Media Outlet NikVesti Date of first publication 25/07/2023 Date of Latest Change 19/09/2024

11. Responsibility for Content Provided by the General Public

11.1. User Generated Content/Eyewitness News

A Media Outlet shall ensure that the same principles of checking for accuracy, legal, and ethical compliance are applied to journalistic content sourced from the general public (UGC or Eyewitness News content) as with all content it publishes.

Does your Media Outlet publish any content that comes not from staff or freelancers but from external sources such as readers/viewers?

Yes

Does your Media Outlet have set structures to ensure the checking of externally sourced material undergoes the same principles as that created entirely by its own journalists?

Yes

11.2. Editorial Guidelines for UGC/Eyewitness News

There should be specific categories within the Media Outlet’s Editorial Guidelines for dealing with User Generated Content (UGC) or Eyewitness News and these should be publicly accessible. In relation to this type of content the guidelines shall indicate the verification process to be used, how the content should be published with any labelling required and include guidance on dealing with the content providers in a responsible manner.

Do your Editorial Guidelines also include provisions for externally-submitted material?

Yes

Are there Editorial Guidelines dealing with UGC/eyewitness news content?

Yes

If you want to publish additional information, please provide it here.

The editorial guidelines include the following:
https://nikvesti.com/editorpolicy

Content created by bloggers or blog posts used on the website are subject to review. If such content contradicts the editorial policy, ethical standards, or fact-checking standards, it will not be allowed for publication.

External users cannot publish UGC (User-Generated Content) in blogs on the website without pre-moderation. The chief editor is responsible for moderation and verification. Such materials must not contain defamation, offensive statements, violations of privacy, calls for violence, or expressions that incite hatred or discrimination on any grounds. The content must comply with legal norms and ethical standards, excluding the dissemination of false or manipulative information. If violations of these requirements are found, the material may be removed or corrected during moderation. If violations are discovered after publication, the editorial team reserves the right to delete or edit the content with appropriate notification to the author.

Do they include details on the verification processes to be used for this content?

Yes

If you want to publish additional information, please provide it here.

The editorial guidelines include the following:
https://nikvesti.com/editorpolicy

Content obtained from external sources is subject to the same review and adheres to the same standards as content created by our own journalists. This includes thorough fact-checking, verifying the credibility of sources, and ensuring compliance with ethical standards.

When using materials from external sources, the editorial team commits to:

Verifying the accuracy of the information and the origin of the materials;
Labeling such materials as obtained from external sources (indicating the external source within the publication text);
Adhering to ethical principles in interactions with providers of such content, avoiding manipulation or improper influence on how the material is presented.

Do they include guidance on the appropriate labelling of such content?

Yes

Do they include guidance on dealing with the providers of such content in a responsible and ethical manner?

Yes

11.3. Opinion Guidelines

In relation to opinion or comment pieces the guidelines should set clear requirements of the ethical principles expected which may include but is not limited to prohibition of comment due to defamation, privacy, hate speech and harassment. The Media Outlet should make clear its policy on the moderation of such content, whether it is pre or post publication, and its policy on take-down, notice and appeal provisions.

Do your Editorial Guidelines also include provision for ensuring comment material is free from defamation?

Yes

If you want to publish additional information, please provide it here.

The editorial guidelines include the following:

A blog is a material in which the author expresses their personal opinion on a particular issue in a free form. The editorial team of NikVesti may not necessarily share the views of the blog author.
Content created by bloggers or blog posts used on the website are subject to review. If such content contradicts the editorial policy, ethical standards, or fact-checking standards, it will not be allowed for publication.
The media website clearly distinguishes between news and the subjective opinions of bloggers. News content is based exclusively on facts and does not include the personal views of authors. Articles expressing opinions are clearly labeled as author’s opinions so that the audience understands they are not objective news.

Do your Editorial Guidelines also include provision for ensuring comment material is free from invasions of privacy?

Yes

If you want to publish additional information, please provide it here.

The editorial guidelines include the following:

Such materials must not contain defamation, offensive statements, breaches of privacy, calls for violence, or expressions that incite hatred or discrimination on any grounds.

Do your Editorial Guidelines also include provision for ensuring comment material is free from hate speech?

Yes

If you want to publish additional information, please provide it here.

The editorial guidelines include the following:

All materials published on the platform must adhere to high ethical standards and must not incite hatred or promote calls for violent actions. We are committed to upholding the principles of humanism, protecting human rights, and preventing any forms of violence.

Do your Editorial Guidelines also include provision for ensuring comment material is free from harassment?

Yes

If you want to publish additional information, please provide it here.

The guidelines state, "All materials published on the platform must adhere to high ethical standards, must not incite hatred, contain harassment, or promote calls for violent actions."

Is it clear to the public whether your Media Outlet’s moderation of such comment is pre- or post-publication?

Yes

Does this policy allow for the removal of offending material?

Yes