Newtonial's Policy Statements

Journalistic and Editorial Policy

Newtonial expressly seeks to represent the broadest spectrum possible of quality news. We do not take a position on the political or social alignment of a publication, only that it presents quality, fact-based reporting and commentary. The platform is designed to actively promote exploration across the spectrum of news, rewarding readers for both breadth and depth of reading on particular subjects.

Editorial and journalistic integrity is integral to our ability to achieve our mission. Adherence to these foundational values in our content production underpins our ability to connect to local and national audiences with credibility. We cannot educate or entertain effectively, or foster dialogue and engagement, advance the joy of learning nor deliver diverse perspectives, without a commitment to .

All Newtonial employees are subject to the Newtonail's Code of Ethics/Conduct Policy. These guidelines apply specifically to all journalists, producers, editors, photographers, cinematographers, researchers, talent and senior management involved in the creation of editorial or journalistic content across Newtonial's platforms.

Content producers for Newtonial are required always strive to protect the editorial integrity of the content they are making and that they follow the highest ethical conduct in its production.

Where the term “producer” is used we mean to include reporters or other staff persons with day-to-day editorial responsibility for any editorial or journalistic content. Where the term “Executive Producer” is used we mean to include, where appropriate, any senior producer or editorial or journalistic project supervisor. Where the term “program” is used we mean all editorial or journalistic content regardless of platform (to include games, quizzes, documentaries, news segments, television, digital video, social media posts, radio and written content).

Newtonial expects producers we hire and contract with to be interested in honest inquiry into the matter at hand and will approach the making of programs with open minds. Since promotion of truthful, accurate, balanced information is the prime mission of our platform, it should be clear that willful misrepresentation or falsification of  content will be considered unprofessional conduct and will carry the most severe consequences.

In the pursuit of truthful information, the producer must be sensitive to issues of fairness if the content and therefore platform is to have credibility. Truth is an elusive combination of fact and opinion, of reason and experience. We ask for the viewer’s trust. In turn, we promise that the subject matter and the people in the program will be treated fairly.

Specifically, fairness means that producers will: approach stories with an open, skeptical mind and a determination, through extensive research, to acquaint themselves with a wide range of viewpoints; try to keep personal bias and opinion from influencing their pursuit of a story; seek and carefully examine contrary information and views; exercise care in checking the accuracy and credibility of all information they receive; give individuals or entities who are the subject of attack the opportunity to respond to those attacks; represent fairly the words and actions of the people portrayed, and when appropriate seek and reflect their viewpoints even if they have not agreed to be interviewed; try to present the significant facts a viewer would need to understand what he or she is seeing, including appropriate information to frame the content; always be prepared to assist in correcting errors.

All producers must have a fact-checking procedure at the completion of the program: e.g. in long-form content, for instance, this would mean that every line of narration and each image is checked for the accuracy of any factual assertion. All producers must pay attention to the proper spelling of names and titles, correct dates, accurate translation of foreign language material, etc. Producers should be prepared to show and cite their sourcing or sources in a fact-checking document or annotated script. Producers should generally review assertions of fact given by experts, especially if any credible questions arise about their accuracy. If an expert’s assertion calls into question the character or competency of another person or entity or is otherwise possibly defamatory, then the assertion may not be accepted without verification. All factual assertions by nonexpert interviewees should also be checked.

Nothing in the fairness rules should be interpreted as preventing a producer from making point-of-view or authored content. However, such  content must be identified and labeled as such. However, given Newtonial's commitment to balance, we would encourage that alternative points of view content on the same topic be included. When there are conflicting viewpoints or opinions on subjects treated within journalistic or editorial content, fairness does not require that equal time be accorded to conflicting opinions. However, it does require the acknowledgment and responsible statement of those conflicting opinions.

When content is promotional in nature (for example in fundraising prize draws for charitable institutions), the producer of the draw content will work in collaboration with the charitable institution to develop the quiz content. The producer is expected to ensure that the content is accurate in any factual assertion, particularly where the producer is relying on the charitable institution for factual or editorial content. Any promotional material of this sort will be clearly identified as such, and will be presented in a format that clearly indicates it is not journalistic in nature.

