Media Outlet THE CAPRIVI VISION NEWSPAPER Date of first publication 20/12/2024 Date of Latest Change 03/04/2025
2. Editorial Mission
2.1. Editorial Mission Statement
The Media Outlet shall disclose its editorial mission statement which shall be consistent with the fundamental ethical principles of trustworthy journalism, and, as described in the Preamble, should incorporate principles of: ethical practice, good governance, self-regulation and Engagement with the public. A Media Outlet shall set out how it proposes to uphold these journalism principles through its Editorial Guidelines and processes which shall include arrangements in relation to internal accountability and of appropriate external accountability (see clauses 9 – 15). Best practice is to have these arrangements codified and made available publicly.
Does your Media Outlet have an editorial mission statement, or stated set of principles or editorial values?
YesProvide that statement here.
Editorial Rules
a) Accuracy and Verification
Trust in the accuracy, authenticity and reliability of our information is essential. Digital communications
present special challenges and we insist on seeking reliable corroboration of information.
Journalists should state the level of substantiation we have been able to achieve and indicate where we
have been unable to verify the facts independently.
We do not state as fact information about or from someone who we cannot authenticate (e.g., “A student who says she witnessed the riot”, not “A student who witnessed the riot”).
Where relevant we are open with readers in explaining what medium is used to conduct interviews and
how we have verified information. Satisfaction with sources is the responsibility of editors as well as
reporters and correspondents, and desk editors should be confident in challenging the dependability of
information.
b) Attribution and Anonymous quotations
People often speak more honestly if they can speak anonymously and non-attributed quotes can assist
the reader towards a truer understanding of a subject. But indiscriminate use of anonymous sources can
be used to promote narrow undisclosed political, commercial or other special interests.
There may be exceptional circumstances when anonymous pejorative quotes may be used, but only after
consultation with the senior responsible editor. In the absence of specific approval, we should
paraphrase anonymous pejorative quotes.
We strive to be honest about our sources, even if we can’t name them.
c) Sources of Information
Sources who give information and who put themselves at risk may be promised confidentiality. They should be protected at all costs. However, where possible, the sources of information should be identified
as specifically as possible.
Staff must not reproduce other people’s material without attribution, except in exceptional
circumstances – for example where the source must be protected — and only then with the permission of a responsible senior editor.
The source of published material obtained from another organisation should be acknowledged, including quotes taken from other newspaper articles.
Bylines should be carried only on material that is substantially the work of the named journalist. If an article contains a significant amount of news agency copy then the news agency should also be credited.
CWA 17493:2019 (E)
48
d) Copy approval:
The general rule is that interviewees or third parties should not be given the right to copy approval. In certain circumstances we may allow people to see copy or quotes in the interests of accuracy but we are not required to alter copy.
Offering copy approval should be avoided as a method of securing interviews or co-operation.
e) Reporting Children:
Special care should be taken when dealing with children (under the age of 16, although the rights of the child in international law cover individuals under the age of 18).
Children should not be asked questions beyond their knowledge and capacity to answer.
The responsible editor must be informed when children are photographed or interviewed without the consent of a responsible adult or parent.
Consent to publication should be sought where the child is reasonably considered able to make an informed decision.
Journalists should not make significant intrusions into children's private lives without their understanding and consent. If this happens it must be accompanied by a strong public interest justification.
In view of the longevity of online material, editors should consider whether to obscure children's identities to protect them from embarrassment or harm as they grow older.
f) Direct quotations:
Journalists and editors should never change direct quotations to alter their context or meaning, although minor editing may be needed for clarity.
Quotations that include falsehoods should be qualified with additional language, particularly when used in headlines or excerpts in Social Media.
g) Endorsements:
Journalists should not agree to promote through copy, photographs or footnotes the financial interests of prospective interviewees or contributors, or their sponsors, as a means of securing access to them.
Promotional information about a subject should be included only where it is of genuine interest or assistance to the reader.
h) Fairness and Use of Language:
We aim to provide inclusive and fair reporting which seeks to give voice to people or groups who are criticised. The more serious the criticism or allegations we are reporting the greater the obligation to allow the subject the opportunity to respond.
This right of response should be recognised for individuals and for groups, including minority groups, where general criticisms are made.
Our journalists and editors respect the reader and we should not casually use words that are likely to offend. The use of swear words, for instance, should only be when absolutely necessary to the facts of a piece, or to portray a character in an article and then used in direct quotes. We avoid using such language
in headlines or otherwise highlighting such words and we never us asterisks.
CWA 17493:2019 (E)
49
Fairness does not mean ‘false’ equivalence of all viewpoints. Where scientific or other evidence points to a certain conclusion beyond reasonable doubt, competing ones should not be presented as viable alternatives.
i) Grief:
People should be treated with sensitivity in reporting periods of grief and trauma.
j) Photographs, videos and images:
Altering pictures or distorting audio-visual material is generally unacceptable. Where it takes place there should be clear indication that the images have been changed and digitally enhanced or altered, images, montages and illustrations should be clearly labelled.
k) Ethnicity:
In general, we do not publish someone’s race or ethnic background or religion unless that information is
relevant to the story. We do not report the race of criminal suspects unless the ethnic background is part of a description that seeks to identify them or is important to the story (for example, in the case of hate crime).
l) Subterfuge:
Journalists should be frank and identify themselves as company employees when working on a story.
There may be instances involving stories of exceptional public interest where this does not apply, but this needs the approval of the responsible editor. This applies to anything we publish, including any information obtained by the subterfuge of others. (See Privacy section above).
m) Self-harm:
Journalists are asked to exercise care in reporting self-harm, in particular, cases of suicide. People who take their own lives are often disturbed more than people who carry out less extreme forms of self-harm, but in all cases it is important to avoid reporting in ways that risk encouraging others or that may compromise the privacy of others involved, including close relatives.
