Internews Network is an international non-profit organization that works to improve access to information for people around the world by fostering independent media and promoting open communications policies in the public interest. Internews’ programs are built on the conviction that providing people with access to vibrant, diverse news and information empowers them to participate effectively in their communities, effect positive social change, improve their living standards, and make their voices heard.

Internews personnel serve in a variety of roles. Internews trains journalists and news managers, helps produce innovative radio and television news programming, and provides on-the-ground technical assistance to local journalists in countries all around the world.

Internews staff work as moderators who facilitate dialogue between parties in conflict.

Internews promotes open media laws and policies. The organization advises governments on media law and policies that foster media rights and freedom of speech, provides legal support to journalists, and helps broadcasters comply with local laws. Internews also helps create national media associations that advocate for just and open media laws, defend the civil rights of journalists, and promote industry reform.

In developing countries, Internews works to encourage adoption of the legal and regulatory frameworks that make new information and communications technologies such as the Internet, email and cell phones, as accessible as possible.

In order to avoid conflicts of interest, it is essential to understand the implications of each of these activities, to make clear the distinctions between them, and to be aware of ethical guidelines that will strengthen the credibility and effectiveness of the work we do in every arena. Adherence to these guidelines should help Internews staff work to work efficiently and to deflect inappropriate pressure from funders, political officials or others who seek to use Internews’ authority improperly. Accordingly, Internews staff and trainees should strive to work according to the following ethical standards:

Transparency. Internews’ goal is to operate as openly as possible. While it is impractical to publicize the internal workings of each project, Internews personnel are straightforward and honest in their work. They do not undertake projects with hidden agendas or secret funding. They are open in identifying the specific role they are playing in each project. Internews Network’s management and funding sources are publicly reported.

Impartiality. Whether they are working as journalists, trainers, moderators or producers, Internews staff attempt to provide a fair and representative array of relevant viewpoints. It is inappropriate to seek the protections and access that the neutral observer’s role demands, and then actively advocate one side of the debate. By leaving the partisan advocacy role to others and making the distinction clear, journalists protect the credibility of their impartial news reports.

There are three important exceptions to this neutral stance:

“Opinion” media are identified as such. Within a news organization, some producers, columnists or analysts may be selected to advocate a point of view or political allegiance. To maximize credibility, the journalist should choose between being an impartial news journalist or a partisan advocate, rather than trying to be both at once. The choice should be declared to the public.
It is appropriate for journalists to advocate on behalf of free speech, rule of law, political accountability for all, open media and full public access to government information.
While they eschew being “advocates” on partisan issues or political campaigns, some Internews staff will appropriately conduct “issue education campaigns” for journalists and the public, on topics that are chosen in consultation with Internews management. Appropriate topics include: advice on how to cover conflict without inflaming the protagonists; information about public safety concerns such as HIV/AIDS; and illegal trafficking in women and children. Inappropriate advocacy includes: covering an issue or political campaign with a deliberate bias for or against, while claiming to be a professional, impartial journalist; or shaping news content according to the bias or requests of an Internews funder.

Correcting errors: Internews journalists, trainers and producers strive to be accountable. They correct errors as quickly and fairly as possible, and attempt to offer the corrections as prominently as the errors were made. It is helpful if journalists in a community hold each other accountable for professional standards, and criticize others who operate falsely.

Facticity: Factual verification is a hallmark of good journalism, training and moderating. If opinion journalism is offered, it is best separated from news stories and labeled as opinion.

Independence: Internews’ loyalty is to the public rather than to any particular funder, government, interest group, or other sponsor. Funders and other supporters cannot dictate specific content or advocacy in Internews’ journalism.

Attribution: If using someone else’s work, Internews staff identify the source and provide appropriate credit. If repeating someone else’s news information, it is best journalism practice to verify the information independently or to identify the source and admit that independent verification was not possible.

Support for open media: It is Internews’ professional ethic to support the unbiased and comprehensive flow of true information (facts) and debate (opinions) to the public.

Censorship. Internews opposes censorship, but practices professional editing, with truth as the highest priority. Rumors or propaganda should be avoided, and always labeled as such if used at all. Professional journalism involves selecting what is most relevant and true rather than broadcasting what is unverified simply because it may seem “interesting.” Internews subscribes to the values articulated by Bill Kovach and Tom Rosenstiel in their book, The Elements of Journalism:

The purpose of journalism is to provide people with the information they need to be free and self-governing.
Journalism’s first obligation is to the truth.
Its first loyalty is to citizens.
Its essence is a discipline of verification.
Its practitioners must maintain an independence from those they cover.
It must serve as an independent monitor of power.
It must provide a forum for public criticism and compromise.
It must strive to make the significant interesting and relevant.
It must keep the news comprehensive and proportional.
Its practitioners must be allowed to exercise their personal conscience.

Adopted by the Internews Network Board of Directors, November 2001. Revised with updated mission statement adopted by Board, November 2004.