Ethics policy
These policies are meant to guide TechGraph journalism as we deliver news and information to global news consumers. We consider these guidelines as an important policy for us.
TechGraph is pledged to avoid conflicts of interest or the appearance of a conflict of interest wherever and whenever possible. We have adopted stringent policies on these issues, conscious that they may be more restrictive than is customary in the world of private business.
What we do not entertain:
We don’t accept gifts or commissions from any news sources. We neither seek nor accept preferential treatment that might be rendered because of the positions we hold.
We do not accept payments either as honoraria or as expenses from governments, government-funded organizations, groups of government officials, political groups, or organizations that take positions on controversial issues.
Our reporter or editor cannot accept payment from any person, company, or organization that he or she covers. And we should avoid accepting money from individuals, companies, trade associations, or organizations that lobby the government or otherwise try to influence issues the newspaper covers.
We avoid active involvement in any partisan causes: politics, community affairs, social action, demonstrations that could compromise or seem to compromise our ability to report and edit fairly.
Fairness
Opinion: The separation of news columns from the editorial pages is solemn and complete. This separation is intended to serve the reader, who is entitled to the facts in the news columns and to opinions on the editorial and “Opinion” pages.
But nothing in this separation of functions is intended to eliminate from the news columns honest, in-depth reporting, or analysis or commentary when plainly labeled. The labels are designed as follows:
Analysis: Interpretation of the news based on evidence, including data, as well as anticipating how events might unfold based on past events
Perspective: Discussion of news topics with a point of view, including narratives by individuals regarding their own experiences.
Verification and fact-checking standards
Our reporters have primary responsibility for reporting, writing, and fact-checking their stories. Stories are subject to review by one or more editors.
We have a multilevel structure for the review and editing of stories that may include fact-checking. These include assignment editors (department heads, their deputy editors, and assistant editors) who collaborate with reporters on the origination of stories and typically provide an initial review when a story is submitted by a reporter; multiplatform editors (also called copy editors) who often provide the initial review on breaking news stories and routinely provide the second-level review on online coverage and other less-time-sensitive stories; and senior editors who have overall oversight of the daily and weekend report for publication.
Corrections policy
TechGraph works hard to provide accurate and complete news reports. We endeavor to be promptly responsive in correcting errors in the material published on our digital platforms. When we run a correction, clarification, or editor’s note, our goal is to tell readers, as clearly and quickly as possible, what was wrong and what is correct.
Updating a digital report
Our individual pieces of journalism evolve as we sharpen and improve them. Our readers expect that from us in the digital age. It is unnecessary to put notes on stories stating that a story has been updated unless there is a particular reason to note the addition of new information or other change; the time stamp signals to readers that they are reading a developing story. It is necessary to use a correction, clarification, or editor’s note to inform readers whenever we correct a significant mistake.
Corrections
If we are substantively correcting an article, photo caption, headline, graphic, video, or other material, we should promptly publish a correction explaining the change.
Clarifications
When our journalism is factually correct but the language we used to explain those facts is not as clear or detailed as it should be, the language should be rewritten and a clarification added to the story.
A clarification can also be used to note that we initially failed to seek a comment or response that has since been added to the story or that new reporting has shifted our account of an event.