Policies

RE:PUBLIC is committed to independent, transparent, and ethical journalism. The following standards and practices guide our work and our relationship with you, the public.

Editorial Independence

RE:PUBLIC subscribes to standards of editorial independence adopted by the Institute for Nonprofit News (INN), our fiscal sponsor.

RE:PUBLIC retains full authority over editorial content to protect the best journalistic and business interests of our organization. We maintain a firewall between news coverage decisions and sources of all revenue. Acceptance of financial support does not constitute implied or actual endorsement of donors or their products, services, or opinions.

RE:PUBLIC accepts gifts, grants, and sponsorships from individuals and organizations for the general support of our activities, but our news judgments are made independently and not on the basis of donor support.

Our organization may consider donations to support the coverage of particular topics, but we maintain editorial control of the coverage. We will cede no right of review or influence of editorial content, nor of unauthorized distribution of editorial content.

Our organization will make public all donors who give a total of $5,000 or more per year. We will accept anonymous donations for general support only if it is clear that sufficient safeguards have been put into place so that the expenditure of that donation is made independently by our organization and in compliance with the INN’s Membership Standards.

Corrections Policy

We strive for accuracy in all of our reporting. When we make an error, we will correct it promptly and transparently.

Corrections are clearly noted on the story page with a time stamp and an explanation. If you see something that needs correcting, please let us know; you can do this by sending an email to corrections@republic.land.

Anonymous Sourcing Policy

Just as RE:PUBLIC demands transparency from the government, we are committed to maintaining transparency for our readers and the public. That means we avoid using anonymous sources except in unusual and specific circumstances, as outlined here. 

  • We may choose to give anonymity to sources who could face retaliation or otherwise be endangered by the publication of their names.
  • Reporters must make certain that an anonymous source is reliable and in a position to have direct knowledge of the information being provided. Anonymity is never granted to someone for expressing an opinion or indulging in speculation. 
  • Reporters must always get approval from their editor before granting anonymity to a source who is quoted in a story. The editor must know the identity of the source and is obligated, like the reporter, to keep the source’s identity confidential. 
  • Anyone talking to a RE:PUBLIC reporter in an official capacity (for the government or a corporation, etc.) does so on the record by default. This means that what they say will be quoted and attributed by name. Officials cannot hide behind a curtain of anonymity. 
  • If the reporter is taking notes in front of the source—or tells the source that the conversation is being recorded—it is implicit that all remarks are on the record. If reporters feel that the interviewee does not understand this protocol, it is up to that reporter to explicitly say, “I’m taking notes, I’m recording this. Please spell your name before we get going.” 
  • If the source wants to set conditions, these should be negotiated at the start of the interview. If any information is given off the record, the reporter should circle back at the end of the interview and attempt to get all or part of the information on the record. 
  • Sources sometimes ask for an interview that is “off the record” or “on background,” without truly understanding what the such terms mean. To avoid confusion, reporters are expected to establish parameters in “jargon-free plain English” at the start of the interview: Can RE:PUBLIC quote the source by name? Can we use the information if we leave out the source’s name? Can we at least describe the source’s job?

DEFINITIONS

On the record: Everything is available for publication and can be attributed to the source

Off the record: This information cannot be used, even without attribution

On background: This information can be published, but only under conditions that a reporter has negotiated beforehand with the source. Interviewing on background can help bring reporters up to speed in the early stages or when exploring a subject. For our purposes, it allows sources to feel like they can speak freely. 

Deep background: This information can be used but without attribution. The source does not want to be identified in any way, even on condition of anonymity. This is the kind of information that might be useful early during reporting, to provide understanding and context on a subject.

Journalism Code of Conduct

Members of the Society of Professional Journalists believe that public enlightenment is the forerunner of justice and the foundation of democracy. Ethical journalism strives to ensure the free exchange of information that is accurate, fair, and thorough. An ethical journalist acts with integrity.

The society declares these four principles as the foundation of ethical journalism and encourages their use in its practice by all people in all media.

Seek Truth and Report It

Ethical journalism should be accurate and fair. Journalists should be honest and courageous in gathering, reporting, and interpreting information.

