Media Outlet Hazara Express News Date of first publication 28/03/2025 Date of Latest Change 29/03/2025
12. Responsibility for Sources
A Media Outlet shall ensure that the sources used for its journalism are dealt with responsibly and their anonymity protected when justified.
12.1. Anonymity
The procedures for granting anonymity to sources shall be covered by the Editorial Guidelines. The reason for anonymity should be clarified for the public.
Are there guidelines on the procedures to be followed for granting anonymity to sources?
YesAre the reasons for granting anonymity made clear to the public?
YesIf you want to publish additional information, please provide it here.
Yes, Hazara Express News has guidelines for granting anonymity to sources, which are included in its Editorial Guidelines. These guidelines ensure that sources who need to remain anonymous are treated with integrity and respect, while maintaining the outlet's commitment to accuracy and transparency. Key aspects of these guidelines include:
1. Clear Justification for Anonymity:
Anonymity is only granted when there is a clear and legitimate reason, such as protecting the source’s safety, privacy, or to avoid repercussions for providing sensitive information.
The editorial team must ensure that the decision to grant anonymity is justified, and it must be in the best interest of the story's accuracy and public interest.
2. Internal Accountability:
The editorial team, including the editor-in-chief, is responsible for approving any request for anonymity. The decision should be made transparently within the editorial process.
Verification of the identity of the anonymous source is mandatory. The outlet needs to be certain of the source's credibility before allowing anonymity.
3. Anonymity Limitations:
Anonymity should be granted on a case-by-case basis and limited in scope to protect the identity of the source.
The use of anonymous sources is generally discouraged unless absolutely necessary to protect the source or when their identity cannot be revealed without risking harm.
4. Disclosure of Anonymity:
Whenever anonymity is granted, it is clearly indicated in the report. The guidelines ensure that the public is informed about the nature of the anonymity, including the reason for it, unless doing so could compromise the source’s security.
The reason for granting anonymity may be disclosed to maintain transparency, but the identity of the source is not revealed.
5. Record-Keeping and Verification:
Even though the source’s identity remains confidential in the publication, Hazara Express News maintains a confidential record of the source’s identity for internal verification and accountability purposes.
The editorial team ensures that there is no misuse of anonymous sourcing and that the information provided by anonymous sources is thoroughly verified before being published.
6. Ethical Responsibility:
The guidelines ensure that the editorial team applies ethical standards when dealing with anonymous sources to avoid potential misuse or manipulation of information.
Anonymous sources must still adhere to truthful reporting standards, and their input is cross-verified with other sources.
1. Clear Justification for Anonymity:
Anonymity is only granted when there is a clear and legitimate reason, such as protecting the source’s safety, privacy, or to avoid repercussions for providing sensitive information.
The editorial team must ensure that the decision to grant anonymity is justified, and it must be in the best interest of the story's accuracy and public interest.
2. Internal Accountability:
The editorial team, including the editor-in-chief, is responsible for approving any request for anonymity. The decision should be made transparently within the editorial process.
Verification of the identity of the anonymous source is mandatory. The outlet needs to be certain of the source's credibility before allowing anonymity.
3. Anonymity Limitations:
Anonymity should be granted on a case-by-case basis and limited in scope to protect the identity of the source.
The use of anonymous sources is generally discouraged unless absolutely necessary to protect the source or when their identity cannot be revealed without risking harm.
4. Disclosure of Anonymity:
Whenever anonymity is granted, it is clearly indicated in the report. The guidelines ensure that the public is informed about the nature of the anonymity, including the reason for it, unless doing so could compromise the source’s security.
The reason for granting anonymity may be disclosed to maintain transparency, but the identity of the source is not revealed.
5. Record-Keeping and Verification:
Even though the source’s identity remains confidential in the publication, Hazara Express News maintains a confidential record of the source’s identity for internal verification and accountability purposes.
The editorial team ensures that there is no misuse of anonymous sourcing and that the information provided by anonymous sources is thoroughly verified before being published.
6. Ethical Responsibility:
The guidelines ensure that the editorial team applies ethical standards when dealing with anonymous sources to avoid potential misuse or manipulation of information.
Anonymous sources must still adhere to truthful reporting standards, and their input is cross-verified with other sources.
12.2. Privacy Rights
Editorial guidelines should protect the privacy rights of individuals and their safety.
Are there guidelines to ensure that the privacy rights and safety of individuals are protected in your journalistic activity?
YesIf you want to publish additional information, please provide it here.
Yes, Hazara Express News has guidelines in place to ensure the privacy rights and safety of individuals are protected in its journalistic activities. These guidelines include:
Protection of Personal Information: The outlet ensures that personal information is not disclosed without consent unless it is in the public interest or required for the accuracy of the story.
Sensitivity to Vulnerable Individuals: Extra care is taken when reporting on vulnerable individuals, such as minors, victims of violence, or people in distress, ensuring that their identities and safety are not compromised.
Informed Consent: When obtaining personal information, individuals are fully informed about how their data will be used and are asked for explicit consent before publishing.
Data Security: The outlet ensures that any sensitive data or personal information collected is securely stored and not disclosed to unauthorized parties.
Minimizing Harm: The editorial team follows guidelines to avoid unnecessary harm or distress, especially when reporting on sensitive topics such as health, trauma, or private matters.
Right to be Forgotten: If an individual wishes to withdraw consent after a report has been published, the outlet takes steps to address these requests in line with applicable legal and ethical standards.
Protection of Personal Information: The outlet ensures that personal information is not disclosed without consent unless it is in the public interest or required for the accuracy of the story.
