Maldives Independent
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Ethical Journalism and Editorial Conduct Policy

Effective Date: 31/1/2025
The Maldives Independent (“we,” “our,” or “us”) is committed to maintaining the highest standards of ethical journalism and editorial conduct. This policy outlines the principles and practices we adhere to in order to provide accurate, fair, and trustworthy journalism in compliance with the standards set forth by the Journalism Trust Initiative (JTI), an initiative of Reporters Sans Frontières (RSF). 
(CWA) 17493 is an international standards framework developed to promote transparency, accountability, and trustworthiness in journalism. Established by the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) in collaboration with Reporters Without Borders and 124 other stakeholders, including major international media and digital rights groups, the standard outlines best practices for media organisations to ensure the integrity and quality of their content.
This policy outlines our dedication to providing transparent, accurate, and trustworthy journalism that serves the public interest, in compliance with (CWA) 17493.
For more information on The Journalism Trust Initiative (JTI), visit: https://www.jti-app.com/footer/cwa
The full JTI standard CWA 17493:2019 is available here: https://www.cencenelec.eu/media/CEN-CENELEC/CWAs/ICT/cwa17493.pdf

1. Purpose of the Policy

This policy is designed to:

Ensure transparency, accountability, and ethical integrity in all our journalistic practices.

Align our processes and content with the CWA 17493 JTI standards.

Safeguard the public’s trust by maintaining the highest standards of professionalism in journalism.

2. Editorial Independence

Our editorial decisions are made free from undue influence to maintain journalistic independence. We:

Operate with a strict separation between editorial and commercial interests.

Clearly label advertising, sponsored content, or other commercial material to differentiate it from editorial content.

Protect our newsroom from political or external pressures that could compromise editorial autonomy.

3. Accuracy and Verification

We are committed to publishing information that is accurate, well-sourced, and verifiable. To ensure this:

All content undergoes rigorous fact-checking before publication.

Sources are verified for credibility, and preference is given to primary sources whenever possible.

Corrections are promptly made, with a clear and transparent correction notice added to the original content.

4. Fairness and Impartiality

We strive for fairness and impartiality by:

Covering all relevant viewpoints and ensuring balanced reporting.

Avoiding conflicts of interest and disclosing any unavoidable conflicts transparently.

Ensuring that our reporting is free from bias, stereotyping, and discrimination.

5. Transparency and Accountability

We prioritise transparency and are accountable to our readers by:

Publishing information about our ownership, funding sources, and organisational structure.

Providing clear processes for audience feedback and handling complaints in a timely and respectful manner.

Making our editorial standards, policies, and corrections process publicly accessible.

6. Ethical Newsgathering Practices

Our journalists adhere to ethical standards in newsgathering, including:

Respecting individuals’ privacy and avoiding unnecessary intrusion.

Ensuring informed consent when interviewing sources, particularly vulnerable individuals.

Using lawful and ethical means to obtain information and materials.

7. Inclusion and Diversity

We are committed to inclusivity in our reporting and operations by:

Amplifying diverse perspectives and voices, particularly from underrepresented communities.

Avoiding language, imagery, or practices that perpetuate stereotypes or discrimination.

Actively seeking diverse contributors and collaborators for our content.

8. Corrections and Feedback Mechanisms

We encourage our audience to report inaccuracies or provide feedback. To address this:

We maintain a visible and accessible process for submitting corrections or complaints.

Corrections are handled promptly and are clearly marked on the affected content.

Feedback is reviewed regularly to improve our practices and maintain accountability.

9. Compliance with JTI Standards

As a JTI-compliant organisation, we:

Conduct regular self-assessments and third-party audits to ensure alignment with CWA 17493 standards.

Publish transparency reports annually to document our compliance and improvements.

Continuously refine our policies and practices based on evolving standards and public feedback.

10. Training and Capacity Building

We invest in the professional development of our staff by:

Offering regular training on ethical journalism, bias awareness, and the principles of trustworthy reporting.

Providing resources and guidance to help staff understand and comply with this policy.

11. Updates to This Policy

This policy will be reviewed and updated as needed to reflect changes in industry standards, regulations, or organisational practices. Updates will be published with a revised “Effective Date,” and continued use of our content or services signifies acceptance of the updated policy.

12. Contact Us

If you have questions about our Ethical Journalism and Editorial Conduct Policy or wish to report a concern, please contact us:
Email: editorial@maldivesindependent.com
Thank you for trusting The Maldives Independent as your source for reliable journalism.