At Wat-not, we are committed to upholding the highest standards of journalism. Our Code of Ethics outlines the principles and guidelines that govern our work, ensuring integrity, fairness, and accountability in everything we do. This code is inspired by global best practices in responsible digital publishing and is designed to uphold our commitment to editorial independence and journalistic integrity.
General Principles
Accuracy, Transparency & Fairness: We strive to ensure the accuracy of the information we publish. Pre-publication verification is mandatory to avoid inaccuracies, baseless claims, or distorted material. Defamation must be avoided at all costs. We commit to transparency in our reporting and adhere to applicable laws and regulations in the jurisdictions we serve.
Independence: We maintain complete editorial and content independence, free from external influences. Our journalism is not swayed by advertisers, sponsors, or any other external parties.
Accountability: We are accountable to our readers and welcome constructive feedback. Errors are corrected promptly and transparently.
Respect for Privacy: We respect the privacy of individuals and avoid unwarranted intrusion. Personal data is handled responsibly, in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
Intellectual Property: We respect intellectual property rights and ensure that any use of copyrighted material is done with proper permission and attribution. Trademarks and service marks of third parties are not used without prior permission unless it constitutes fair use.
Reporting Standards
Right of Reply: News reports and articles should include comments or responses from the person or party about whom allegations are made. If their response is received later, it should be incorporated appropriately. If developments occur in a news story, and the concerned person or party requests an update, it must be carried out with the update date clearly indicated.
Corrections and Updates: If a news report or article is found to contain false or inaccurate information, it will be edited or deleted upon request by the concerned person or party who provides correct information and identification. Entire articles found to be inaccurate will be deleted.
Sensational Matters and Crime Reporting: We exercise care in reporting sensational matters and crime, ensuring the presumption of innocence. Comments and speculation on evidence, witnesses, the accused, and victims are avoided. Reporting is fact-based and unbiased. Special care is taken in reporting cases of sexual harassment, child abuse, rape, and other sensitive matters. Names and identifying details of victims and minors are strictly avoided.
Communal and Religious Disputes: We ensure that news items related to communal or religious disputes are published only after proper verification of facts. Such news is presented with caution and restraint to promote communal harmony and peace.
Judicial Matters: We ensure accurate reporting of court hearings and judicial matters, covering both the victim’s and the accused’s versions without comments.
Privacy: We respect the privacy of individuals, especially those not in public life. Names and details that could identify victims or perpetrators in sensitive cases are avoided. Photographs of victims and their locations are not published.
Legal Compliance: We adhere to the legal frameworks of the countries we operate in, including data protection regulations such as the GDPR in the European Union and CCPA in California. Our reporting complies with applicable international and local laws.
Grievance Redressal Mechanism: We follow robust grievance redressal mechanisms to address complaints promptly. We appoint a grievance officer whose contact details are displayed on the website. The officer acts within 36 hours of receiving a complaint and addresses it within one month.
Training and Awareness Programs: We conduct periodic training and awareness programs for our editorial staff about existing laws, including international media laws, data protection regulations, and provisions related to sensitive reporting topics. Special care is taken to avoid identifying victims or perpetrators in sensitive cases and to promote communal harmony and unbiased reporting of judicial matters.
Global Standards
We align our practices with global standards of journalism, ensuring our content meets the expectations of our diverse and international audience. We are committed to inclusivity and diversity in our reporting, ensuring a wide range of perspectives are represented. By adhering to these principles, we aim to maintain the trust and respect of our global audience and continue providing reliable and trustworthy news.
For more information, please visit our About Us, Contact Us, and Privacy Policy pages.