Ethical standards for freelancers
Accuracy
Primary sources are the most trusted by readers and editors
Using named sources makes your work more reliable
Checking multiple sources can increase the story’s strength
Try to distinguish between fact and opinion in stories
Beware of hoaxes and rumours especially on social media
Fairness
Perspective: shedding lights on all the perspectives strengthens your work
Reply: giving sources a right to reply makes for better stories
Privacy: respecting privacy is safer for you and your sources
Responsible: trustworthy reporting is free from personal views and cultural attitudes
Honesty
Good practice: correcting an error openly, crediting all sources
Bad practice: fabricating information, using deceit to obtain information, altering any images
Integrity
Good practice: Protecting the identity of sources, respecting embargoes
Bad practice: paying for information, accepting a bribe
Updated: 29/4/2016
