Ethics Policy – Augusta Today
Report with honesty and fairness Minimize harm
Report with honesty and fairness
- Strive for accuracy, always correcting errors and pointing out significant corrections.
- Present verified information, not rumors, and use original sources wherever possible.
- Identify sources.
- Use anonymous sources only as a last resort. While news tips are often anonymous, we won’t rely on anonymous sources for reporting or quotes unless unavoidable. Use of anonymous sources will be clearly cited.
- News coverage should strive to get both sides of the story, regardless of personal opinions.
- Use ethical, transparent reporting methods. Writers will identify themselves, the outlet, and ensure sources understand when they are on the record.
- Label opinion or commentary so readers clearly understand when a piece is intended as the opinion of the author.
- No Augusta Today editor, reporter or other contributor may accept gifts or other gratuities in exchange for coverage.
Minimize harm
- Balance the legal access to information with justification to publish. Avoid “lurid curiosity.”
- Exercise sensitivity when dealing with victims, juveniles, and survivors.
Steven UhlesWriter
