Ethics Policy
At Jharkhand Reporter, we believe that public awareness is the backbone of justice and the foundation of a healthy democracy. Our mission is to uphold ethical, transparent and responsible journalism that serves the people of Jharkhand and beyond.
We are committed to the free flow of verified, contextual, fair and independent information. We recognize that the trust of our readers must be earned and protected through consistent integrity and accountability.
This Ethics Policy defines the core values and standards that guide our editorial practices, newsroom culture and every piece of published content.
1. Seek Truth and Report It
We are committed to reporting accurate, fair, and verified information. Our journalists and contributors must:
- Take full responsibility for the accuracy of their reporting.
- Verify facts using credible and original sources whenever possible.
- Prioritize accuracy over speedโno urgency justifies inaccuracy.
- Provide context and avoid oversimplification or misrepresentation.
- Continuously update stories as new facts emerge.
- Identify sources clearly and explain motivations when necessary.
- Grant anonymity only when it protects sources from harm and when information cannot be obtained otherwise. The reason must be disclosed transparently.
- Offer individuals or organizations the opportunity to respond to allegations or criticism.
- Avoid covert reporting methods unless public interest demands it and no alternative exists.
- Represent diverse perspectives and ensure coverage includes underrepresented voices.
- Avoid stereotyping and be mindful of personal biases that may affect reporting.
- Clearly distinguish between news, analysis, commentary, satire, and opinion.
- Never distort facts, manipulate visuals, or plagiarize. Attribution is mandatory.
2. Minimize Harm
We treat all individuals as human beings deserving dignity and respect. Our reporting must:
- Balance public interest with potential harm or discomfort to individuals.
- Show empathy toward victims of crimes, minors, vulnerable groups, and those who cannot provide informed consent.
- Respect cultural differences and personal boundaries.
- Understand that legal access to information does not automatically justify publication.
- Respect the privacy rights of private individuals more than those of public figures.
- Avoid sensationalism, exploitation, or publishing information solely meant to provoke curiosity.
- Consider legal implications and fairness when identifying suspects or reporting on criminal investigations.
- Recognize the long-term impact of digital permanence and provide updates when necessary.
3. Act Independently
Our foremost duty is to serve the public interest. To maintain independence, all team members must:
- Avoid any real or perceived conflict of interest and disclose unavoidable ones.
- Decline gifts, paid travel, favors or special treatment from any source.
- Avoid political, financial or personal activities that may compromise journalistic integrity.
- Refuse to pay sources for access to information or interviews.
- Clearly label sponsored, paid, or third-party content.
- Ensure advertisers or donors have no influence over editorial decisions.
- Maintain a clear separation between news and advertising and avoid formats that blur the line.
4. Be Accountable and Transparent
We believe accountability strengthens public trust. Therefore, we commit to:
- Explaining our journalistic processes and engaging audiences in constructive dialogue.
- Responding promptly and respectfully to concerns about accuracy, fairness, or clarity.
- Correcting errors publicly and prominently, with clear explanations when necessary.
- Investigating and addressing breaches of ethics within our organization.
- Holding ourselves to the same standards we expect from others in public life.
Conclusion
Jharkhand Reporter is committed to ethical journalism that empowers citizens, strengthens democracy and protects public interest. These principles are not optionalโthey guide every editorial decision, report, and newsroom action.
We pledge to uphold this code with honesty, transparency, and responsibility.
