Mission Statement

Homer Folk School is dedicated to providing accurate, fair, and impactful journalism that informs and empowers our audience. Our mission is to uphold the principles of truth, transparency, and accountability, serving as a trusted source of news that reflects the diverse experiences of our global community.

Core Principles

Our journalism is guided by the following principles, inspired by industry standards such as the Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics:

1. Seek Truth and Report It

• Accuracy and Verification: We strive to report facts accurately, verifying information with primary sources whenever possible. We correct errors promptly and transparently, with clear acknowledgments published at the end of the relevant article.

• Context and Fairness: We provide comprehensive context to ensure stories are not oversimplified or misrepresented. We seek diverse perspectives to present a balanced view of events and issues.

• Source Transparency: We identify sources clearly, attributing information to its origin. Anonymity is granted only when necessary to protect sources from harm, and we explain the rationale for anonymity to our audience.

• Avoiding Bias: We challenge our own assumptions and biases, ensuring that personal perspectives do not unduly influence our reporting. Opinion pieces are clearly labeled to distinguish them from news reporting.

2. Minimize Harm

• Respect for Individuals: We treat sources, subjects, and colleagues with respect, showing sensitivity when covering vulnerable groups, such as minors, victims of crime, or those unable to give consent.

• Balancing Public Interest: We weigh the public’s need for information against potential harm, withholding details that could endanger individuals or communities unless the public interest outweighs the risk.

• Avoiding Stereotypes: We avoid discriminatory references based on race, gender, age, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, or socioeconomic status, ensuring our reporting reflects the diversity of human experiences.

3. Act Independently

• Avoiding Conflicts of Interest: We avoid financial, political, or personal conflicts that could compromise our credibility. Any unavoidable conflicts are disclosed transparently to our audience.

• Refusing Gifts or Favors: We do not accept gifts, favors, or compensation that could influence our reporting. Sponsored content is clearly labeled to distinguish it from editorial content.

• Editorial Independence: We resist external pressures from advertisers, donors, or other stakeholders to influence our coverage. Editorial decisions are made solely in the interest of serving our audience.

4. Be Accountable and Transparent

• Corrections and Clarifications: We acknowledge and correct errors promptly, publishing corrections at the end of the article with a clear explanation of the mistake and the corrected information.

• Engaging with the Public: We encourage audience feedback and respond to questions about our reporting practices. Contact us at [[email protected]] for inquiries, tips, or concerns.

• Transparency in Processes: We explain our journalistic processes, such as source selection and fact-checking, to build trust with our audience. Our policies are publicly available on our website.

Ethical Guidelines for Specific Situations

• Fact-Checking: All stories undergo rigorous fact-checking, cross-referencing multiple credible sources. We do not publish unverified information unless clearly labeled as such (e.g., breaking news updates).

• Use of AI: Any use of AI-generated content is discussed with editors and clearly disclosed to the audience. AI is used only as a tool to support reporting, not to replace original journalism.

• Social Media: Journalists maintain professionalism on social media, avoiding posts that could undermine our impartiality or credibility. Opinion journalists are exempt when posting as part of their role.

• Plagiarism and Attribution: We do not plagiarize and always credit other publications for exclusive stories or content we reference. All external content is fully attributed.

Accountability

We hold ourselves to the same high standards we expect of others. If you believe we have violated our ethical standards, please contact us at [[email protected]]. We investigate all complaints thoroughly and take appropriate action, including issuing corrections or retractions if necessary.