NHPR News Code of Ethics and Practices

NHPR News Code of Ethics and Practices

I. Introduction

The document that follows is the NHPR News Code of Ethics and Practices.

NHPR's code of ethics is nearly identical to a code adopted by National Public Radio in 2004. The material in this code was drawn from a number of sources, including the ethics codes of other news organizations including The New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Dow Jones, Society for Professional Journalists, American Society of Newspaper Editors, the CBC and CNN. Many of the provisions in this ethics code are in theirs as well and there are even some instances where we have adopted the same language from the others because their wording was just right.

II. Statement of Purpose

Credibility.

As a news organization we are always testing and questioning the credibility of others. We have to stand that test ourselves.

The purpose of having a code of ethics and practices is to protect the credibility of NHPR news programming by ensuring high standards of honesty, integrity, impartiality and conduct of staff. We accomplish this by (a) articulating the ethical standards we observe in pursuing and presenting stories, (b) setting rules and policies that prevent conflicts of interest, (c) establishing guidelines for outside work and activities that may reflect on NHPR, and (d) establishing policies and procedures to ensure that the activities of NHPR that fall outside journalism - corporate underwriting, foundation funding, marketing and promotional activities - do not jeopardize our journalistic independence or involve NHPR reporters, editors, hosts or producers in activities inappropriate to their role as journalists.

III. Who and What is Covered

This code covers all NHPR journalists, defined as employees who report (including hosts and newscasters), edit or produce news programming. It also covers all senior News managers. The code applies to all platforms for NHPR News content, including Online.

The code also applies to material provided to NHPR News by independent producers and freelance reporters. NHPR News expects its outside contributors to be free of conflicts of interest on stories they cover, to be fair and accurate, and to pursue stories in a manner consistent with the ethical journalism principles stated in this code. There will be instances where provisions of this code are not applicable to an outside contributor (a freelancer who primarily does arts coverage, for example, may not in some situations be subject to the prohibition on making contributions to political campaigns). Supervisors will make these judgments on a case-by-case basis and, if necessary, in consultation with the Vice President for Programming. Because contributors in this category are not NHPR employees, the remedy for dealing with a conflict of interest or other violation of the principles of this code is rejection of the offered material as well as any future story proposals similarly affected by the conflict. As with NHPR News employees, outside contributors must disclose potential conflicts of interest when they accept an assignment or make a story pitch, and NHPR editors must make sufficient inquiries of those persons to satisfy themselves that the contributors have complied with this code.

IV. Statement of Principles

Our coverage must be fair, unbiased, accurate, complete and honest. As NHPR journalists, we are expected to conduct ourselves in a manner that leaves no question about our independence and fairness. We must treat the people we cover and our listeners with respect.

1.Fairness means that we present all important views on a subject - and treat them even-handedly. This range of views may be encompassed in a single story on a controversial topic, or it may play
out over a body of coverage or series of commentaries. But at all times the commitment to presenting all important views must be conscious and affirmative, and it must be timely if it is being accomplished over the course of more than one story.

2. Unbiased means that we separate our personal opinions - such as an individual's religious beliefs or political ideology - from
the subjects we are covering. We do not approach any coverage with overt or hidden agendas.

3. Accuracy means that each day we make rigorous
efforts at all levels of the newsgathering and programming process to ensure our facts are not only right but also presented in the correct context. We make every possible effort to ensure commentaries are correct in assertions of fact.

We attempt to verify what our sources and the officials we interview tell us when the material involved is argumentative or capable of different interpretations. We are skeptical of all facts gathered and report them only when we are reasonably satisfied of their accuracy. We guard against errors of omission that cause a story to misinform our listeners by failing to be complete. We make sure that our language accurately describes the facts and does not imply a fact we have not confirmed.

4. Honesty means we do not deceive the people or
institutions we cover about our identity or intentions, and we do not deceive our listeners. We do not deceive our listeners by presenting the work of others as our own (plagiarism), by cutting interviews in ways that distort their meaning, or by manipulating audio in a way that distorts its meaning, how it was obtained or when it was obtained. The same standards apply to photographs used on NHPR Online. Honesty means owning up publicly and quickly to mistakes we make on air.

5. Treating the people we cover and our listeners with respect means we recognize the diversity of the state and region on which we report, and the diversity of interests, attitudes and experiences of our audience. We approach subjects in an open-minded, sensitive and civil way.

