The Digital News Publishers Association has voluntarily drawn up a Code of Ethics for its members, which demonstrates their commitment to responsible digital publishing. This code enables the maintenance of high standards, ethics, and practices in digital news publishing, while also protecting and maintaining the independence of journalists, content entities, and publishers.
Code of Ethics
The basic precepts of the Code of Ethics are to maintain the standards of digital publishing as well as protect and maintain the independence of journalists, content entities, and publishers. Digital news websites follow the laws of the land, including the Constitution of India and over 30 laws relating to the media.
These laws include relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code, CrPC, and the Information Technology Act, 2000. Digital news websites also diligently adhere to accepted norms of journalistic ethics and practices, maintaining the highest standards of professional conduct.
Accuracy, Transparency, and Fairness
Members should avoid publication of inaccurate, baseless, or distorted material. Pre-publication verification is mandatory, and defamation should be avoided. Adherence to applicable laws and rules is necessary.
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News reports and articles should incorporate comments or versions of persons or parties in respect of whom allegations are carried. If not carried, the person or party’s response, if received later, should be incorporated.
If there are developments in the news, and the concerned person or party requests an update, the same must be carried appropriately, with the date of update appearing in the news item published.
Respect for Intellectual Property Rights
Copyright in text, photographs, plans, diagrams, cartoons, etc. must be respected. If copyrighted material is used, prior permission should be taken, and publication must acknowledge moral and ownership rights.
If permission requires payment of a fee or royalty, the same must be paid. Trade Marks and Service Marks of third parties should not be used except with prior permission or if such use is otherwise lawful.
In case of infringement of intellectual property, upon receiving any request and after getting the necessary documents, the concerned content should be edited, deleted, or taken down if necessary.
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Special care should be taken while reporting on sensitive matters, such as sexual harassment in the workplace, child abuse, rape, and matrimonial disputes, to avoid causing harm to the victims or accused.
Reporting on Sensitive Matters
Names of victims and details leading to identification of victims or perpetrators, if juvenile or in the workplace, should be strictly avoided, as should photographs of victims, their residence, workplace, etc.
Digital news websites follow the laws of the land, including the Constitution of India and over 30 laws relating to the media.
The Digital News Publishers Association’s Code of Ethics is a significant step towards responsible digital publishing.
