At The Sunrise State, we pride ourselves in our fair, accurate, and independent reporting. We believe in the importance of reporting on issues in all of their complexity, buttressed by an informed analysis of the facts.
This code of ethics, much of which is based on and pulled from guidelines from the Society of Professional Journalists, are the ideals that we subscribe to as reporters in order to protect the integrity of our journalism.
BE ACCURATE AND FAIR
Ethical journalism fairly interprets the facts and does not misrepresent sources and subjects. Journalists should:
- Ensure the accuracy of their work, and verify information before releasing it.
- Provide context. Take care not to misrepresent or oversimplify in promoting, previewing, or summarizing a story.
- Identify sources, unless there is a justified reason to provide anonymity. The public is entitled to as much information as possible to judge the reliability and motivations of sources.
- Question sources’ motives before promising anonymity. Reserve anonymity for sources who may face danger, retribution, or other harm. Explain why anonymity was granted.
- Diligently seek subjects of news coverage to allow them to respond to criticism or allegations of wrongdoing. Avoid undercover or other surreptitious methods of gathering information unless traditional, open methods will not yield information vital to the public.
- Provide access to source material when it is relevant and appropriate.
- Never deliberately distort facts or context, including visual information. Clearly label illustrations and re-enactments.
- Never plagiarize, and always attribute where information comes from.
REPORT ON ISSUES IN ALL OF THEIR COMPLEXITY
- Tell a wide range of stories that reflect the diversity of our society, and seek sources whose voices we seldom hear.
- Avoid stereotyping by race, ethnicity, gender, immigration caste, region, status, religion, age, sexual orientation, disability, or physical appearance.
- Support the open exchange of views, even views they find repugnant.
MINIMIZE HARM
Ethical journalism treats sources, subjects, and colleagues as human beings deserving of respect. Journalists should:
- Be aware that reporting out information may cause harm or discomfort. Pursuit of the news is not a license for arrogance.
- Show compassion for those who may be negatively affected by news coverage. Use heightened sensitivity when dealing with children, survivors of sex crimes, and inexperienced sources.
- Realize that private people have a greater right to control information about themselves than public figures and others who seek power, influence, or attention, and that reporting on private people has a higher bar than reporting on public figures.
- Treat those affected by tragedy or grief sensitively and with care.
- Balance someone’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.
ACT INDEPENDENTLY
Journalists should not be beholden to any interests other than informing the public. Journalists should:
- Avoid conflicts of interest, and disclose unavoidable conflicts.
- Be vigilant and courageous about holding those with power accountable.
- Recognize a special obligation to ensure that the public’s business is conducted in the open.
- Refuse gifts, favors, fees, free travel, and special treatment, and avoid activities that compromise The Sunrise State's journalistic integrity.
- Be wary of sources offering information for favors or money; do not pay for access to news. Identify content provided by outside sources, whether paid or not. Deny favored treatment to advertisers, donors, or any other special interests, and resist their pressure to influence coverage. Distinguish news from advertising. Prominently label sponsored content.