.
  2. Transparency and Accountability:
    • Attribution: Clearly attribute sources of information, especially when quoting or using third-party content.
    • Disclosure of Conflicts: Disclose any potential conflicts of interest that might influence reporting.
    • Distinction: Clearly distinguish between news, opinion, analysis, and sponsored content/advertisements.
    • Accessibility: Ensure that the Code of Ethics and grievance redressal mechanisms are easily accessible to the public.
  3. Independence:
    • Maintain editorial independence from political, commercial, or any other external pressures.
    • Resist undue influence from advertisers, government, or special interest groups.
  4. Privacy and Sensitivity:
    • Respect the privacy of individuals, especially in sensitive situations, while balancing it with the public’s right to know.
    • Exercise caution and sensitivity when reporting on vulnerable individuals, minors, or matters involving grief, trauma, or violence.
    • Avoid sensationalism or exploitation of private lives for public consumption without legitimate journalistic justification.
  5. Integrity and Professionalism:
    • Obtain information through honest and ethical means. Avoid misrepresentation or deception unless absolutely necessary for public interest reporting and with clear justification.
    • Do not plagiarize or knowingly publish false information.
    • Treat all individuals with respect and dignity, avoiding discrimination based on race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or any other characteristic.
    • Maintain professional conduct and avoid personal attacks or abusive language.
  6. User-Generated Content (UGC) and Comments:
    • Establish clear policies for moderating user comments and UGC to prevent the spread of hate speech, misinformation, defamation, or illegal content.
    • Take reasonable steps to remove content that violates these policies once identified.
    • Inform users about the terms governing their submissions and the moderation process.
  7. Advertising and Commercial Content:
    • Clearly label all advertising, sponsored content, and promotional material to distinguish it from editorial content.
    • Ensure that commercial content does not compromise editorial independence or integrity.
  8. Fair Competition:
    • Engage in fair and ethical competition within the digital news industry.
    • Respect intellectual property rights and do not engage in unfair practices to gain an advantage.

Grievance Redressal Mechanism:

DNPA members are committed to establishing a robust and accessible grievance redressal mechanism to address complaints from the public regarding content published on their platforms. This mechanism typically includes:

  • Designated Grievance Officer: Each member organization will appoint a Grievance Officer responsible for receiving and addressing complaints.
  • Response Time: A commitment to acknowledge complaints within a specified timeframe and resolve them within a reasonable period.
  • Review Process: A clear process for reviewing complaints, investigating allegations, and taking appropriate action, including corrections, retractions, or removal of content where warranted.
  • Transparency: Information about the grievance redressal process and the contact details of the Grievance Officer will be prominently displayed on the publisher’s website.

Commitment:

By adhering to this Code of Ethics, members of the Digital News Publishers Association reaffirm their dedication to serving the public interest, fostering trust, and upholding the highest standards of ethical journalism in the digital age.

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