V. Conflicts of Interest
1. Conducting ourselves in a manner that inspires confidence in us as independent and fair means avoiding actual and apparent conflicts of interest or engaging in outside activities, public comment or writing that calls into question our ability to report fairly on a subject.

2. A conflict of interest in its simplest dictionary term is a conflict
between the private interests and the professional responsibilities of a person in a position of trust. An operative word in this sentence is "trust." All of us are in positions of trust when it comes to both our audience and the people and institutions that we cover. To maintain that trust requires that there be no real or perceived overlap between the private interests and opinions of NHPR journalists and their professional responsibilities.

3. An employee covered by this code has the responsibility to disclose
potential conflicts of interest. Revealing a conflict of interest after an individual has already participated in coverage where such a conflict exists or appears to exist is can be extremely damaging to the reputation of NHPR. NHPR journalists must, at the time they are first assigned to cover or work on a matter, disclose to their immediate supervisor any business, commercial, financial or personal interests where such interests might reasonably be construed as being in actual, apparent or potential conflict with their duties. This would include situations in which a spouse, family member or partner is an active participant in a subject area that the NHPR journalist covers. In the financial category, this does not include a journalist's investment in mutual funds or pension funds that are invested by fund managers in a broad range of companies. The supervisor will decide whether the interests create an actual conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict.

In making these decisions, supervisors should feel free to consult with their manager or NHPR's Vice President for Programming.

VI. Outside Work, Freelancing, Speaking Engagements

1. The primary responsibility of NHPR journalists is to gather, write,
edit or produce news for NHPR and not work in direct competition with NHPR. An example of competing with NHPR would be breaking a story for another news outlet before reporting the story for NHPR.

2. NHPR journalists must get written permission for all outside freelance
or journalistic work. Requests should be submitted in writing to the employee's immediate supervisor. Approval will not be unreasonably denied if the proposed work will not discredit NHPR, conflict with NHPR's interests, create a conflict of interest for the employee or interfere with the employee's ability to perform NHPR duties. Supervisors must respond within seven days of receiving a request.

3. NHPR journalists may not engage in public relations work, paid or unpaid. Exceptions may be made for certain volunteer nonprofit, nonpartisan activities, such as participating in the work of a church or synagogue or charitable organization, so long as this would not conflict with the interests of NHPR in reporting on activities related to that charity. When in doubt, employees should consult their supervisor.

4. In general, NHPR journalists may not do outside work for government or agencies principally funded by government, or for private organizations that are regularly covered by NHPR. This includes work that would be done on leaves of absence. There may be instances in which such work will be approved after consultation with the journalist's supervisor.

5. NHPR journalists may not ghostwrite or co-author articles or books
with people they cover, or write reports - such as annual reports - for
government agencies, institutions or businesses that we cover.

6. NHPR journalists must get approval from the Director of Administration
for speaking to groups that might have a relationship to a subject that NHPR may cover. Generally, NHPR journalists may not speak at corporation or industry functions. NHPR journalists also may not speak in settings where their appearance is being used by an organization to market its services or products, unless it is marketing NHPR or its interests, and then only as permitted in Section IX, Item 5 (below). NHPR journalists are permitted to engage in promotional activities for books they have written (such as a book tour), although they are expected to get approval from their supervisors on scheduling.

7. NHPR journalists may only accept speaking fees from educational or nonprofit groups not engaged in significant lobbying or political activity. Determining whether a group engages in significant lobbying or political activity is the responsibility of the journalist seeking permission, and all information must be fully disclosed to the journalist's supervisor.

8. NHPR journalists may not speak to groups where the journalist's appearance might put in question his or her impartiality. Such instances include situations where the employee's appearance may appear to endorse the agenda of a group or organization.

9. NHPR journalists must get permission from their supervisor or the Vice President for Programming to appear on TV or other media. It is not necessary to get permission in each instance when the employee is a regular participant on an approved show. Permission for such appearances may be revoked if NHPR determines they raise questions about the journalist's impartiality.

10. In appearing on TV or other media, NHPR journalists should not express views they would not air in their role as journalists on NHPR's programs. They should not participate in shows that encourage punditry and speculation rather than fact-based analysis.

11. Any NHPR journalist intending to write a non-fiction book or TV or movie script or other guiding documents for non-radio productions based
in whole or substantial part on assignments they did for NHPR must notify NHPR in writing of such plans before entering into any agreement with respect to that work. NHPR will respond within 14 days as to whether it has any objections to the project.

12. NHPR journalists considering book projects or TV or movie productions
based on stories that they have covered must be careful not to give any impression they might benefit financially from the outcome of news events.

