1. Mission & Purpose
Diplomat News Network publishes this Editorial Code of Ethics to publicly affirm its commitment to the highest standards of journalistic integrity, independence, and accountability. This code serves as the binding framework for all editorial staff, contributors, and published content, ensuring consistency, transparency, and trust with our audience.
2. Core Principles
2.1 Accuracy & Factual Rigor
Verification Protocol: No assertion of fact is published without verification from multiple, independent, and reliable sources. Primary sources, including official documents and direct witness accounts, are prioritized.
Clarity in Sourcing: The provenance of information is made clear to the reader. Distinctions are maintained between confirmed fact, attributable statement, and journalistic analysis.
Corrections Policy: Errors of fact, once identified, are corrected promptly, transparently, and with prominence. A clear correction notice will be appended to the digital article, stating what was amended and when. Significant errors will be acknowledged on relevant social media channels.
2.2 Independence & Impartiality
Freedom from Influence: Editorial judgments are made solely in the interest of public enlightenment, free from undue influence by advertisers, political interests, commercial partners, or personal relationships of staff.
Separation of Functions: A strict and visible firewall exists between the newsroom and the publication's business, advertising, and fundraising operations.
Gifts & Favors: Staff and contributors may not accept gifts, favors, or preferential treatment that could compromise, or appear to compromise, professional judgment.
2.3 Fairness, Accountability, & Respect
Right of Reply: Individuals or organizations that are the subject of significant criticism or allegation in our reporting are given a timely and fair opportunity to respond prior to publication. Their responses are included with due prominence.
Dignity & Safety: Reporting on victims of crime, conflict, or tragedy is conducted with particular care for their dignity, privacy, and safety. Sensationalism is avoided.
Inclusive Language: Language must be precise and fair, avoiding stereotypes based on race, religion, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or social class.
2.4 Transparency & Conflicts of Interest
Disclosure: All contributors must disclose to editorial leadership any potential conflicts of interest—financial, personal, political, or professional—that could be perceived as influencing their work.
Attribution & Labeling: All content is clearly attributed and labeled. Readers can easily distinguish between straight news reporting, analysis based on reporting, opinion commentary, and sponsored or paid content.
Anonymous Sourcing: The use of anonymous sources is a last resort, reserved for situations where information is vital to the public interest and cannot be obtained on the record. The reason for anonymity is explained, and sources are vetted by senior editors.
2.5 Originality & Integrity
Plagiarism Prohibition: Plagiarism, in any form, is strictly prohibited. All third-party material, including text, imagery, and data, must be properly attributed.
Manipulation Prohibition: The manipulation of images, audio, or video in a way that misleads the audience is forbidden. Any editorial alteration of photographic content (beyond basic color correction or cropping) must be clearly disclosed.
3. Implementation & Accountability
This code applies to all individuals creating editorial content for Diplomat News Network, including staff, contractors, and contributors.
The Editor-in-Chief holds ultimate responsibility for upholding these standards.
Suspected breaches of this code can be reported to editorial leadership at diplomatso@diplomat.so or diplomatsonews@gmail.com. All serious complaints will be reviewed and addressed.