Code of Conduct

The FactCheckNI Code of Conduct sets out the main principles of the fact checking service that we provide. All FactCheckNI personnel must read and abide by this Code of Conduct.

They must:

1. Uphold the principle of the freedom of the press, the freedom of expression, and the right to inform the public
2. Set their own opinions aside as they work to uphold principles of independence and fairness
3. Avoid the public expression of political opinion and public involvement in the political process – including, but not limited to, party political membership and  social media
4. Ensure that information is accurate, with only publicly available sources (unless this is not practical or possible, with any exceptions to be explained by the Editor)
5. Publish source links thoroughly and wherever possible
6. Correct any inaccuracies with transparency and in accordance to organisational policy
7. Use evidence when validating or refuting a specific claim, without conjecture or opinion
8. Uses his/her true identity in all dealings inside and outside the organisation when working on assignments, but under organisational policy no bylines or other means of identifying authorship will be made; a public biography will be published on the organisation’s website but not linked to an individual’s articles
9. May republish links to published FactCheckNI articles and other organisational news, but without attributing individual authorship
10. Obtains source information by honest, straightforward, and open means, without exception
11. Checks sources and appreciates that others’ material may not have been produced to exacting standards of accuracy
12. Obtains permission from copyright holders for all relevant content, whether pictures, text, or other media
13. Rejects any inducement to suppress or filter information of material significance in researching a claim
14. Declares to the Managing Director any real or potential conflict of interest, before or in the course of undertaking any assignment
15. Must not make political contributions or work on campaigns.
16. Informs the Managing Director of outside engagement and duties of possible concern, e.g. giving evidence in court, participating at public seminars or the like (whether as chair, speaker, or panelist), employment that could conflict with writing/research duties, membership or public association of a political party or social cause/movement, familial or other close personal or financial relationship in the scope of any assignment; none may disqualify, but non-disclosure is not defensible
17. Avoid doing anything that compromises FactCheckNI, or our ability to do our work with independence and fairness.