Sensitivity to Vulnerable Individuals: Extra care is taken when reporting on vulnerable individuals, such as minors, victims of violence, or people in distress, ensuring that their identities and safety are not compromised.
Informed Consent: When obtaining personal information, individuals are fully informed about how their data will be used and are asked for explicit consent before publishing.
Data Security: The outlet ensures that any sensitive data or personal information collected is securely stored and not disclosed to unauthorized parties.
Minimizing Harm: The editorial team follows guidelines to avoid unnecessary harm or distress, especially when reporting on sensitive topics such as health, trauma, or private matters.
Right to be Forgotten: If an individual wishes to withdraw consent after a report has been published, the outlet takes steps to address these requests in line with applicable legal and ethical standards.
12.3. Independence and Sources
There should be guidelines on establishing relations with sources which protect the independence of the journalism.
Are there guidelines to ensure the independence of journalism relative to the sources for content?
YesIf you want to publish additional information, please provide it here.
Yes, Hazara Express News has guidelines in place to ensure the independence of journalism relative to the sources of content. These guidelines are designed to prevent any external influence from shaping editorial decisions, ensuring objective and impartial reporting. Key aspects of these guidelines include:
Separation of Editorial and Commercial Interests: The editorial team operates independently of commercial or business interests, ensuring that advertising or sponsorship does not influence editorial content.
Transparency with Sources: Sources of content are clearly identified, and editorial decisions are made based solely on the merit of the information, rather than any external pressure or influence.
Avoiding Conflicts of Interest: Journalists and editors are required to disclose any potential conflicts of interest, and they must avoid situations where their personal or professional interests could compromise their objectivity.
Editorial Oversight: Content goes through a systematic editorial process that includes oversight to ensure that the information is unbiased and adheres to journalistic standards, regardless of the source.
Protection from External Influence: Journalists are encouraged to seek a diverse range of sources to ensure balanced coverage and prevent any single source from dominating the narrative.
Accountability for Editorial Independence: The editorial team, led by the editor-in-chief, ensures that editorial independence is upheld, and any breach of this principle is investigated and addressed.
Separation of Editorial and Commercial Interests: The editorial team operates independently of commercial or business interests, ensuring that advertising or sponsorship does not influence editorial content.
Transparency with Sources: Sources of content are clearly identified, and editorial decisions are made based solely on the merit of the information, rather than any external pressure or influence.
Avoiding Conflicts of Interest: Journalists and editors are required to disclose any potential conflicts of interest, and they must avoid situations where their personal or professional interests could compromise their objectivity.
Editorial Oversight: Content goes through a systematic editorial process that includes oversight to ensure that the information is unbiased and adheres to journalistic standards, regardless of the source.
Protection from External Influence: Journalists are encouraged to seek a diverse range of sources to ensure balanced coverage and prevent any single source from dominating the narrative.
Accountability for Editorial Independence: The editorial team, led by the editor-in-chief, ensures that editorial independence is upheld, and any breach of this principle is investigated and addressed.
12.4. Diversity of Sources
Editorial guidelines should ensure that a diversity of sources are consulted in producing journalistic content with adequate time for response.
Do the guidelines ensure that a diversity of sources is used in the production of your journalistic content?
YesIf you want to publish additional information, please provide it here.
Yes, Hazara Express News’s editorial guidelines ensure that a diversity of sources is used in the production of journalistic content. These guidelines emphasize the importance of balanced reporting and ensuring that various viewpoints and perspectives are represented in every story. Key aspects of these guidelines include:
Inclusive Sourcing: Journalists are encouraged to consult a wide range of sources to ensure that multiple perspectives are considered and reported. This includes reaching out to experts, community members, officials, and other relevant stakeholders.
Avoiding One-Sided Reporting: The guidelines stress the importance of not relying on a single source or viewpoint. Reporters are trained to seek out opposing or differing views to provide balanced coverage.
Representation of Diverse Groups: The editorial process ensures that stories reflect the diversity of society, including underrepresented or marginalized groups, so that all voices are heard.
Cross-Verification of Sources: To ensure accuracy and fairness, information from multiple sources is cross-verified before being published. This helps reduce bias and ensures that content is reliable.
Ethical Sourcing: The guidelines require that sources are credible and reliable, and that their contributions are framed accurately and fairly. This ensures that diverse perspectives are presented in a responsible way.
Transparency of Sources: Whenever possible, the identities of sources are disclosed, or the nature of the sources is explained, ensuring that the public understands the range of information used in the reporting.
Inclusive Sourcing: Journalists are encouraged to consult a wide range of sources to ensure that multiple perspectives are considered and reported. This includes reaching out to experts, community members, officials, and other relevant stakeholders.
Avoiding One-Sided Reporting: The guidelines stress the importance of not relying on a single source or viewpoint. Reporters are trained to seek out opposing or differing views to provide balanced coverage.
Representation of Diverse Groups: The editorial process ensures that stories reflect the diversity of society, including underrepresented or marginalized groups, so that all voices are heard.
Cross-Verification of Sources: To ensure accuracy and fairness, information from multiple sources is cross-verified before being published. This helps reduce bias and ensures that content is reliable.
Ethical Sourcing: The guidelines require that sources are credible and reliable, and that their contributions are framed accurately and fairly. This ensures that diverse perspectives are presented in a responsible way.
Transparency of Sources: Whenever possible, the identities of sources are disclosed, or the nature of the sources is explained, ensuring that the public understands the range of information used in the reporting.