Identity Newsroom Limited
Editorial Values
The overarching mission of Identity Newsroom is to empower world of information, inspire the Diaspora and inform the world through sound, credible and fact-based reporting and commentary. Our goal is to increase public trust in the media.
In this regard, our core principles include accuracy, fairness, transparency, impartiality, humanity and privacy. We publish factual, fair and honest journalism; we separate opinion from reporting; we openly acknowledge mistakes and shortcomings and ensure that we do no harm.
Editorial Code of Ethics
Accuracy
Identity Newsroom does not publish inaccurate, misleading or distorted information or images, including headlines that are not supported by the text. Accuracy for us is not simply about getting the facts right. It is equally important to consider all relevant facts and information to get to the truth. Our articles are well-sourced, supported by evidence, fact-checked, clear and unambiguous.
Fairness
Fair reporting provides relevant background and context, does not omit relevant facts and strives to be honest with readers, especially about what we know and what we do not know. We aim to present all relevant sides in the stories we publish, ensuring that they are balanced and add context.
Transparency
We are transparent about the provenance of the content we publish. We always hyperlink to original sources; we strive to ensure information is released in a timely manner, that the information is correct and understandable in context. We always identify our authors unless there are security issues.
Impartiality
Due impartiality will be applied to all subject matter. We aim to present diversity of opinion: being impartial doesn’t mean to be unquestioning or to refrain from editorial expression. We clearly distinguish news from opinion. All content that is opinion, will be clearly identified as opinion or analysis.
Accountability
The cornerstone of responsible journalism is the ability to hold ourselves accountable. We will acknowledge when we commit errors and correct them. We will listen to the concerns of our audience.
Humanity
Journalists should do no harm, thereby we are cognizant of the impact our words, stories and images have on the lives of others.
Editorial Integrity and Independence
Identity Newsroom is not constricted, bound or beholden to outside interests and arrangements that could undermine our editorial integrity. Our editorial decisions are not influenced by outside interests, political or commercial pressures, or personal interests.
Protecting Children
Will always seek to protect and safeguard the welfare of children when they are part of the stories we publish. Their names, photos or any other identifiable element will not be included unless permission is expressly granted by a parent/guardian and even then, the editorial team may decide to refrain from their use.
Policies That Guide our Journalism Standards
Accuracy and Corrections
As “broadcasters” of information, we are accountable to our readers for the accuracy of the information we publish (on our website including graphics, visuals, headlines and social media platforms). All of our content must be accurate and accuracy is grounded in verification. We check and double-check all the information we publish. As editors and journalists we are not infallible. Therefore, we acknowledge that mistakes can happen and when they do, we correct them and inform our readers when we do. Corrections serve the reader and the public record. We believe that being honest when we err is necessary to build trust with our readers.
Attribution and Plagiarism
We publish only original content. We do not present other media’s reporting as our own. When we reference news from other media, we clearly attribute them through hyperlinks on our platform. During our editorial process of proofreading and copy editing, our editorial team verifies that any information used from other sources is clearly attributed by the journalist, writer or expert who contributes to the content on our website.
Quotations
When direct quotes are used in our content, they must be an accurate representation of what was written or said. We often “clean up” quotes to remove grammatical errors and some idiosyncratic expressions of speech. Since most of our content is translated, or when sources are not native English speakers, we aim to ensure that they don’t sound incoherent. To ensure proper context of the quotations, we will be clear to include whether the comment was in response to a question and whether it came from email or social media.
Anonymity and Protection of Sources
For purposes of protection, we will in rare circumstances, hide/change the name of the source. Journalism, especially responsible journalism, often depends on confidential sources who provide information that those in the halls of power will seek to keep secret. If such cases arise, the editorial team of Identity Newsroom will take the decision to publish information from confidential sources if it is in the public interest.
Removal Requests
We do not remove content from our website unless in rare circumstances when there is reason for potential harm to those involved in the story.
Opportunity to reply
A fair opportunity to reply to inaccuracies should be given to individuals or organizations when reasonably called for. If the request to correct inaccuracies in a story is in the form of a letter, the editor has the discretion to publish it in full or its abridged and edited version, particularly when it is too long. However, the editor should not omit or refuse to publish important portions of the reply/rejoinder, which effectively deal with the accuracy of the offending story. If the editor doubts the truth or factual accuracy of the reply/ rejoinder, even then, it is his/her duty to publish it with liberty to append an editorial comment doubting its veracity. Note that this should be done only when this doubt is reasonably founded on impeccable evidence in the editor’s possession. The editor should not, in a cavalier fashion, without due application of mind, append such a note as: “We stand by our story.”
