SMF News Code of Ethics
- Preamble
The guidelines outlined here are applicable to all members of SMF News, ensuring their influence on the publication’s content adheres to ethical standards. The code of ethics serves as a compass, setting a standard of behaviour within SMF, emphasising impartiality and neutrality crucial for credibility and serving the community of Stellenbosch.
In the South African context, the media’s role in democracy is paramount, as enshrined in the Bill of Rights. At SMF News, we embrace this constitutional right, upholding freedom of expression while respecting its limitations. We also subscribe to the South African Press Council’s Press Code.
Our journalistic principles are rooted in integrity, fairness, and transparency, aiming to deliver accurate news. Committed to public interest, we strive to reflect diverse voices, minimise harm, engage openly with our audiences and ensure ethical reporting practices.
- Gathering of information and reporting news
At SMF News we are committed to reporting news that is fair and accurate. SMF journalists will:
2.1 Verify and check credibility of information obtained from sources and online.
2.2 Contact all involved parties when reporting a story, offering them the chance to respond even if they decline to comment.
2.3 Use fair and honest data collection methods, identifying as journalists and minimising hidden recordings, unless public interest requires otherwise.
2.4 Provide concise information on social media to ensure validity, avoiding rushing for the sake of breaking news.
2.5 Use AI only when beneficial for audiences, ensuring unbiased information.
2.6 Be transparent about the use of AI.
2.7 Have a zero tolerance policy for plagiarism, written or visual.
2.8 Give appropriate accreditation and attribution where due.
- Truth and accuracy
SMF News journalists will ensure truth and accuracy by:
3.1 Reviewing all information.
3.2 Verify statements.
3.3 Use clear language.
3.4 Attribute information properly.
3.5 Present news contextually.
3.6 Avoid quote tampering and sensationalism.
3.7 Providing accurate headlines.
3.8 Present only factual information.
3.9 Be cautious of biased sources.
3.10 Acknowledging personal biases.
3.11 Pursue information lawfully.
3.12 Updating news reports with new information as necessary.
3.13 Clearly distinguish what is factual, news and opinion.
- Independence
SMF News aims to produce news that is neutral and has not been influenced by any third party. We aim to give the audience factual accounts of events by:
4.1 Maintaining neutrality, professionalism and ethical conduct.
4.2 Not accept any benefits, monetary or otherwise, in exchange for the production of content.
4.3 Avoid conflicts of interest.
4.4 Disclose personal relationships or affiliations.
4.5 Engage in rigorous fact-checking.
4.6 Refuse to publish content that incites violence or spreads hate speech.
4.7 Maintain independence from the University of Stellenbosch, ensuring editorial autonomy.
4.8 Report on the interests of the community and audiences we serve.
- Minimise harm
SMF News strives to have journalists who treat sources, subjects, colleagues and the
members of the public with respect and dignity in order to minimise harm and protect our audiences, as well as contributors. SMF News pledges to minimise harm by:
5.1 Showing respect and compassion towards affected individuals.
5.2 Only overriding privacy rights when highly necessary.
5.3 Avoid discrimination and prejudice when reporting, acknowledging society’s diversity to offer an impartial portrayal.
5.4 Protect vulnerable individuals, especially children, from potential harm by being considerate and vigilant and not identifying minors in media coverage.
5.5 Consider the reach and permanence of content.
5.6 Updating and correcting information as needed.
5.7 Portraying subjects accurately in photojournalism.
5.8 Showing compassion to victims of crime and tragedy.
5.9 In case of the publication of explicit or upsetting content, place a content warning beforehand.
5.10 Use clear and precise language and avoid the use of jargon.
5.11 Being sensitive when reporting on issues or using terms concerned with gender, race, disability or culturally specific practices.
5.12 Protected comment
5.12.1 Comment and criticism is protected even if it is extreme, unjust, unbalanced, exaggerated or prejudiced, as long as it is without malice, is on a matter of public interest, has taken into fair account all facts that are either true or reasonably so and is presented in a manner that it appears to clearly be comment, as determined by the South African Press Code.
- Data protection
At SMF News, we prioritise the protection of personal information, adhering to the legal framework outlined in the South African Constitution and the Protection of Personal Information Act of 2013. SMF journalists will:
6.1 Prioritise personal information protection, adhering to the legal frameworks of South African law.
6.2 Handle personal data with care, disclosing it only for journalistic purposes, protecting it from loss or unauthorised access.
6.3 Considering public interest as the only factor that may override privacy rights.
6.4 Respect privacy when reporting on sensitive matters, such as rape survivors or individuals’ medical status.
6.5 Handle matters involving children with care and respect and not identifying them without consent from a legal guardian.
6.6 Address data mishandling by informing affected individuals, taking steps to ensure data protection.
- Accountability and transparency
At SMF News, we recognise the paramount importance of accountability and transparency in our journalistic practices. Upholding these principles not only fosters trust with our audiences, but also ensures ethical conduct within our organisation. Guided by this commitment, we pledge to:
7.1 Admit mistakes and publicise corrections.
7.2 Maintain transparency with our audience.
7.3 Facilitate consumer feedback by providing accessible contact information to our audiences.
7.4 Monitoring and responding to feedback.
7.5 Engage in dialogue with media overseers by responding to complaints or queries.
7.6 Justify decisions and actions by developing transparent editorial policies and being prepared to justify conduct to our audiences.
7.7 Maintain evidence of responsible reporting by documenting and storing relevant materials sources.
7.8 Use anonymous sources responsibly by ensuring compelling reasons for anonymity, justifying their inclusion, verifying their information and protecting source anonymity when necessary.
7.9 Abide by the findings and the decisions of the ombudsman in relation to complaints, issues or queries.
Note that any complaints/feedback about SMF News can be sent to our public editor (ombudsman), George Claassen at: george.claassen@gmail.com OR 021 851 3232 OR +27 83 543 2471.
SMF News subscribes to the Press Code of Ethics and Conduct for South African Print and Online Media and this code will apply in tandem with the South African Press Code.