Code of Ethics

This Code of Ethics governs the conduct of all journalists, editors, contributors, and staff at A News Time. It reflects our commitment to responsible journalism and draws on the principles of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) Code of Ethics, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) Global Charter of Ethics, and widely accepted standards of ethical news reporting.

1. Seek Truth and Report It Accurately

Ethical journalism starts with the pursuit of truth. Our journalists are committed to accuracy, thoroughness, and honest reporting.

• Verify all facts from multiple independent sources before publication. When verification is not possible, clearly state the limitations.
• Distinguish clearly between news reporting, analysis, opinion, and commentary. Readers should never be uncertain about what type of content they are reading.
• Headlines must accurately reflect the substance of the article. We do not use misleading, clickbait, or sensationalised headlines.
• Provide full context for all claims, statistics, and quotes. Cherry-picking data or quotes to support a predetermined narrative is a violation of this code.
• Identify sources wherever possible. When anonymous sources are used, explain to readers why anonymity was granted and what steps were taken to verify the information.
• Never plagiarise. Always attribute information, ideas, and quotes to their original source.
• When errors are discovered, correct them promptly and transparently. See our Corrections policy in Section 8.

2. Independence

Our editorial decisions are made independently of commercial, political, governmental, or personal interests.

• No advertiser, sponsor, investor, or external party has any influence over what we publish, how we report, or what editorial decisions we make.
• Journalists must not accept gifts, favours, fees, free travel, or other benefits from sources or potential sources that could compromise or appear to compromise their independence.
• All journalists and editors must disclose any personal, financial, or political interests that could present a conflict of interest with a story they are covering or editing. Where a conflict exists, the individual must recuse themselves from the story.
• We do not engage in paid-for editorial coverage. Sponsored content and native advertising are handled by separate teams and always clearly labelled.

3. Fairness and Impartiality

• Present all relevant sides of a story fairly and proportionally. Giving equal weight to fringe views and established evidence is not balance — it is false equivalence.
• Give individuals and organisations the right of reply before publication when they are the subject of criticism, allegations, or negative coverage. Document all attempts to obtain a response.
• Do not allow personal bias, ideology, or preconceptions to shape reporting. Our role is to inform, not to advocate.
• Treat all people we encounter in our work — sources, subjects, readers, and colleagues — with respect and professionalism.

4. Minimising Harm

• Exercise heightened sensitivity when reporting on children, victims of crime, people with mental health conditions, and other vulnerable individuals. Consider the long-term impact publication may have on their lives.
• Balance the public's right to information against the potential harm that publication may cause to individuals. The more private the individual and the more sensitive the information, the stronger the justification for publication must be.
• Do not sensationalise, exploit tragedy, or use gratuitously graphic images. Show compassion for those affected by news events.
• Be cautious about identifying victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, or other sensitive situations. Always follow applicable legal restrictions on identification.
• Consider the cumulative impact of coverage on communities that are frequently stereotyped or marginalised.
• In reporting on suicide or self-harm, follow the Samaritans media guidelines and avoid providing methods or presenting suicide as a solution.

5. Source Protection

Protecting confidential sources is a cornerstone of journalism. Sources who provide information in confidence must be protected, as the ability of journalists to gather information from confidential sources is essential to the public interest.

• Never reveal the identity of a confidential source without their explicit consent, except where required by a court order.
• Take appropriate operational security measures to protect source communications, including the use of encrypted channels where warranted.
• Be transparent with sources about the terms of confidentiality before information is shared.

6. Digital and Online Standards

The same ethical standards apply to all content regardless of platform or format — whether published on our website, shared on social media, or distributed through newsletters.

• Verify user-generated content, social media posts, and digital media before using them in our reporting. Assess authenticity, provenance, and context.
• When using images or video sourced from social media or third parties, obtain permission where feasible, provide attribution, and assess whether the original poster understood the potential reach of their content.
• Staff social media accounts should not be used in ways that could undermine the credibility or impartiality of A News Time.
• Where we use AI-assisted tools in any stage of content creation, we disclose this transparently and maintain human editorial oversight and accountability for all published content.

7. Accountability and Transparency

• We are transparent about our methods, sources, and any limitations in our reporting.
• We welcome reader feedback, scrutiny, and challenge. Journalism exists to serve the public, and public trust requires accountability.
• We clearly label all sponsored content, affiliate links, native advertising, and partnership features so readers can distinguish them from independent editorial content.
• We take complaints seriously and have a formal complaints process through which readers can raise concerns about our content or conduct.
• We hold ourselves to the same standards of scrutiny that we apply to the subjects of our reporting.

8. Corrections and Retractions

When we get something wrong, we correct it — promptly, prominently, and transparently.

• Minor corrections (typos, minor factual updates) are made directly in the article with a note at the bottom indicating the change and date.
• Material corrections (errors of substance that affect the reader's understanding) are noted with a prominent correction notice at the top of the article.
• Retractions are issued when a published article is found to be fundamentally flawed or unsubstantiated. The article is replaced with a retraction notice explaining why the content was withdrawn.

We do not silently alter published articles in ways that change their meaning. All significant changes are disclosed.

9. Enforcement

All journalists, editors, and contributors are required to adhere to this Code of Ethics. Breaches will be investigated and may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment or contract. Repeated or serious breaches may be reported to relevant industry bodies.

If you have concerns about any content published by A News Time or the conduct of any of our staff, please contact help@anewstime.com.