Integrity, fairness, independence and thoughtfulness are the foundation of the St. Louis Beacon. Everything we do should reflect these bedrock values. This document can't possibly answer all questions we will encounter about ethics, sources and other difficult issues. But it does identify key principles to apply when deciding what to do.

These include:

• Conduct yourself — on and off the job — in ways that enhance the Beacon's credibility and character.
• Avoid financial arrangements and other activities that will create a conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict for the Beacon.
• Raise and discuss potential problems of any kind in advance whenever possible, including questions about ethics, sources and coverage.
• Gather facts and think through issues and options from many points of view before deciding what course is wisest.

The following standards are drawn in part from the guidelines and experience of other organizations, including the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and the Poynter Institute. Exceptions to these policies must be approved by a senior editor.

Sources and Attribution

We seek to publish content that is accurate and fair. That responsibility extends beyond quoting sources accurately. We must also strive to determine whether the information itself is correct. And we must be forthright in giving site users the information they need to evaluate the credibility of sources.

Here are some ways to achieve these goals:

• Do original reporting, use primary sources and rely on multiple sources whenever possible.
• Strive to use on-the-record sources and quotes. For use of unnamed sources, see guidelines below.
• Use common sense and instinct to help spot unreliable information. When in doubt, check it out or leave it out. Make sure Internet sources are reliable and email communication is genuine.
• Be forthright in explaining where information came from. Give credit if it originated with another source. Never imply you were present or interviewed someone if that did not happen.

Special Arrangements with Sources

An agreement you make with a source amounts to a contract that may impose obligations on the Beacon as a whole. Think carefully before you agree to any special arrangement, including one to keep a source's name confidential. When possible, discuss the implications in advance with an editor.

It's sometimes possible to conduct an interview with a source who wishes to remain confidential, then ask later for permission to put certain parts of the interview on the record. It's also wise to ask confidential sources if they are willing to be identified in case of legal action against the Beacon.

As with on-the-record reporting, use multiple sources and check facts independently whenever possible. Describe the unnamed source as precisely as possible in the story while maintaining confidentiality.

Keep in mind that some sources are used to dealing with journalists and others are not. Make sure there is no confusion about any arrangement you make with a source, including what material is not for attribution.

Publish material from confidential sources only when the following four criteria have been met:

1. The information is important.
2. It cannot be obtained on the record.
3. The source is credible.
4. There is a legitimate reason for confidentiality.

An editor must determine whether these criteria have been met. The editor normally will know the name of the source and will be under the same obligation as the reporter to keep it confidential.

Coverage

Plagiarism and fabrication

Never pass off another person's work as your own. Give credit and pay attention to copyright laws when using material from other sources. Do not create composite characters or invent quotes. When reconstructing narratives, take care to assure the accuracy of recollections and to explain the source of information. Similarly, photos and videos should not be altered or staged to create images that are misleading to readers.

Identifying yourself

Don't mislead people about who you are. Normally, when dealing with individuals, you should make clear that you are working as a journalist and gathering information for publication. However, in public settings or certain large gatherings, you may observe without announcing your role. The Beacon does not normally operate undercover, and any activity of this nature needs to be approved in advance by the Editor.

Sharing work before publication

The Beacon decides what to run and does not authorize others to make changes. At the same time, we encourage re-checking material with sources to ensure accuracy. When doing so, staff members should normally share only relevant parts of the work, not the entire work. Staff members will hear sensitive information from colleagues about work in progress and normally should not share it outside the organization.

Conflicts of Interest

Normal activities — outside work, investments, political activism — pose special problems for journalists. Often, it's best to avoid activities that might interfere with your ability to function as a journalist. Alternatively, you may be precluded from working on certain topics for the Beacon if you're personally involved. A third alternative is public disclosure of any information that a site user might find relevant in understanding the content. For example, someone who is writing about a relative would need to disclose the relationship. A guest contributor writing about politics would need to disclose if he is associated with a candidate. Full disclosure of relevant information is standard practice for the Beacon — a necessary step but not always sufficient when a potential conflict of interest exists.

Money and gifts

Avoid financial conflicts of interest with organizations you regularly cover. You should not own stock directly in, work for or receive other economic benefits from a company you regularly report on or make news decisions about. Do not seek or accept personal favors or preferential treatment from sources and organizations. Do not invoke the Beacon's name when handling personal business or problems.

Disclose, discuss with an editor and resolve any situations that might raise questions about the Beacon's integrity and independence. Potentially troublesome areas include outside employment and other entanglements, acceptance of certain awards, paid speaking engagements, donation of your services, freelance work and participation in ads and endorsements. Decline gifts of more than token value. Pay for your own meals rather than accepting payment by a source unless circumstances make this impractical. Similarly, you should not normally accept free travel.

You may accept free admission, if offered, to an event related to your work, such as a movie, performance or political gathering. Books, music and other promotional products you receive for review may be used for that purpose and kept, but they may not be sold for personal gain.

Coverage decisions should be made without regard to availability of free admission or materials. Coverage decisions should be based on news considerations, with no preferential treatment for donors, advertisers and others with whom the Beacon has organizational ties. Sources will not be paid for interviews or information.

Family and friends

You should not cover or make news judgments about family members, close friends or organizations in which you or close family members have a leadership role or financial interest. You should not hire, directly supervise or approve payments to a close family member or someone with whom you have a close personal relationship.

Organizations and politics

You have a right to speak out and join organizations. But if you or a close relative are involved in certain activities — especially controversial ones that attract news coverage — you will normally be precluded from participating in the Beacon's coverage or related decisions.

You are strongly urged to avoid activities that will raise questions about the Beacon's integrity and fairness. Involvement in neighborhood, religious, school and professional organizations rarely leads to problems. Other activities are likely to raise controversy and you are urged to refrain. These include running for office, donating to candidates or political causes, participating in demonstrations, signing petitions, displaying yard signs or bumper stickers and wearing pins or shirts which express political viewpoints.

Personal blogs

Remember that personal blogs and other online communications are not private. What you include will potentially reflect on the Beacon's credibility. The public and the Beacon will hold you accountable, so discuss any potentially troublesome posting in advance with an editor.