The goal of Fronterizo News is to deliver timely and accurate news to our readers. This standards document lays out how Fronterizo News staff should conduct themselves when doing their work.
Understanding and abiding by an ethical guide such as this is an essential piece of being an effective journalist. Journalists without the trust of their readers are ineffective, and a lack of trust in an outlet can and does spread to impact the entire profession. While these standards are an important codification of how our journalists should conduct themselves, they are only effective if they are followed to the spirit of building trust in our readership.
Fronterizo News journalists understand the solemn responsibility they have as members of the media under the First Amendment. We must adhere to professional standards so as not to lose a reader’s trust.
Any and all questions, concerns or comments about this code should be addressed to Fronterizo News editor Aldo Mena.
Scope of the Guidelines
These guidelines apply to any staff member that engages in reader-facing work. In other words, if you take pictures, make videos or podcasts, write copy, or produce any work that a reader may reasonably perceive to be a journalistic work, these standards apply.
All staff are expected to read and understand these guidelines. Often, the ethical course of action is clear through asking if the action will damage the reputation of Fronterizo News or damage the trust of a reader.
Ignorance of these guidelines is not an excuse for violating them. Any doubts or questions about the proper course of action should be addressed with an editor.
Pursuing News
All Fronterizo News staff should treat sources fairly and openly, and all reporting should be done with honesty and integrity. Act as if all of your communications and actions may be published in a newspaper or read in a deposition.
Coverage may not be paid for, and Fronterizo News staff should not accept gifts.
Fronterizo News staff should always make their identity known and be clear about where their work may appear. “Hi, I’m an Fronterizo News reporter writing an article for the Fronterizo News.”
Staff should always ask to record a conversation with a source. Surreptitious recording is a severe breach of trust between a source and a reporter, and is illegal in some states.
Editorial work may not be shared outside of our organization prior to publication. If a source asks to see a story prior to publication, politely decline, cite this policy, and refer the source to your editor for any follow-up discussion.
On the Record / Off the Record
Being on or off the record is an agreement between a reporter and a source.
Generally speaking, if a reporter identifies themselves as such and conveys that they are writing a news story, that conversation should be considered on the record. Most people will understand that anything they say in the course of the conversation can be used in our publication.
Some sources may ask to go off the record, meaning the material said thereafter should not be used for publication. The reporter has to agree to go off the record. Sources may not retroactively ask for material that was previously on the record, to be off the record.
Fronterizo News reporters should always strive to keep conversations on the record. If a source is asking to go off the record, ask for the reasoning why. In some cases, it may make sense to go off the record. For instance, a common reason is a source wants to share information they heard secondhand, and wants to encourage a reporter to verify it.
Accuracy and Corrections
Fronterizo News staff should always strive to create an accurate news report and should develop systems and checklists to ensure accuracy. Fronterizo News journalists who collect and write the information we publish will double-check:
- SUPERLATIVES. If something is said to be the “first,” “last,” “best,” “worst,” “only,” “oldest,” “youngest” etc., that claim must be verified. If it can’t be, the claim should be deleted or qualified – and clearly attributed.
- PERSONAL NAMES. Verify them, spell them correctly and confirm pronunciations.
- AGES. Get a person’s date of birth and do the math.
- TITLES. President, CEO, professor, etc. They must be accurate.
- NAMES of BUSINESSES, SCHOOLS and INSTITUTIONS.
- DAYS and DATES. Are you sure this happened then?
- HISTORICAL “FACTS.” Are you sure it happened that way?
- LOCATIONS. Is that where this happened? Is that where this person is from? Is that really the capital?
- NUMBERS and CALCULATIONS. Do the math yourself. Should it be millions, billions or trillions? Is the decimal in the correct place? Is it percent or percentage point?
- QUOTES. They must be attributed to the correct person.
- WEB ADDRESSES and PHONE NUMBERS. They have to be tested.
- MEXICO. It is México, not Mexico outside of a direct quote. Our target audience is bilingual and the correct spelling is México.
- SPANISH SURNAMES. Where appropriate use accents and use the full name using the Mexican standard usage of Name, Middle Name, Last Name (Paterno) and Second Last Name (Materno, usually the last name of the mother).
Mistakes happen and corrections will have to be made. Most corrections can be avoided through simple follow-up fact-checking calls to sources to check what the reporter would like to publish.
Fronterizo News only makes corrections for factual errors; an issue with the tone or structure of an article is not grounds for a correction. When any Fronterizo News staff learns of a factual error, all communication about the possible correction should be forwarded to the editor. Not acting to correct a possible published error is a serious violation of this code and may result in removal.
Plagiarism of any kind is not tolerated, and is a career-ending mistake in journalism. Don’t do it. Attribute and cite properly.
Prior Review of Articles
No stories or any editorial content may be made available outside of Fronterizo News prior to publication. That means that if a source asks a reporter to review an article they are writing, the answer is always no. Providing a story outside of the editorial chain is fraught with potential dangers – it may give the impression that the reporter doesn’t feel confident enough with their story, or it may improperly imply that the source has veto power over what we publish.
Reporters may check facts with their sources, commonly via an email with a list of facts provided by the source to be sure they are accurate, but never the full story. This is one area where recorded conversations and plenty of sources become extremely important. Bottom line: reporters and all Fronterizo News reporters should politely but strongly protect their editorial independence at all times.
Conflicts and Outside Activity
Any conflict of interest that arises – real or perceived – should be disclosed to the editor prior to starting any work on any assignment. A conflict may exist when personal interests may compromise, or appear to compromise professional interests. For example:
- A reporter’s parent/spouse sits on the governing board that the story is reporting,
- A reporter previously worked for a political candidate whom they are interviewing,
- A reporter’s significant other has a relationship with the subject of the reporter’s coverage,
- Reporters should avoid stereotyping. Journalists should examine the ways their values and experiences may shape their reporting,
- We will always label advocacy and commentary in our news reports.
Fronterizo News staff are expected to refrain from expressing personal opinions about issues they report on in public conversation, including on social media.
Fronterizo News avoids undercover or other surreptitious methods of gathering information unless traditional, open methods will not yield information vital to the public.
Fronterizo News will be vigilant and courageous about holding those with power accountable.
Fronterizo News will give voice to the voiceless.
Fronterizo News supports the open and civil exchange of views, even views they find repugnant.
Fronterizo News recognizes a special obligation to serve as watchdogs over public affairs and government. We seek to ensure that the public’s business is conducted in the open, and that public records are open to all.
Minimize Harm
Ethical journalism treats sources, subjects, colleagues and members of the public as human beings deserving of respect. Journalists should:
- Balance the public’s need for information against potential harm or discomfort. Pursuit of the news is not a license for arrogance or undue intrusiveness,
- Show compassion for those who may be affected by news coverage. Use heightened sensitivity when dealing with juveniles, victims of sex crimes, and sources or subjects who are inexperienced or unable to give consent,
- Consider cultural differences in approach and treatment,
- Recognize that legal access to information differs from an ethical justification to publish or broadcast,
- Realize that private people have a greater right to control information about themselves than public figures and others who seek power, influence or attention. Weigh the consequences of publishing or broadcasting personal information,
- Avoid pandering to lurid curiosity, even if others do,
- Balance a suspect’s right to a fair trial with the public’s right to know. Consider the implications of identifying criminal suspects before they face legal charges, and
- Consider the long-term implications of the extended reach and permanence of publication. Provide updated and more complete information as appropriate.
Be Accountable And Transparent
Ethical journalism means taking responsibility for our work and explaining our decisions to the public.
