Editorial

General principle
This document offers a dynamic framework to support OneWorld editors and contributors in meeting the aims and strengthening the mission of OneWorld. As such, this document intends to guide OneWorld editors and contributors in raising awareness, stimulating debate, and encouraging participation on human rights and sustainable development issues.

This document is open to an ongoing dialogue with our stakeholders (users, partners, donors, and especially the world's poorest and most marginalized, whose voices we seek to amplify) to whom we hold ourselves accountable. OneWorld will therefore seek to develop mechanisms to measure our impact from the point of view of our stakeholders.

Editorial independence
OneWorld is independent of any government, political, religious and commercial interests, and from any particular viewpoint from within civil society. We accept funding only on condition that it does not jeopardize that editorial independence.

Fairness and impartiality
OneWorld content is based on our belief in the fundamental importance of human rights and sustainable development. Our content is selected to help paint the broadest possible picture of global realities. We seek to bring together in our content diverse perspectives and to include sources, voices and views too often ignored. In particular we work to include the voices of those at the front line of development - the poorest and most marginalized, and those that work directly with them.

OneWorld has, and continues to build, a unique global network of online partners, representing a wide range of opinions (often expressed in terms of highly focused advocacy and campaigns) and also news from independent media sources, from which we distill OneWorld content.

We aim for transparency in all of our content. OneWorld indicates clearly the source of material presented as news, and the identity of those who produce opinion and analysis.
Accuracy and honesty

OneWorld strives to meet maximum standards of factual accuracy in its content. Where material is selected from partner websites for highlighting by OneWorld, it is accepted as having been offered in good faith as factually accurate.

Further to this, OneWorld believes that facts alone are not sufficient to tell a story. Thus we always seek to present content within a broader context.

OneWorld's distinctive agenda
Selection of material for publication will reflect our core mission and values. OneWorld selects such material that focuses on sustainable development and human rights, as broadly defined to include a range of topics, frequently ignored by mainstream media. OneWorld will report ongoing processes as well as events, and structural injustice as well as crises.

Respect for people and cultures
OneWorld seeks a diverse global audience and will portray a full and fair view of peoples and cultures worldwide. Wherever possible, OneWorld works to provide a means for people to access and contribute information in their own language.

Representation
OneWorld recognises that the choice of vocabulary and context, as well as conventional representations of fact and opinion, affect the way in which issues are communicated. OneWorld seeks to respect its partners' original source material by offering users an honest and accurate account, and ensuring that the use of language celebrates diversity.

Reporting vs. opinion
OneWorld seeks to portray diverse views and opinions, but does not endorse all the views of the partners whose material it publishes. When the core of a story is the purely personal opinion of the author and is intended to promote only one side of an argument, the story will be clearly labelled as opinion.

OneWorld as an organisation may adopt or facilitate a position, or become involved in a campaign, based on the process of agreement as upheld by the OneWorld Board of Trustees. Any such decisions will be made explicit.

Corrections policy
When OneWorld recognises that it has published false or misleading information, it will publish corrections on the OneWorld site with due prominence, and bring it to the attention of the originator of the material.

Right to reply
OneWorld welcomes comment/feedback of our content and alternative points of view. Whenever possible we will publish replies on the OneWorld website, particularly by anyone who feels they have been unjustly represented.

Privacy
In reporting on named individuals OneWorld recognises that every person (whether poor or rich) has the right to privacy and freedom from intrusion, although OneWorld acknowledges that the privacy of those in public life may be reduced by their public role.

Personal information gathered on the OneWorld website will be shared only in cases where individuals give their explicit consent.
OneWorld uses cookies to allow enhanced features, such as personalization. Users can opt out of these cookies at any time.

Moderation
We will not publish user-generated material that violates the values for which OneWorld stands. When content contravenes house rules, as published on the site, it will be removed with e-mail notification to the poster.

Protection of sources
As a rule, OneWorld publicly identifies its sources of information. However, in the case of original material produced by OneWorld, sources who wish to remain anonymous (for reasons of personal security, for example) will be not be disclosed by OneWorld, except as a last resort on order by an appropriate court and agreement by the OneWorld International Foundation Board of Trustees.

Defamation
OneWorld respects and protects the freedom to hold and voice opinions. Such opinions must be a matter of public interest, honestly held and without malice. In the case of information reported as fact, OneWorld will publish truthful accounts, and use appropriate forms of language, to protect against threats of defamation. Editors will check with OneWorld lawyers in the case of any doubt.

Copyright
We respect copyright in all forms of media. In case of accidental infringement we will take action as soon as a case is brought to our attention.
Press release embargoes

OneWorld respects embargoes in all material issued to the press, to the extent that they are respected by other media.
Respect for standards of taste and decency

OneWorld recognises that standards of taste and decency vary widely between peoples and cultures. Therefore OneWorld will seek out all means possible to ensure these differences are taken into account when publishing OneWorld content.

Advertising and sponsorship
OneWorld will not accept advertising, sponsorship or promotion that contravenes its general editorial policies and underlying values.
Conflict of interest

Personal involvement of OneWorld journalists (for example, through shares, membership of organisations or political parties) will always be disclosed where it might be thought to compromise editorial integrity. OneWorld will work towards complete transparency of all relations between OneWorld content and its sources.

Picture policy
OneWorld takes care not to wilfully misrepresent the subjects and objects portrayed in the images used on its site. Captions and attributions should always be fair and accurate. Digital manipulation will only be used to enhance a photograph (i.e. to clarify, not change, its meaning).

Stereotypical images and the "pornography of poverty" should be avoided. When possible, individuals depicted should be named and placed in context.

OneWorld is in the process of developing a comprehensive Picture Policy.

Video policy
As with still images, OneWorld will take care not to willfully misrepresent the subjects and objects portrayed in the video used on its site. OneWorld will acquire written (online) consent and copyright agreement to broadcast video footage. Every video clip will be credited to the producer and source. When several clips are presented as a coherent storyline, the authorship of the storyline will be clearly identified. As with still images, individuals depicted should be named and placed in context, where possible.

OneWorld is in the process of developing a comprehensive Video Policy.

Audio policy
OneWorld will take care that the subjects and objects portrayed in the audio used on its site are not willfully misrepresented. OneWorld will acquire written (online) consent and copyright agreement to broadcast audio footage, and require guarantee that the audio used through its audio-exchange programmes is free to share for all OneWorld audio-exchange members. Every audio clip will be credited to the producer and source.

OneWorld is in the process of developing a comprehensive Audio Policy.

Accountability
OneWorld holds itself accountable to many stakeholders (users, partners, donors) for the effectiveness of its communications, and for the achievement of its main aim - to make a difference in the lives of the world's poorest and most marginalized citizens, whose interests are too often ignored.

These OneWorld Editorial Standards were presented to the OneWorld International Foundation Board of Trustees on 1 November 2001.