Ethical standards
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Ethical standards

TravelNewsGroup is committed to the highest ethical standards.

Fairness and accuracy, integrity are among our core values.

All eTN writers / editors are all collectively responsible for ethical standards. Any employee who is aware that a fellow staff member has committed ethical violations should immediately bring the matter to the attention of a ranking editor.

Fairness, Accuracy and Corrections

The TravelNewsGroup strives to operate with fairness, accuracy, and independence.

Whenever possible, we seek opposing views and solicits responses from those whose conduct is questioned in news stories.

While it is our responsibility to accurately report the news we know, and as soon as possible after breaking the news, we should update what we can from an opposing side or more background. If the opposing side can’t be reached, we should say that. We should also foster a spirit of fairness in the tone of our coverage. An opposing side shouldn’t necessarily be expected to provide cogent and thoughtful responses to complex issues instantaneously. Developing stories must indicate they will continue to be updated with “More to come” or similar phrasing.

We must strive to create balance in all of our coverage with a sense of immediacy.

All errors shall be acknowledged promptly in a straightforward manner, never disguised or glossed over in a follow-up story. Only in rare circumstances, with approval from the Executive Editor, should an attempt be made to remove erroneous content (or content published inadvertently) from the web. When errors are made online, we should correct the errors and indicate that the story has been updated to correct an error or clarify what it says. We always acknowledge our mistakes and set the record straight in a transparent manner.

In considering requests to remove accurate information from our public archives, we should consider not only the person’s interest in suppressing the content but also the public’s interest in knowing the information. Circumstances will guide the decision and must be approved by the Executive Editor. Our policy is not to remove published content from our archives, but we want archives to be accurate, complete and up-to-date, so we will update and correct archived content as needed, including headlines.

Clarifications should be made when a story, photograph, video, caption, editorial, etc. creates a false impression of fact.

When there is a question over whether a correction, clarification or removal of story or photo is necessary, bring the matter to an editor.

Reporters or photographers ought to identify themselves to news sources. In the rare instance when circumstances suggest not identifying ourselves, the Executive Editor or appropriate senior editor must be consulted for approval.

Journalists must not plagiarize, whether it is the wholesale lifting of someone else’s writing, or the publication of a press release as news without attribution. SCNG journalists are responsible for their research, just as they are for their reporting. The inadvertent publication of another’s work does not excuse the plagiarism. Plagiarism will result in serious disciplinary action, and may include termination.

While journalists are expected to cover breaking news aggressively, they must not interfere with civil authorities while on assignment. In no circumstance should a journalist break the law. Journalists who feel they have been unlawfully restricted from doing their job are expected to remain calm and professional and report the situation to a ranking editor immediately.

In general, we should avoid the use of unnamed sources in stories. We will attribute information to unnamed sources only when news value warrants and it cannot be obtained any other way.

When we choose to rely on unnamed sources, we will avoid letting them be the sole basis for any story. We will not allow unnamed sources to make personal attacks. We should describe the unnamed source in as much detail as possible to indicate the source’s credibility. And we should tell readers the reason the source requested or was given anonymity.

Social media accounts should be clearly branded with the name of the news organization, either at the local level or with Southern California News Group.

When breaking news via social media, the initial post must be sourced, and the journalist must make it clear whether they are at the scene or not. If they are not at the scene, they must clearly — and repeatedly — source the information they are getting about the event.

Quotations should always be the exact words that someone spoke, with the exception of minor corrections in grammar and syntax. Parentheses within quotations are almost never appropriate and can almost always be avoided. Ellipses should also be avoided.

Bylines, datelines and credit lines should accurately convey to readers the source of reporting. All stories, including briefs, should have a byline and contact information for the writer so readers know who to contact if there is an error or issue.

Visual journalists and those who manage visual news productions are accountable for upholding the following standards in their daily work:

Strive to make images that report truthfully, honestly, and objectively. Resist being manipulated by staged photo opportunities.

Reproducing images from print and online publications is sometimes acceptable if the context of the printed page or screen grab is included and the story is about the image and its use in said publication. Editor discussion and approval are required.

Every effort will be made to know and adhere to the video policy of the venue we are covering ahead of live coverage. If the video policies are prohibitive, there should be a discussion on how to proceed with coverage.

Questions? Please contact our CEO-publisher / click here