EDITORIAL GUIDELINES
RenewEconomy and its sister publications One Step off the Grid and The Driven take the responsibility of providing accurate information to our readers very seriously and abide by the Journalist’s Code of Ethics as determined by the Media Entertainment and Actors Alliance (the MEAA).
Respect for truth and the public’s right to information are fundamental principles of our journalism. We search, disclose, record, question, entertain, comment and remember. We inform citizens and animate democracy. We scrutinise power, but also exercise it, and are responsible and accountable.
We are committed to:
- Honesty
- Fairness
- Independence
- Respect for the rights of others
We educate ourselves about ethics and apply the following standards:
1. We report and interpret honestly, striving for accuracy, fairness and disclosure of all essential facts. We do not suppress relevant available facts, or give distorting emphasis. We do our utmost to give a fair opportunity for reply.
2. We do not place unnecessary emphasis on personal characteristics, including race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, age, sexual orientation, family relationships, religious belief, or physical or intellectual disability.
3. We aim to attribute information to its source. Where a source seeks anonymity, we do not agree without first considering the source’s motives and any alternative attributable source. Where confidences are accepted, we respect them in all circumstances.
4. We do not allow personal interest, or any belief, commitment, payment, gift or benefit, to undermine our accuracy, fairness or independence.
5. We disclose conflicts of interest that affect, or could be seen to affect, the accuracy, fairness or independence of our journalism. We do not improperly use a journalistic position for personal gain.
6. We do not allow advertising or other commercial considerations to undermine accuracy, fairness or independence.
7. We do our utmost to ensure disclosure of any direct or indirect payment made for interviews, pictures, information or stories.
8. We use fair, responsible and honest means to obtain material. We identify ourselves and our employer before obtaining any interview for publication or broadcast. We never exploit a person’s vulnerability or ignorance of media practice.
9. We present pictures and sound which are true and accurate. Any manipulation likely to mislead will be disclosed.
10. We do not plagiarise.
11. We respect private grief and personal privacy. We have the right to resist compulsion to intrude.
12. We do our utmost to achieve fair correction of errors.
