This is a code that helps digital news websites know how to work honestly and share the right information. These are simple rules that every website should follow to make sure they provide news in a truthful and fair way.
1. Providing Accurate and Truthful Information
- Share Correct Information: Every news story should be truthful and accurate. If something is wrong, it should be fixed quickly.
- Check Sources: Always make sure the information comes from reliable and truthful sources.
2. Complete Honesty
- Stay Neutral: When writing news, our personal opinions or outside influences shouldn’t affect the story. We must show every side fairly.
- Clear Difference Between Ads and News: If something is an advertisement, it should be clearly shown as an ad.
3. Clarity and Transparency
- Give Credit: Always mention where the information or pictures come from. If someone else helped, give them credit.
- Be Open About Mistakes: If there is a mistake in a story, it should be corrected quickly and clearly.
4. Fairness
- Show All Sides: News should show all sides of a story, not just one. Everyone deserves to be heard.
- Allow a Reply: If someone is criticized in a story, they should have a chance to respond.
5. Respect Privacy
- Keep Personal Information Private: Don’t share personal details of people unless it’s really important for the news.
- Be Sensitive: Be careful not to make things worse for people who might already be going through a tough time.
6. Responsibility and Accountability
- Take Responsibility: Journalists are responsible for the news they share. If they make a mistake, they should admit it and fix it.
- Engage with Readers: Listen to what your audience says, and respond to their questions or feedback.
7. Ethical Use of Social Media
- Check Social Media Info: Before sharing news from social media, make sure it’s true.
- Share Carefully: When sharing news on social media, always make sure it’s correct and follows ethical rules.
8. Avoid Plagiarism
- Original Content: Always create your own content or properly give credit to others for their work.
- Respect Copyright: Always follow the law when using pictures, videos, or other content created by someone else.
9. Avoid Sensationalism
- Don’t Over-Exaggerate: Headlines and stories should not be exaggerated. Always tell the truth.
- Use Respectful Language: Avoid using language that could make people angry, upset, or scared.
10. Inclusivity and Diversity
- Show Diversity: The news should represent people from different backgrounds, genders, and communities.
- Cover All Important Issues: Make sure to cover stories that matter to everyone, especially those who are often not heard.
11. Protecting User Data
- Keep Information Safe: Protect personal data of people visiting the website.
- Secure Content: Make sure the website is safe from hackers and protects everyone’s information.
12. Ethical Advertising
- Label Ads Clearly: If something is an advertisement, make sure it’s clearly marked as one.
- Don’t Let Ads Influence News: Ads should never influence or change the news stories.