Any producer who has a material interest — financial, family, political or other personal stake — in a subject to be covered in her/his content must make that interest known to Newtonial. It is also the producer’s responsibility to monitor any interests of those he or she may hire to carry out the project.

Where the matter under examination may place the producer or other members of her or his team in possession of information that could lead to personal gain, especially in the case of “insider” knowledge of a publicly traded company, acting on that knowledge might be considered illegal and must be avoided.

Content cannot endorse particular political candidates, parties or ballot issues. Coverage of legislation and elections is perfectly appropriate. “Equal time” requirements during election cycles may be applicable.

When working on any politically controversial programs, the producer should engage in no personal political activities, including donations or signing petitions, that would undermine her/his claim to be a trusted producer or editor. Any prior donations must be disclosed to Newtonial. The general test  is whether a producer or Newtonial executive would feel uncomfortable if private beliefs or actions were made public in the context of one’s work for Newtonial.

When working on any content for Newtonial, producers should not lobby for or against any specific piece of legislation, and must never use their relationship with Newtonial to promote or oppose specific pieces of legislation.

If, before creating content, a producer anticipates substantial reliance on the work of others, it is customary to offer credit to them or to credit their work. It may also be equitable to pay the original author as a consultant to the project. Where possible, provide live links to relevant news or other websites upon which you rely as factual or point of view resources for content.

When producing content that relies on interviews, the basic responsibility is not only to avoid manipulating an interview subject but also to avoid subjects manipulating the producing and the content. In certain circumstances, it may be appropriate to advise an interviewee of the scope and purpose of an interview. However, it is not appropriate to permit an interviewee editorial oversight or to allow rehearsed responses.

It is Newtonial's policy not to pay for interviews. However, reimbursement of reasonable expenses is permissible. A consultant or expert may be paid to contribute, but their status as a consultant or expert must be stated.

It should be the objective of the editing process to collect and order all significant facts in a manner that fairly portrays the reality. A content producer must be able to justify an editing cut as consistent and honest given the nature and import of the original materials.

Language and materials offensive to general taste or manners (e.g., extreme violence, racial and other group epithets, strong language, nudity and sexually explicit material) should be avoided where inclusion is not necessary to an understanding of the matter at hand. Where its inclusion is deemed justified, the content must carry appropriate warnings to the viewer or listener.

When an individual is invoked as an authority for a statement of fact, the producer should include in the content any special interests the source might have that would motivate the individual's position or statement.

Producers are free to exercise their editorial judgment as to which sources are best able to present the information the content seeks to deliver. However, we encourage producers to consider diversity in race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, geographic and economic status as a positive value in choosing whom to present.

Given, Newtonial's express mission to help readers understand how to interpret content in news media, if knowing the source of material used in content and/or its date would help a reader or viewer better understand a communication, attribution of the content to the source should be made at the time the material is seen.

Photos used in content should not be altered. Some techniques commonly used with stills are not considered alterations. These include: camera moves, cropping, highlighting a portion of a photo, computer layering, etc.. However, photos must never be altered to present an image that is not supported by the facts. If a viewer could reasonably believe an image created by computer-generated imaging (CGI) is real, then this technique should be avoided.

Producers in all formats should anticipate a legal as well as editorial review of their work. All producers should make themselves aware of the statutory prohibitions against payola (the practice of bribing someone in return for the unofficial promotion of a product in the media) and plugola (the incidental or unofficial promotion of a person or product in the media, sometimes in return for a payment.)

After publication, producers are expected to immediately bring to the attention of the Newtonial executive any errors that the producer becomes aware of and to help in making any necessary corrections.

When using quotes, photos or video from social networks, attribute them, ideally to the name, account or platform where you found the material. Make efforts to vet photos and videos for accuracy and authenticity and take steps to verify the legitimacy of a social account or profile.