Ethics & Editorial Standards
Journoist is committed to rigorous, evidence-based journalism conducted in the public interest. Our work is guided by clear ethical principles designed to ensure accuracy, accountability, and independence.
1. Verification and Evidence
2. Accuracy and Corrections
All factual claims published by Journoist must be supported by verifiable evidence. We rely on primary sources wherever possible, including official documents, direct statements, authenticated records, and on-the-ground reporting. Secondary sources are used cautiously and clearly attributed.
Claims that cannot be independently verified are either excluded or explicitly identified as unconfirmed.
Accuracy is non-negotiable. When errors occur, they are corrected promptly and transparently. Corrections are noted clearly within the article or appended where appropriate, with an explanation of what was corrected.
Journoist does not silently alter published work to obscure mistakes.
3. Separation of Reporting and Opinion
Journoist clearly distinguishes between:
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Investigative and reported journalism, and
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Opinion or editorial analysis
Opinion content is labeled as such. Reporting is not shaped to fit opinions, and opinions do not override documented facts.
4. Independence and Conflicts of Interest
Journoist maintains editorial independence from political parties, governments, corporations, advocacy groups, and donors.
Contributors are required to disclose any potential conflicts of interest. Individuals with direct financial, political, or personal stakes in a subject may not report on that subject.
5. Declared Ethics, Not False Neutrality
Journoist does not claim value-neutrality. Editorial decisions inevitably reflect ethical judgments about relevance, harm, and public interest.
However, ethical positioning does not excuse factual distortion. Verification standards apply equally to stories that align with or challenge our assumptions.
6. Sources and Attribution
Sources are identified wherever possible. Anonymous sources are used only when necessary to protect individuals from credible harm and when the information provided is essential and independently corroborated.
Journoist does not grant anonymity for convenience, opinion, or propaganda.
7. Harm, Sensitivity, and Responsibility
Journoist avoids unnecessary harm. We consider the potential consequences of publication, particularly in matters involving violence, religion, vulnerable populations, or national security.
This does not mean withholding information of public interest, but it does require careful framing, context, and restraint.
8. No Sensationalism
Journoist does not publish content designed primarily to provoke outrage, drive traffic, or exploit tragedy. Headlines, images, and language are chosen to inform, not inflame.
9. Accountability and Transparency
Journoist explains its methods when necessary. We aim to make clear not only what we report, but how and why we report it.
Questions, challenges, or corrections from readers are taken seriously and reviewed editorially.
10. Ongoing Review
These standards are living principles. They are reviewed periodically as the newsroom grows and as new ethical challenges emerge..