Obscenity, taste and tone in reporting
The media should not publish anything that is obscene, vulgar or offensive to public good taste. A story, photograph or drawing/cartoon of questionable taste should have significant news value to justify its usage. Generally, what is in good taste is to be determined by the prevailing social norms.
But the following basic tests should be applied.
1. Is the depiction of a particular scene and the language used likely to be regarded as filthy, revolting, repugnant, dirty or lewd?
2. With regards to pictures, the following should offer guidelines:
(a) Is it vulgar and indecent?
(b) Is it mere pornography’?
(c) Is its publication meant merely to make money by titillating the sexual feelings of adolescents and adults among whom it is intended to circulate?
In other words, does it constitute an “unwholesome exploitation” of sex for the sake of money?
(d) Is it invasive of anyone’s privacy?
If this is the case, a further question should then be asked as to whether the use of any such photo is nonetheless justified by a clear and indisputable public interest in doing so.
3. In the same vein, publication of photographs showing dead or mutilated bodies, bloody incidents and abhorrent scenes should be avoided unless the publication of such photographs will serve the larger public interest.
4. Television stations especially must exercise great care and responsibility when presenting programmes when a large number of children are likely to be part of the audience.
Paying for news and articles
When money is paid for information, serious questions can be raised about the credibility of that information and the motives of the buyer and seller. Therefore, in principle, journalists should avoid paying for information.
Discrimination
In general, the media should avoid prejudicial or pejorative references to a person’s race, tribe, clan, religion, sex or sexual orientation or to any physical or mental illness, handicap or political orientation. These details should be eschewed unless they are germane to the story. Everyone should be accorded equal treatment as news subjects or sources and journalists should not deliberately deny the right of any group to exposure in the media. Generally, a reference to one’s nationality (e.g. Ugandan, Kenyan, or Tanzanian) is less contentious than a reference to race (e.g. white/black)]
Recording interviews and telephone conversations
Except in rare and justifiable cases, journalists should not tape anyone in the course of an interview without that person’s knowledge and agreement. An exception may be made only if the recording is necessary to protect the journalist in a legal action or for some other compelling reason such as coverage of public meetings and if other approaches don’t work.
On the other hand, the use of recorders for interviews, speeches or at press conferences with the knowledge of the subject is encouraged to protect against error and to protect against possible charges of misquotation.
Privacy
The public’s right to know often needs to be weighed vis-à-vis the privacy rights of people in the news. Intrusion and inquiries into an individual’s private life without the person’s consent are not generally acceptable unless public interest is indisputably involved. Public interest must itself be legitimate and not merely based upon prurient or morbid curiosity. Things concerning a person’s home, family, religion, tribe, health, sexuality or sexual orientation, personal life and private affairs are covered by the concept of privacy excepting where these impinge or can reasonably be presumed to impinge upon the public well being.
Intrusion into grief or shock
In cases involving personal grief or shock, enquiries should be carried out and approaches made with sympathy, empathy and discretion.
Contributors
Contributors to Identity News are ultimately responsible for the accuracy of the information they provide. Contributors are responsible for meeting deadlines and confirming the timely receipt of their submissions by the Identity Newsroom. Contributors must acknowledge that the editor and executive director have the final word on content and tone.
PROCEDURE
Submissions
Submissions must be received by the Identity Newsroom on or before the deadlines specified.
Copy for all articles must be supplied electronically via e-mail as attached documents. Photographs will be considered, with the minimum size as noted in the Photograph section. As a general rule, we will not publish logos or other promotional images. For tables, please contact the Production Editor for appropriate formatting instructions.
Style
All submissions are edited for style and consistency. The Production Editor does initial copyediting during the compilation stage. The Chicago Manual of Style is the house style. However, the use of endnotes and references is not encouraged in the newsletter. The editors prefer the use of reading lists instead.
Compilation
The production editor and editor compile the submissions, prepare the draft manuscripts of IDENTITY News, and provide copies to executive director/managing editor and staff for review. Original documents are sent to the editor upon request.
The editor and executive director/managing editor return the compiled draft to the production editor within one week of receipt. The production editor makes their changes and additions, as necessary, and puts the manuscripts into page proof format. The editor, executive director/managing editor, and select staff members review the final layout in PDF format.
The editor is consulted during the production process whenever questions related to content arise.
Photographs and Illustrations
Photographs are accepted. Digital photographs must be 200 dpi or higher to be appropriate. Digital line art should be submitted at 800 dpi. Contributors must contact the production editor about specific requirements for photographic submissions.
