Hermosa Neighborhood Association HNA Media Ethics Guide

The Hermosa Neighborhood Association believes that all volunteers and writer-volunteers should uphold the highest standards of ethics, fairness and honesty. The Hermosa Neighborhood Association follows guidelines outlined by the Society of Professional Journalists. Our content must be accurate, thorough, complete and fair.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Everything on our social media accounts should reflect the messaging and mission of the HNA. We maintain HNA’s media standards when posting or sharing news on social media. 

CORRECTIONS

The HNA is committed to correcting or clarifying errors in a prompt and open manner. We encourage feedback from the public and take any requests for clarification or correction seriously. 

AUDIO AND VISUAL EDITING

HNA volunteers may improve and enhance the technical quality of footage, recordings and accompanying sound to achieve high production values.  

We do not extend backgrounds of news images or add any elements to a photo through Photoshop or other means. When making audio edits, we ensure that you do not change the meaning or intent of what someone said.

DATELINES

Datelines identify for readers of text articles where and when a news event occurred. If no dateline is included, it is assumed that source information is cited, providing source credit and accurate reference.

CHALLENGES TO FACTS AND FAIRNESS

We take all challenges to the integrity of our media content seriously. If legal counsel representing a subject of a story contacts anyone at HNA, the editor in chief and our legal counsel should be notified immediately. Retraction demands will be reviewed in a timely manor. When challenges to our facts or retraction demands are received, it’s prudent to refrain from any direct interaction with sources or attorneys representing the aggrieved parties. 

CREDITING OTHER MEDIA

Any information taken from other published or broadcast sources should receive credit within the body of the story or broadcast. Reporters, producers and editors also should be aware of previously published/broadcast work on the same subject and give those news organizations credit if they have broken new ground or published exclusive material before any others.

DONOR INTERACTION

In the name of transparency, when we produce content that involve donors to the Hermosa Neighborhood Association, we will disclose the relationship. 

FAIRNESS

All sources will be treated with courtesy and respect in the newsgathering process. Hermosa Neighborhood Association volunteers will act professionally at all times in dealing with sources. Whenever practical, attempts should be made to contact anyone named in our content.

GIFTS

Hermosa Neighborhood Association volunteers will under no circumstance accept gifts from sources or potential content sources. A gratuity, such as a pen, mug, paperweight or certificate, given to a volunteer for being a guest speaker at a community meeting or service club can be accepted, as long as it is a token of appreciation given to every speaker.

HARM

As outlined by the Society of Professional Journalists, content writers should strive to minimize harm. Show compassion for those who may be affected adversely by news coverage. Use special sensitivity when dealing with children and inexperienced sources or subjects. Be sensitive when seeking or using interviews or photographs of those affected by tragedy or grief. 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. 

Regarding reporting criminal activity such as the publishing of CAPS meeting discussions, we do not identify suspects or exact addresses of victims or other locations of criminal activity unless it is a business and public information.

INTERVIEWS BY OTHER MEDIA

Volunteers, including executive directors of the HNA should remain professional at all times representing the organization, and messaging should be related to the mission of the organization. We encourage our volunteers to be accessible and open, but we prefer to weigh the platform and venue carefully before agreeing for them to appear on air.

MISREPRESENTATION

Under no circumstances will volunteers mislead sources, lie, cheat, steal or engage in any other immoral, unethical or illegal behavior in pursuit of a content. 

PLAGIARISM

All outside work must be properly credited and clearly noted. This includes any material on the Internet. Quotation marks will be used when using exact language to avoid plagiarism. Public policy and laws should be referenced. In no way is fabrication of details tolerated. Readers must be confident that the content they read from the HNA is truthful and accurate. 

VERIFICATION

The HNA’s mission for our media content is built on honesty, accuracy and informing the public of local issues and events. Volunteers are responsible for confirming all facts and for referencing their content.