Editorial Ethics

1. Preamble

The mission of NHA Wire is to serve the public interest by providing accurate, unbiased, and critical information. We believe that public enlightenment is the forerunner of justice and the foundation of democracy. To fulfill this mission, our journalists operate under a strict code of ethics based on four pillars: Seek Truth, Minimize Harm, Act Independently, and Be Accountable.

2. Independence & Conflicts of Interest

We guard our independence fiercely. Our loyalty is to the public, not to advertisers, shareholders, or political interests.

Financial Disclosures: NHA Wire journalists must disclose any financial interest in the companies or industries they cover. If a conflict exists, the journalist will be recused from the story.
Gifts and Favors: Staff members are prohibited from accepting gifts, free travel, accommodation, or special treatment from sources, politicians, or corporations. We pay our own way.
Political Neutrality: NHA Wire does not endorse political candidates. While our opinion columnists may express views, our news reporters must remain neutral in their public and professional lives.
Pay-for-Play: We never accept payment in exchange for news coverage. Sponsored content is strictly segregated from news content and clearly labeled.

3. Sourcing and Attribution

Paying Sources: We do not pay sources for interviews or documents. “Checkbook journalism” compromises the integrity of the information.
Anonymity: We grant anonymity only when necessary to protect a source from harm or retribution, and only when the information is vital to the public. We always strive to explain why a source is anonymous to our readers.
Plagiarism: We have zero tolerance for plagiarism. Any material not produced by NHA Wire staff must be clearly attributed to the original creator.

4. Minimizing Harm

We treat sources, subjects, and colleagues as human beings deserving of respect.

Privacy: We balance the public’s “right to know” with an individual’s right to privacy. We show special sensitivity when dealing with:
- Victims of sexual assault (who are never identified without consent).
- Minors (children).
- Inexperienced sources or those affected by tragedy.
Grief and Trauma: In breaking news situations involving death or disaster, we approach victims and families with compassion and discretion. We do not harass those in mourning.
Presumption of Innocence: In crime reporting, we are careful not to imply guilt before a verdict is reached.

5. Discrimination and Hate Speech

Fair Representation: We strive to represent the diversity of the global community. We avoid stereotyping by race, gender, age, religion, ethnicity, geography, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, or social status.
Hate Speech: We do not provide a platform for hate speech. While we report on controversial figures, we do not amplify rhetoric that incites violence or hatred against protected groups.

6. Digital Manipulation & AI

Visual Integrity: News photographs and video must present reality. We do not stage scenes or digitally manipulate images to mislead the audience.
Artificial Intelligence: We are transparent about the use of AI. We do not use AI to generate news articles without human oversight and editing. We do not use deepfake technology to mislead.

7. Accountability

Admitting Mistakes: We acknowledge our errors quickly and transparently. (See our Corrections Policy).
Public Access: We welcome questions and legitimate complaints from the public. We provide clear channels for readers to contact the newsroom.