VII. Personal Gain, Gifts, Freebies, Loaned Equipment or Merchandise, etc.
1. NHPR journalists may not accept compensation, including property or benefits of any kind, from people or institutions they cover. NHPR journalists may accept gifts of token value (hats, mugs, t-shirts, etc.). Unsolicited items of significant value will be returned with a letter thanking the sender but stating our policy on gifts. NHPR journalists pick up the check when they can (i.e., they are not wined and dined by sources); NHPR journalists pay for our own travel in accordance with NHPR's travel policy. There are certain instances - such as conferences and conventions - where food is provided as a convenience for the press as a whole, and in such instances it is acceptable to take advantage of this. In addition, NHPR journalists may accept paid travel and meals for speaking engagements and awards ceremonies that are approved under the standards in Section V of this document.

2. NHPR journalists must conduct themselves at all times in a manner that leaves no grounds for belief, or even the appearance, that information they have gathered on the job has been used for personal gain, financial or otherwise.

3. NHPR journalists may not use any nonpublic information acquired at work for personal gain, or use their association with NHPR for personal gain. No NHPR journalist may disclose information acquired by NHPR to anyone inside or outside of NHPR if the intent is to use that information for personal or institutional gain. This prohibition does not apply to accepted journalistic practices, such as sharing information as a member of a news "pool."

4. NHPR journalists pay their own way in newsgathering, except in unusual circumstances (like going into battle with the military). The Vice President for Programming must approve any exceptions. NHPR journalists may accept free passes to movie screenings, performances or similar activities that are attended for the purpose of doing reviews or stories for the air.

5. NHPR journalists cannot sell items like books, CDs, etc., that are received at NHPR for review. They belong to NHPR. They may be distributed
to staff for their personal use (which may include donations to charities) after they are no longer needed.

6. NHPR journalists cannot keep any equipment or items of value provided by a company for test-use for story purposes. Such items must be disclosed to the journalist's supervisor and are to be disposed of in accordance with the ethical practices stated in this document, which usually means returning such items to the provider.

VIII. Ethical Conduct in Coverage of News
1. Plagiarism is an unforgivable offense. NHPR journalists do not take other peoples' work and present it as our own.

2. NHPR News puts its highest value on firsthand news gathering and
confirmation of facts, as opposed to relying on material from other sources (AP, other newspapers and networks, etc.)

3. NHPR journalists must take special care in the use they make of information from wire service stories, reports by other broadcast news organizations, newspaper clips or articles in other publications. No material from another source other than the Associated Press should ever be included verbatim, or substantially so, without attribution.

When using material from newspaper stories or news websites, NHPR journalists must double-check "facts" and other material gleaned from those stories. Too often, incorrect information is passed down from one news story to another because of the failure of one news organization to get it right. NHPR should never pass on errors in this way.

4. NHPR journalists are generous in giving credit to other news organizations for stories that demonstrate enterprise or contain exclusive information. If their story inspires us to replicate it, we should give credit even if we use different sources and materials. If there is any doubt about whether to credit another news organization, ask News Director.

5. NHPR journalists must treat the people they cover fairly and with
respect. They always keep in mind that gathering and reporting information may cause harm or discomfort, and they weigh that against the importance of the story. NHPR journalists show sensitivity when seeking or using interviews of those affected by tragedy or grief. They show special sensitivity when dealing with children and inexperienced or unsophisticated sources or subjects, or individuals who have difficulty understanding the language in which they are being interviewed.

6. There are also legal considerations when dealing with minors - anyone
under the age of 18. If you interview a minor, you must obtain written or recorded permission from the minor's parent or legal guardian before using the audio. In fact, you cannot identify the minor in any way (by name, description, location, etc.) without permission. Only if the minor is not individually identifiable - for example, the sound of a gaggle of children on a playground - do you not need to get permission. If there are other more routine instances in which a reporter wishes to use audio from a minor who is identified when permission has not been obtained, the reporter's supervisor should consult the station attorney to determine whether that might be permissible.

7. NHPR journalists think carefully about the boundaries between legitimate journalistic pursuit and an individual's right to privacy. We recognize that private people have a greater right to control information about themselves than do public officials and others who seek power, influence or attention. Only an overriding public need to know can justify intrusion into anyone's privacy.