This should be borne in mind both in presentation, including the use of pictures, and in describing the method of self-harm.
When appropriate, a helpline number should be given, general information related to suicide prevention
and support groups should be provided. For example, in the UK, the Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123 and in the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255. Other international suicide helplines can be found at www.befrienders.org.
a) Accuracy and Verification
Trust in the accuracy, authenticity and reliability of our information is essential. Digital communications
present special challenges and we insist on seeking reliable corroboration of information.
Journalists should state the level of substantiation we have been able to achieve and indicate where we
have been unable to verify the facts independently.
We do not state as fact information about or from someone who we cannot authenticate (e.g., “A student who says she witnessed the riot”, not “A student who witnessed the riot”).
Where relevant we are open with readers in explaining what medium is used to conduct interviews and
how we have verified information. Satisfaction with sources is the responsibility of editors as well as
reporters and correspondents, and desk editors should be confident in challenging the dependability of
information.
b) Attribution and Anonymous quotations
People often speak more honestly if they can speak anonymously and non-attributed quotes can assist
the reader towards a truer understanding of a subject. But indiscriminate use of anonymous sources can
be used to promote narrow undisclosed political, commercial or other special interests.
There may be exceptional circumstances when anonymous pejorative quotes may be used, but only after
consultation with the senior responsible editor. In the absence of specific approval, we should
paraphrase anonymous pejorative quotes.
We strive to be honest about our sources, even if we can’t name them.
c) Sources of Information
Sources who give information and who put themselves at risk may be promised confidentiality. They should be protected at all costs. However, where possible, the sources of information should be identified
as specifically as possible.
Staff must not reproduce other people’s material without attribution, except in exceptional
circumstances – for example where the source must be protected — and only then with the permission of a responsible senior editor.
The source of published material obtained from another organisation should be acknowledged, including quotes taken from other newspaper articles.
Bylines should be carried only on material that is substantially the work of the named journalist. If an article contains a significant amount of news agency copy then the news agency should also be credited.
CWA 17493:2019 (E)
48
d) Copy approval:
The general rule is that interviewees or third parties should not be given the right to copy approval. In certain circumstances we may allow people to see copy or quotes in the interests of accuracy but we are not required to alter copy.
Offering copy approval should be avoided as a method of securing interviews or co-operation.
e) Reporting Children:
Special care should be taken when dealing with children (under the age of 16, although the rights of the child in international law cover individuals under the age of 18).
Children should not be asked questions beyond their knowledge and capacity to answer.
The responsible editor must be informed when children are photographed or interviewed without the consent of a responsible adult or parent.
Consent to publication should be sought where the child is reasonably considered able to make an informed decision.
Journalists should not make significant intrusions into children's private lives without their understanding and consent. If this happens it must be accompanied by a strong public interest justification.
In view of the longevity of online material, editors should consider whether to obscure children's identities to protect them from embarrassment or harm as they grow older.
f) Direct quotations:
Journalists and editors should never change direct quotations to alter their context or meaning, although minor editing may be needed for clarity.
Quotations that include falsehoods should be qualified with additional language, particularly when used in headlines or excerpts in Social Media.
g) Endorsements:
Journalists should not agree to promote through copy, photographs or footnotes the financial interests of prospective interviewees or contributors, or their sponsors, as a means of securing access to them.
Promotional information about a subject should be included only where it is of genuine interest or assistance to the reader.
h) Fairness and Use of Language:
We aim to provide inclusive and fair reporting which seeks to give voice to people or groups who are criticised. The more serious the criticism or allegations we are reporting the greater the obligation to allow the subject the opportunity to respond.
This right of response should be recognised for individuals and for groups, including minority groups, where general criticisms are made.
Our journalists and editors respect the reader and we should not casually use words that are likely to offend. The use of swear words, for instance, should only be when absolutely necessary to the facts of a piece, or to portray a character in an article and then used in direct quotes. We avoid using such language
in headlines or otherwise highlighting such words and we never us asterisks.
CWA 17493:2019 (E)
49
Fairness does not mean ‘false’ equivalence of all viewpoints. Where scientific or other evidence points to a certain conclusion beyond reasonable doubt, competing ones should not be presented as viable alternatives.
i) Grief:
People should be treated with sensitivity in reporting periods of grief and trauma.
j) Photographs, videos and images:
Altering pictures or distorting audio-visual material is generally unacceptable. Where it takes place there should be clear indication that the images have been changed and digitally enhanced or altered, images, montages and illustrations should be clearly labelled.
k) Ethnicity:
In general, we do not publish someone’s race or ethnic background or religion unless that information is
relevant to the story. We do not report the race of criminal suspects unless the ethnic background is part of a description that seeks to identify them or is important to the story (for example, in the case of hate crime).
l) Subterfuge:
Journalists should be frank and identify themselves as company employees when working on a story.
There may be instances involving stories of exceptional public interest where this does not apply, but this needs the approval of the responsible editor. This applies to anything we publish, including any information obtained by the subterfuge of others. (See Privacy section above).
m) Self-harm:
Journalists are asked to exercise care in reporting self-harm, in particular, cases of suicide. People who take their own lives are often disturbed more than people who carry out less extreme forms of self-harm, but in all cases it is important to avoid reporting in ways that risk encouraging others or that may compromise the privacy of others involved, including close relatives.
This should be borne in mind both in presentation, including the use of pictures, and in describing the method of self-harm.
When appropriate, a helpline number should be given, general information related to suicide prevention
and support groups should be provided. For example, in the UK, the Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123 and in the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255. Other international suicide helplines can be found at www.befrienders.org.
Is that statement posted online?
YesWhat is the URL where it is published?
https://linktr.ee/caprivinews