Effective Date: 15 April 2025
Global South Media News (“we,” “our,” or “us”) is committed to upholding the highest standards of ethical journalism and editorial integrity. This policy outlines the core principles and practices that guide our work to ensure accurate, fair, and trustworthy journalism, in alignment with the Journalism Trust Initiative (JTI)—an effort led by Reporters Sans Frontières (RSF).
The JTI standard, officially known as CWA 17493, is an internationally recognized framework created to promote transparency, accountability, and reliability in journalism. It was developed by the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) in collaboration with RSF and over 120 media and civil society organizations. It establishes best practices to help media outlets maintain the integrity and quality of their reporting.
This document affirms our commitment to delivering journalism that is transparent, credible, and in service of the public interest, in accordance with the CWA 17493 standard.
For more on the Journalism Trust Initiative (JTI), visit: https://www.jti-app.com/footer/cwa
The full CWA 17493:2019 standard is available at: https://www.cencenelec.eu/media/CEN-CENELEC/CWAs/ICT/cwa17493.pdf
1. Purpose of the Policy
This policy aims to:
- Promote transparency, accountability, and ethical conduct in our journalistic operations.
- Align our workflows and content with the principles of the JTI standard (CWA 17493).
- Uphold public trust through adherence to high professional standards in journalism.
2. Editorial Independence
We safeguard editorial independence by:
- Maintaining a clear distinction between editorial content and commercial interests.
- Labelling advertisements, sponsored posts, and branded content distinctly.
- Ensuring our newsroom is free from political or external pressures that could compromise journalistic integrity.
3. Accuracy and Verification
To deliver accurate and reliable information, we:
- Employ thorough fact-checking processes prior to publication.
- Prioritize primary sources and verify all information with credible references.
- Issue prompt and transparent corrections when necessary.
4. Fairness and Impartiality
We aim to reflect diverse viewpoints by:
- Striving for balanced, impartial reporting.
- Avoiding and disclosing any conflicts of interest.
- Refraining from biased, discriminatory, or stereotypical portrayals.
5. Transparency and Accountability
To remain accountable to our readers, we:
- Disclose our ownership, funding sources, and governance.
- Provide accessible channels for public feedback and complaints.
- Make our editorial standards and correction procedures publicly available.
6. Ethical Newsgathering Practices
Our team follows ethical principles in all reporting activities, including:
- Respecting individual privacy and minimizing undue intrusion.
- Securing informed consent when interviewing sources, especially vulnerable individuals.
- Gathering content using lawful and responsible methods.
7. Inclusion and Diversity
We are committed to inclusive reporting by:
- Amplifying underrepresented voices and perspectives.
- Avoiding content or practices that reinforce stereotypes or discrimination.
- Actively engaging diverse contributors in content creation.
8. Corrections and Feedback Mechanisms
We welcome audience input and address concerns by:
- Maintaining a clearly visible system for submitting corrections or feedback.
- Promptly correcting errors and clearly marking updates in original content.
- Regularly reviewing feedback to enhance our editorial practices.
9. Compliance with JTI Standards
As a JTI-compliant newsroom, we:
- Conduct regular internal assessments and third-party reviews to ensure adherence to CWA 17493.
- Publish annual transparency reports detailing compliance and areas for improvement.
- Evolve our editorial policies in line with updated standards and audience expectations.
10. Training and Capacity Building
We support continuous learning by:
- Offering regular training on ethical journalism, bias mitigation, and responsible reporting.
- Providing staff with the tools and resources necessary to uphold this policy.
11. Updates to This Policy
This policy will be reviewed periodically to reflect changes in regulations, industry best practices, or internal processes. Revised versions will include an updated “Effective Date.” Continued use of our services or platforms indicates acceptance of the updated terms.
12. Contact Us
For inquiries about this Ethical Journalism and Editorial Conduct Policy or to report a concern, please contact us at:
Email: info@globalsouthmedianews.com
Thank you for trusting Global South Media News as your source for dependable and ethical journalism.