8. NHPR journalists make sure actualities, quotes or paraphrases of those we interview are accurate and are used in the proper context. An actuality from an interviewee or speaker should reflect accurately what that person was asked or was responding to. If we use tape or material from an earlier story, we clearly identify it as such. We tell listeners about the circumstances of an interview if that information is pertinent (such as the time the interview took place, the fact that an interviewee was speaking to us while on the fly, etc.). Whenever it's not clear how an interview was obtained, we should make it clear. The audience deserves more information, not less. The burden is on the NHPR journalist to ensure that our use of such material is true to the meaning the interviewee or speaker intended.

9. Journalism should be conducted in the open. NHPR journalists do not misrepresent themselves: NHPR journalists disclose who they are and don't
pose as law enforcement officials, investigators or other such officials. There will be occasions not to declare our profession but rather to seek information as a member of the public working in places to which the general public has access, such as stores, public buildings, etc.

10. NHPR journalists do not use hidden microphones, recorders or cameras except in unusual circumstances. Occasionally information that serves an important journalistic purpose, such as in reporting on illegal, antisocial or fraudulent activities, cannot be obtained by more open means. In such circumstances, approval must be obtained from the General Manager before any taping or photographing takes place. NHPR journalists do not record phone calls without permission.

11. If there is a question of legality in pursuit of a story, NHPR journalists should consult their supervisors and the Vice President for Programming. NHPR has lawyers available to assist NHPR journalists. If you have any question about the legality of your conduct, contact your supervisor, who will contact a lawyer.

12. NHPR journalists do not pay for information from sources or newsmakers. They do not allow sources or interviewees to dictate how a topic will be covered, or which other voices or ideas will be included. They do not agree to submit questions in advance unless a specific instance is approved by their supervisor. If questions are submitted in advance, this will be disclosed in our coverage.

13. NHPR journalists do not sign non-disclosure agreements, except in the rarest of circumstances. Exceptions to this rule must be approved by the
Vice President for Programming. NHPR journalists respect embargoes on news unless the circumstances surrounding the embargo make adherence to it inappropriate, such as where the information has already surfaced elsewhere or a strong public interest requires the disclosure to place other news in the proper context.

14. Although NHPR journalists do agree to talk to sources on background
when necessary, NHPR's strong preference is to have people on the record.
Before any information is accepted without full attribution, reporters should make every reasonable effort to get it on the record. If that is not possible, reporters should consider seeking the information elsewhere.

15. When reporters quote anonymous sources, the editor or producer of that story has an obligation to satisfy him/herself that the source is credible and reliable, and there is a journalistically justifiable reason to let that person speak without attribution. This obligation also pertains to situations where individuals ask that their real names be withheld. The editor or producer has a twofold responsibility: (1) to make a judgment about whether it is editorially justified to let the person speak anonymously or under cover of a pseudonym or partial description, and (2) to satisfy him/herself that this person is who the
piece says s/he is. An editor should never be in the position of having to verify these things after a story has aired and a question is raised about it. If a pseudonym is used, the reporter must disclose this in the story.

16. When NHPR journalists attribute information in a story to a "source" or "sources," it is assumed that these are the NHPR journalists' sources and that they have obtained the information firsthand. If this is not the case, and the sources are ones quoted by other news organizations, then those sources must be attributed to those other news organizations.

17. NHPR journalists do not show scripts in advance or preview pieces to any person not affiliated with NHPR. An NHPR journalist may review portions of a script or read back a quotation to assure accuracy. An NHPR journalist may also play audio or read transcripts of an interview to a third party if the purpose is to get that party's reaction to what another person has said.

18. Our corrections policy is to correct substantive errors of fact in a timely way. If a reporter, host, editor or producer believes NHPR got something wrong - or that there was a serious defect in a piece - s/he has an affirmative responsibility to get that on the table for investigation and possible correction. Many times NHPR learns these things when someone outside brings an error to its attention. That is one natural way of finding out. But if NHPR journalists have reason to believe there was a significant error, they should not wait for it to be pointed out. NHPR journalists should err on the side of caution in checking corrections, clarifications or retractions with their supervisor (who should consult station legal counsel) before they air or are posted online if there is any possibility the material in question poses a legal
liability.

19. A reporter or host should make clear when an interview has begun or has ended so there is no question about what is or isn't for broadcast, or what is on the record or not.

20. Archival audio or audio that was obtained from a past story must be identified as such if it is used in a new piece. The listener should not be left to think that any archival or previously obtained audio was gathered in the context of the current piece. As an example, a story updating a controversy surrounding an individual would be misleading if it included new assertions of fact but only used past statements by that individual and failed to identify them as such.

