This Code of Ethics states the standards under which CEO News Network gathers, writes, edits and presents journalism. It is a practical newsroom rule, not a marketing slogan. Where an article involves an unusual method, conflict, commercial relationship or uncertainty that a reasonable reader should know, the relevant fact should be disclosed in or near the article.
Accuracy before speed
We verify consequential facts before publication and use the strongest source reasonably available. A claim by an official, company, campaign, celebrity, researcher or witness is attributed to that source; it is not converted into an established fact by repetition. Names, numbers, dates, quotations and jurisdictions are checked with special care. If only a limited fact is established, the headline and article should reflect that limit.
Independent reporting and original writing
Staff Reports material is prepared by the desk from records, statements, data, interviews where available and reputable reporting. We do not copy another outlet’s article, disguise rewritten wire copy as original reporting or use aggregation to remove the need for verification. When another newsroom’s reporting is material, attribution should make that relationship clear. Facts may be common property; another writer’s expression, structure and exclusive work are not.
Fairness and right of reply
People and institutions facing serious criticism, allegations or adverse findings should ordinarily be given a reasonable opportunity to respond before publication, proportionate to the urgency and seriousness of the story. Fairness does not require false balance between established evidence and unsupported assertion, nor does it give a subject veto over truthful reporting. Responses are represented accurately and not reduced to a ritual sentence when the response contains material information.
Conflicts, gifts and outside interests
Editorial staff and contributors should disclose conflicts that could reasonably affect coverage, including financial interests, close relationships, paid work, activism directly tied to the subject or prior involvement in an event. Gifts, hospitality, free products and preferential access must not purchase favourable treatment. Review products or access may be accepted only where needed for legitimate coverage and should be disclosed when material. A person with an unmanageable conflict should not control the story.
Commercial separation
Advertising, sponsorship, affiliate relationships and paid distribution do not determine what the newsroom investigates or concludes. Paid material is labelled, advertisers are identified honestly and commercial staff may not present a paid placement as independent journalism. If the publication reports on an owner, advertiser, affiliate partner or sister company in circumstances where the relationship is material, that relationship should be disclosed.
Sources, anonymity and sensitive material
Anonymous sources are used sparingly and only when the information is important, the source is positioned to know it and identifying the source could cause disproportionate harm or prevent access to the truth. The desk should understand the source’s motive and seek corroboration. Confidentiality promises are taken seriously but cannot be used to launder a falsehood. Documents are assessed for authenticity, provenance, legality and the risk created by publication. Stolen, hacked or private material is not published merely because it is available; there must be a strong public-interest justification and legal review where appropriate.
Privacy, harm and vulnerable people
Public interest can justify reporting that a subject would prefer to keep private, but curiosity alone is not public interest. We take care with victims of crime, children, patients, grieving families, people in crisis and private individuals drawn briefly into a public event. Identifying details, images and locations are included only when they are necessary and proportionate. Suicide, self-harm, sexual offences, medical information and graphic material require particular restraint and compliance with applicable reporting guidance.
Images, audio, data and automation
Visual material should depict what the caption says it depicts. File photographs and illustrative images should be identified where confusion is possible. Editing must not materially alter the evidentiary meaning of a photograph. Data stories should identify the source, period and important limits. Automation may assist with transcription, formatting, tagging or routine production, but it does not become the accountable author of a factual claim; editorial responsibility remains with the desk, and material automation or synthetic media should be disclosed where a reasonable audience could be misled.
Corrections and accountability
Errors are corrected under the Corrections policy. A correction is an editorial obligation, not a negotiation tactic. Readers may challenge sourcing, fairness, conflicts or privacy decisions through the Contact page. The desk should distinguish a factual correction from disagreement with an interpretation and explain the outcome where the challenge raises a material point.