Journalists should:

  • Take responsibility for the accuracy of their work. Verify information before releasing it. Use original sources whenever possible.
  • Remember that neither speed nor format excuses inaccuracy.
  • Provide context. Take special care not to misrepresent or oversimplify in promoting, previewing, or summarizing a story.
  • Gather, update, and correct information throughout the life of a news story.
  • Be cautious when making promises, but keep the promises they make.
  • Identify sources clearly. The public is entitled to as much information as possible to judge the reliability and motivations of sources.
  • Consider sources’ motives before promising anonymity. Reserve anonymity for sources who may face danger, retribution, or other harm, and have information that cannot be obtained elsewhere. Explain why anonymity was granted.
  • Diligently seek subjects of news coverage to allow them to respond to criticism or allegations of wrongdoing.
  • Avoid undercover or other surreptitious methods of gathering information unless traditional, open methods will not yield information vital to the public.
  • Be vigilant and courageous about holding those with power accountable. Give voice to the voiceless.
  • Support the open and civil exchange of views, even views they find repugnant.
  • Recognize a special obligation to serve as watchdogs over public affairs and government. Seek to ensure that the public’s business is conducted in the open, and that public records are open to all.
  • Provide access to source material when it is relevant and appropriate.
  • Boldly tell the story of the diversity and magnitude of the human experience. Seek sources whose voices we seldom hear.
  • Avoid stereotyping. Journalists should examine the ways their values and experiences may shape their reporting.
  • Label advocacy and commentary.
  • Never deliberately distort facts or context, including visual information. Clearly label illustrations and re-enactments.
  • Never plagiarize. Always attribute.

Minimize Harm

Ethical journalism treats sources, subjects, colleagues, and members of the public as human beings deserving of respect.

Journalists should:

  • Balance the public’s need for information against potential harm or discomfort. Pursuit of the news is not a license for arrogance or undue intrusiveness.
  • Show compassion for those who may be affected by news coverage. Use heightened sensitivity when dealing with juveniles, victims of sex crimes, and sources or subjects who are inexperienced or unable to give consent. Consider cultural differences in approach and treatment.
  • Recognize that legal access to information differs from an ethical justification to publish or broadcast.
  • Realize that private people have a greater right to control information about themselves than public figures and others who seek power, influence, or attention. Weigh the consequences of publishing or broadcasting personal information.
  • Avoid pandering to lurid curiosity, even if others do.
  • Balance a suspect’s right to a fair trial with the public’s right to know. Consider the implications of identifying criminal suspects before they face legal charges.
  • Consider the long-term implications of the extended reach and permanence of publication. Provide updated and more complete information as appropriate.

Act Independently

The highest and primary obligation of ethical journalism is to serve the public.

Journalists should:

  • Avoid conflicts of interest, real or perceived. Disclose unavoidable conflicts.
  • Refuse gifts, favors, fees, free travel, and special treatment, and avoid political and other outside activities that may compromise integrity or impartiality or may damage credibility.
  • Be wary of sources offering information for favors or money; do not pay for access to news. Identify content provided by outside sources, whether paid or not.
  • Deny favored treatment to advertisers, donors, or any other special interests, and resist internal and external pressure to influence coverage.
  • Distinguish news from advertising and shun hybrids that blur the lines between the two. Prominently label sponsored content.

Be Accountable and Transparent

Ethical journalism means taking responsibility for one’s work and explaining one’s decisions to the public.

Journalists should:

  • Explain ethical choices and processes to audiences. Encourage a civil dialogue with the public about journalistic practices, coverage, and news content.
  • Respond quickly to questions about accuracy, clarity, and fairness.
  • Acknowledge mistakes and correct them promptly and prominently. Explain corrections and clarifications carefully and clearly.
  • Expose unethical conduct in journalism, including within their organizations.
  • Abide by the same high standards they expect of others.

The SPJ Code of Ethics is a statement of abiding principles supported by additional explanations and position papers that address changing journalistic practices. It is not a set of rules, rather a guide that encourages all who engage in journalism to take responsibility for the information they provide, regardless of medium. The code should be read as a whole; individual principles should not be taken out of context. It is not, nor can it be under the First Amendment, legally enforceable.

Sigma Delta Chi’s first Code of Ethics was borrowed from the American Society of Newspaper Editors in 1926. In 1973, Sigma Delta Chi wrote its own code, which was revised in 1984, 1987, 1996, and 2014.

Image Use Policy

We prioritize original photography and visuals created by trusted contributors. All visual material is either commissioned, used under license, or falls under public domain or Creative Commons use, with attribution where required.

Photos on republic.land are protected by copyright and may not be reproduced without permission.

For questions about our policies or editorial standards, please contact us at editors@republic.land.