Editorial Policy for The Hilltop Mail Online Newspaper
The Hilltop Mail is committed to providing accurate, fair, and unbiased news coverage to our readers. This editorial policy outlines our commitment to journalistic integrity and the principles that guide our reporting.1
1. Adhere to the journalistic values of honesty, courage, fairness,
balance, independence, credibility and diversity, giving no priority to
commercial or political over professional consideration. We will not take sides on any political or social issue, and will present all viewpoints in a fair and balanced manner.
2. Treat our readers with due respect and address every issue or story with due attention to present a clear, factual and accurate picture while giving full consideration to the feelings of victims of crime, war, persecution and disaster, their relatives and our viewers, and to individual privacies and public decorum.
3. Welcome fair and honest media competition without allowing it to affect adversely our standards of performance and thereby having a “scoop” would not become an end in itself.
4. Present the diverse points of view and opinions without bias and partiality.
5. Recognise diversity in the Northwest societies with all their cultures and beliefs and their values and intrinsic individualities so as to present unbiased and faithful reflection of them.
6. Stand by colleagues in the profession and give them support when required, particularly in the light of the acts of aggression and harassment to which journalists are subjected at times.
7. Ethics: The Hilltop Mail upholds the highest ethical standards in our reporting. We will not engage in plagiarism, fabrication, or any other form of unethical behavior. We will also respect the privacy of individuals and avoid any invasion of their personal lives.
8. Sources: The Hilltop Mail relies on credible sources for our reporting. We will strive to verify the accuracy of all information provided by sources and protect their confidentiality when necessary.
9. Editorial Independence: The Hilltop Mail maintains editorial independence from any outside influence, including advertisers, government officials, or other entities. Our reporting is guided solely by journalistic principles and the pursuit of truth.
10. Opinion: The Hilltop Mail welcomes opinion pieces from a variety of perspectives, but we will clearly distinguish between news reporting and opinion pieces. We will ensure that all opinions are clearly labeled as such and do not misrepresent facts or promote falsehoods.
11. Corrections: The Hilltop Mail will correct any errors promptly and transparently. We will clearly label any corrected information and provide an explanation for the correction.
12. Review and Update: The Hilltop Mail will review and update this editorial policy periodically to ensure that it remains relevant and effective.
Conclusion: The Hilltop Mail is committed to upholding the highest standards of journalistic integrity in our reporting. We believe that this editorial policy will help us to maintain the trust of our readers and continue to provide high-quality news coverage.