21. In general, the same ethical and editorial standards apply to online journalism that apply to radio journalism, although there are unique considerations pertaining to Online (for example, questions concerning the use of images and photographs or linking to other material). Those issues will be addressed on a case-by-case basis.

22. NHPR's Standard Out Cue (SOC) policy is either to SOC out from the place where the reporter is filing or, if the reporter is no longer there, to SOC out generically ("Joe Smith, NHPR News") and establish the "place" of the story in the intro and body of the story itself.

23. NHPR does not name victims of sexual assaults. There will at times be exceptions - such as certain instances when a victim goes public with his/her identity - and NHPR editors will judge these instances on
a case-by-case basis.

IX. Politics, Community and Outside Activities
1. NHPR journalists may not run for office, endorse candidates or otherwise engage in politics. Since contributions to candidates are part of the public record, NHPR journalists may not contribute to political campaigns, as doing so would call into question a journalist's impartiality in coverage.

2. NHPR journalists may not participate in marches and rallies involving
causes or issues that NHPR covers, nor should they sign petitions or otherwise lend their name to such causes, or contribute money to them.

3. NHPR journalists may not serve on government boards or commissions.

4. NHPR journalists may sit on community advisory boards, educational
institution trustee boards, boards of religious organizations or boards of nonprofit organizations so long as NHPR does not normally cover them and they are not engaged in significant lobbying or political activity. Such activities should be disclosed to the journalist's supervisor, and NHPR may revoke approval if it believes continued service will create the appearance of a conflict of interest or an actual conflict.

5. When a spouse, family member or partner of an NHPR journalist is involved in political activity, the journalist should be sensitive to the
fact that this could create real or apparent conflicts of interest. In such instances the NHPR journalist should advise his or her supervisor to determine whether s/he should recuse him or herself from a certain story or certain coverage.

X. Underwriting; Foundation Grants; Advertising, Marketing and Promotion
1. A firewall will be maintained between NHPR journalists and funders.
While staff members will inevitably end up talking to experts and officials who work at foundations provide funding to NHPR (and their grantees), we may not discuss coverage planning with grant-making officials.

2. The President and CEO will designate individuals who will serve as contacts with funders for grant-making purposes or other communications.

3. If NHPR reports on an organization or individual who funds us, we will disclose that relationship on air if the subject of the report is directly related to the thrust of the grant we received.

5. When authorized by their supervisor, NHPR journalists may take
part or be asked to take part in promotional activities or events involving supporters of NHPR, such as our fund drives and public events.

XI. Application and Enforcement of this Code
1. Application and enforcement of this Code is the responsibility in the first instance of every NHPR journalist. This responsibility extends to
both him/herself and to every other NHPR journalist with whom he/she works. We should feel free to guide ourselves by offering suggestions to our peers to help them comply with their obligations under this Code.

2. Editors and producers have special responsibility for application
of this Code to matters they are editing or producing. For each story that is produced, they should be satisfied that the standards of this Code have been met.

3. NHPR journalists who do not comply with the Code may be subject
to disciplinary action up to and including termination.

XII. Miscellaneous
1. We do not enter journalism contests or competitions when they are sponsored by groups that have an interest in influencing our coverage. All entries for contests or competitions must be approved by the Managing Editor or designee.

2. NHPR journalists should not speak on behalf of NHPR, or its policies
and practices, unless authorized to do so by appropriate company officials. All press inquiries about NHPR policies and practices must be directed to NHPR's Assistant General Manager.

3. Generally, NHPR journalists may not endorse products or provide blurbs for books, movies or performances using their NHPR identification. The
Vice President for Programming may make exceptions to this rule, such as when the author of a book is a colleague of the blurb-writer. However, permission will be denied in other circumstances, such as when the author is a politician or someone the NHPR journalist covers. Blurbs drawn accurately and in context from material that has been on our air are permissible.

4. NHPR journalists must not turn over any notes, audio or working materials from their stories or provide information they have observed in the course of their journalistic activities to government officials or parties involved in or considering litigation. If such materials or information are requested pursuant to governmental, administrative or other legal process, NHPR journalists should immediately consult their supervisors.

5. NHPR owns material that has been collected or produced by NHPR journalists in the course of their duties, irrespective of whether it has been distributed on our air outright, and it may not be reproduced elsewhere without the permission of NHPR.

6. The provisions of this code are subject to the employment and other policies made generally applicable to all NHPR employees.