Proofreading
The editor, managing editor, and production editor proofread the entire issue of Identity News. The production editor and production assistant copyedit the documents in-house.
Newsletter Deadlines
Editorial Deadlines
The deadlines for short articles and Specialty Group columns are:
- February 1 for the March issue
- April 1 for the May issue
- June 1 for the July issue
- August 1 for the September issue
- October 1 for the November issue
- December 1 for the January issue
Deadlines for longer columns (including the Lead Article, New Materials and Research, lengthy reports from committees and task forces, letters to the editor, Conference Reports, and In Memoriam) are two weeks earlier.
The deadlines for these column submissions are:
- January 15 for the March issue
- March 15 for the May issue
- May 15 for the July issue
- July 15 for the September issue
- September 15 for the November issue
- November 15 for the January issue
Note: Unless otherwise specified, submissions should be sent electronically to the Production Assistant at the Identity Newsroom.
Advertising Deadlines
See the Advertising section at the end of this document.
Reminders
The production assistant sends reminders to all specialty group chairs two weeks prior to the deadline.
Late Submissions
Because of the extremely tight production schedule, late items will not be published until the next issue.
Advertisement
- All advertisements are subject to the approval of the publisher of Identity Newsroom Limited (Identity news),Identity Radio and Identity Television which reserves the right to reject or cancel any ad at any time.
- All advertisements are accepted and published by Publisher on the warranty of the agency and advertiser that both are authorized to publish the entire contents and subject matter of the advertisement.
- In consideration of publication of an advertisement, the advertiser and the agency, jointly and severally, agree to indemnify and hold harmless Publisher, its officers, agents and employees against expenses (including legal fees) and losses resulting from the publication of the contents of the advertisement, including, without limitation, claims or suits for libel, violation of privacy, copyright infringement, or plagiarism.
- Publisher will not be liable for any failure to publish any advertisement accepted by Publisher; however, Publisher shall use its reasonable efforts to place such advertisement in subsequent available space.
- All advertisements must clearly and prominently identify the advertiser by trademark or signature.
For advertorial guidelines contact your IDENTITY sales director or mail advert@identitynewsroom.com
Any references to Publisher or its products or services in advertisements, promotional material, or merchandising by the advertiser or agency is subject to Publisher’s written approval for such use.
- All advertising contract position clauses are treated as requests. Publisher cannot guarantee fixed positioning.
- Publisher is not responsible for incidental or consequential damage for errors in displaying or printing an ad.
- Publisher may change the terms set forth herein at any time, provided that no such change applies to ads whose closing date precedes the announcement of the change.
- Publisher will not be bound by any condition, printed or otherwise, appearing on any insertion order or copy instructions when such conditions conflict with the conditions set forth in the 2022 Identity Newsroom Media Kit
In the event of nonpayment, Publisher reserves the right to hold advertiser and/or its advertising agency jointly and severally liable for such monies as are past due and payable to Publisher.
- Proprietary names of pharmaceutical products must be accompanied by the chemical, generic, or official name; the quantity of all active substances must be stated along with the recommended dosage. New ad copy and creative for pharmaceutical products should be sent to the advertising department. Please allow two weeks for clearance.
- Advertiser represents and warrants that all advertisements and pharmaceutical products they advertise are compliant with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations in the country where the advertisement will be seen. Advertisements for pharmaceutical products (including NDA products) that are subject to U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) oversight must comply with FDA regulations regarding advertising and promotion.
1. RECRUITMENT ADS:
All advertisements for employment must be nondiscriminatory and comply with all applicable laws and regulations. Ads that discriminate against applicants based on sex, age, race, religion, marital status or physical handicap will not be accepted. Non-U.S. recruitment advertisers are required to confirm in writing that they are equal opportunity employers.
2. DIGITAL ADS:
Any use of IDENTITY trademarks or copyrighted material for links to and from Publisher’s website must be approved in advance by Publisher. Any unauthorized linking is prohibited. Publisher does not endorse or support any product or organization linked to its website, nor is Publisher responsible for the content of any website promoted in an ad. The use by advertiser or its agency of pixels, beacons, cookies, tracking tags, or similar technology in advertising creative for the purpose of collecting personally identifiable information is prohibited.
Digital Cancellation Policies
Advertiser may cancel the entire insertion Order, or any portion thereof, as follows:
RUN-OF-SITE BANNER PROGRAMS
On written notice to the Publisher, advertiser may cancel all, or a portion of the campaign, without penalty 21 days or more before the campaign start date. For cancellations made within 21 days of the start date, the advertiser will be responsible for 50% of the campaign amount that was reserved for delivery.
Version: 08-2022