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Members of the Associated Church Press hold diverse views, and they perform diverse functions in the communities that they serve. Nevertheless, they share a commitment to these moral and journalistic principles:

(1) Since the fundamental principle of journalism is to speak the truth, policies governing news reporting, commentary, promotion, and circulation should observe these requirements: (a) accuracy; (b) sufficient explanation of important matters, as needed; and the disclosure of all possible information of relevance; (c) fairness—the avoidance of half-truth, distortion, uncorroborated evidence, questionable implication, and sensationalism; (d) identification of conjectures as such; and (e) separation of fact from opinion or explicit identification of them as determined in a specific case.

(2) Editors and journalists must be accurate, fair, and objective in reporting the news, and should avoid misrepresentation of someone’s views, particularly if opposed to those of the writer or publication. Important substantive errors must be corrected in its next issue.

(3) The religious press should take the initiative in publishing news and in interpretive and investigative reporting. In investigative reporting sources should be revealed where possible, and reasons should be given for any concealment or lack of identification.

(4) An individual’s right to privacy should be compromised only in a clear case of the readers’ right to know.

(5) The religious press will not publish statements damaging an individual’s reputation unless the facts behind such statements have been verified, and unless such statements are vital to the story. The persons about whom such statements are made must be given an appropriate opportunity to respond.

(6) The religious press will not publish statements which constitute personal attacks or which appeal to prejudice.

(7) The religious press, its editors and reporters, will defend freedom of the press wherever it is endangered.

(8) The religious press endorses vigorous expression of opinion through published reactions, alternative views, and criticisms whether in letters-to-the-editor or opinion pieces.

(9) Members of the religious press shall not serve on committees, commissions, or agencies or accept assignments or remuneration from persons or groups which place them in positions of conflict of interest. As a general rule, a religious journalist should not report on the activities of an agency for which he or she serves. Any potential conflict of interest must be disclosed fully.

 

The Associated Church Press recommends these practices as standards of professional performance for member publications.

(1) Advertising shall be distinct from editorial content in format.

(2) Regarding contributors: (a) non-staff contributors shall be notified promptly of acceptance or rejection of an article. Policies governing payment and related matters shall be clearly articulated and consistently applied; (b) religious publications must guard the rights of contributors to protect their works from unauthorized use, and to obtain fair compensation and/or proper credit; (c) substantial parts of any person’s work must not be published without his or her specific consent; (d) material shall be edited responsibly, and not changed significantly, in either substance or intent, without the author’s consent; and (e) copyright laws and contracts must be observed scrupulously.

(3) Employees shall be entitled to fair compensation, security when their professional performance is acceptable, and reasonable notice and severance when it is not. The employee has a right to expect the employer to have a specific policy related to termination and to follow it consistently.

(4) Opportunities for professional growth and continuing education for staff members shall be encouraged, and training internships shall be established if possible.

(5) Professional contact with colleagues in press associations on this continent and throughout the world shall be encouraged.