Standards & Ethics
The Immigrant News adheres to the highest tenets of professional journalism, operating under principles closely aligned with the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) Code of Ethics.
1. Truth and Accuracy
- We take responsibility for the accuracy of our work. All facts must be verified, cross-checked, and contextually balanced before publication.
- We will promptly correct errors of fact or context. Corrections will be clearly displayed at the top or bottom of the affected piece, noting the change and the date it was corrected.
2. Independence and Objectivity
- Our editorial coverage is strictly independent of commercial, political, or financial interests. Sponsored content or advertising will always be explicitly labeled as such and kept entirely separate from our newsroom.
- We avoid conflicts of interest, real or perceived. Writers must disclose any personal or financial ties to organizations or individuals featured in their reporting.
3. Minimizing Harm and Protecting Vulnerable Communities
- Given that immigration stories often involve individuals fleeing persecution, violence, or legal jeopardy, we exercise extraordinary caution. We balance the public’s right to know against the potential real-world harm to our subjects.
- We do not reveal the precise location, immigration status, or legal vulnerabilities of undocumented individuals or asylum-seekers unless it is absolutely necessary for the story and done with their fully informed, explicit consent.
- We reject xenophobic, discriminatory, or dehumanizing language. We use precise, legally grounded terminology when discussing immigration statuses.
4. Source Protection Granting anonymity is a last resort, reserved only for instances where a source faces credible threats to their physical safety, livelihood, or legal standing. Once a promise of anonymity is extended, The Immigrant News will legally and ethically exhaust all avenues to protect that source’s identity.