Editorial Ethics Policy
The Palestine Telegraph Newspaper is committed to the highest standards of ethical journalism. Our mission is to provide accurate, fair, and courageous reporting on Palestine and the Middle East. We believe that public trust is our most valuable asset, and we earn that trust by adhering to the following ethical principles.
Seek Truth and Report It
The primary obligation of our editorial team is to the truth. We strive to provide a fair and comprehensive account of events and issues.
Accuracy: We verify all information before publication. We use original sources whenever possible and provide context to avoid oversimplification.
Sourcing: we clearly identify our sources. Anonymity is granted only when a source faces a real threat of physical harm or professional reprisal, and only when they provide vital, fact-based information.
Integrity of Content: We do not plagiarize. We attribute information and images to their original creators. We do not deliberately distort facts, photos, or video content.
Independence and Impartiality
The Palestine Telegraph maintains full editorial independence. Our first loyalty is to the public.
Firewall: We maintain a strict separation between our editorial decisions and any business or fundraising activities. Donors and sponsors have no influence over our news coverage.
Conflicts of Interest: Our contributors avoid associations and activities that may compromise their integrity or damage the publication's credibility. Any unavoidable conflicts of interest are disclosed to the reader.
Non-Partisanship: We are not affiliated with any political party or government. We report on all sides of a conflict with the same level of rigorous scrutiny.
Minimize Harm
We recognize that gathering and reporting news can cause harm or discomfort. We balance the public’s need for information against potential harm.
Human Dignity: We treat sources, subjects, and colleagues as human beings deserving of respect. We show special sensitivity when dealing with children, victims of violence, or inexperienced sources.
Privacy: We respect the right to privacy for private individuals. We only intrude on privacy when there is an overriding public need for the information.
Safety: In conflict zones, we prioritize the safety of our field correspondents and sources, using secure communication and blurring identities where necessary to prevent retaliation.
Accountability and Transparency
We are accountable to our readers and the communities we serve.
Corrections: We acknowledge mistakes and correct them promptly and prominently. Please refer to our [Corrections Policy] for more details.
Explanation: We aim to be transparent about our reporting process, explaining how we gathered information and why certain editorial choices were made.
Dialogue: We encourage civil dialogue and invite the public to voice grievances or ask questions about our journalistic conduct.
Distinction Between News and Opinion
To help our readers navigate complex issues, we maintain a clear distinction between factual reporting and commentary.
Labeling: All opinion pieces, editorials, and guest columns are clearly labeled as "Opinion" or "Commentary."