JS&IP Section 1
Our Mission & Values
Our Mission
To deliver news, stories, and information that are honest, fact based, and in the public interest. We seek to help our readers understand the issues, make informed decisions on the issues, and express their opinions on the issues.
To remain fiercely independent and to never bow to pressure in any form, especially financial, legal, personal, or political. The truth, the public interest, the freedom of the press and the right to free expression guide and influence all of our decision making.
To be responsive and responsible when we make errors. If we make mistakes, we own them. We admit them, we discuss them openly in the hopes of learning how to prevent them, and we apologize to those affected before being asked or forced.
To never plagiarize. We always attribute anything that is not our own to its rightful speaker, writer, creator, or owner. We do not use Artificial Intelligence. We do not use Copyrighted material outside of the Fair Use provisions. We do not use reenactments.
To always remain open to expanding to new media, mediums, platforms and markets.
To grow from a volunteer run initiative to be commercially viable and provide jobs and benefits to our volunteers.
Core Values
Our core values are accuracy, integrity, decency, balance, and independence.
Accuracy is paramount. Facts matter and it’s our job to find them, confirm them, and present them. The rush to tell the story first is never as important as telling the story accurately.
Integrity builds trust. We follow best practices, the law, and our JS&IP. We take steps to protect ourselves from conflicts of interest both real and perceived. Our ability to gather and disseminate news relies on our credibility and reputation, and we act in a way that protects both.
Decency builds connections. We engage respectfully with the public, sources, subjects, our audience and others. When our position requires us to ask hard questions, we shall do so in a respectful manner. We do not advance the questions, theories, opinions, or voices of individuals or groups or causes that support violence, hatred, or criminal acts that involve victims.
Balance ensures our stories are fair. When able we always offer subjects a reasonable right of reply. Stories should always be fair and balanced, with representation from more than one side of an issue when possible. We also balance the public’s interest in knowing a story, vs the negative impact of sharing the story.
Independence is what allows us to fearlessly tell our stories. We take great steps to avoid the appearance of partiality. We are not a member of any trade group, lobby group, political party or business interests other than our own. All our News and Opinion content is published by the News Director, without fear, pressure or persuasion.