Purpose:
The purpose of this policy is to promote responsible journalism and protect public access to accurate information, without infringing upon freedom of speech or press. This policy aims to hold media accountable for intentional dissemination of false information while respecting the First Amendment rights that underpin a free and diverse press.
Scope:
This policy applies to major media organizations, including television networks, widely read newspapers, and large digital news platforms. It does not apply to opinions, editorial content, or satire.
Definitions:
- Intentional Misinformation: False information knowingly published to mislead the public or manipulate perception, with a provable intent to deceive.
- Mainstream Media: Established media outlets with significant reach across a national or international audience.
- Free Speech Protections: Fundamental rights protected by the First Amendment, including freedom of press, speech, and expression.
Policy Requirements:
- Enhanced Verification and Fact-Checking Standards
- Media organizations must establish rigorous internal standards for fact-checking, particularly on topics affecting public welfare, national security, and elections.
- These standards must be documented and transparent, ensuring that the public can trust the sources and verification processes used by these organizations.
- Transparency in Reporting and Sourcing
- News organizations are encouraged to clearly label content as “opinion” or “news,” where appropriate, and provide sufficient context for sourced information. This will help readers and viewers differentiate between verified information and perspectives.
- When using anonymous sources, media must explain the reason for anonymity and provide context on the source’s credibility, as long as it does not endanger the source.
- Voluntary Industry Standards and Peer Review
- Media organizations are encouraged to adopt voluntary, industry-wide guidelines for responsible reporting that address intentional misinformation while protecting free expression.
- The policy establishes an independent industry panel to oversee these guidelines, serving as a peer-review body rather than a government entity to avoid any conflicts with First Amendment rights.
- Public Correction Procedures
- If an unintentional error occurs, media outlets are encouraged to issue a clear, public correction with similar visibility to the original article or broadcast.
- In the rare cases where intentional misinformation is verified by independent review, a public retraction and explanation of the error’s cause must be issued, helping to restore public trust without limiting the outlet’s ability to operate freely.
- Focus on Media Literacy and Education
- The policy encourages initiatives that improve media literacy among the public, helping citizens understand how to assess the reliability of information. Education can empower individuals to distinguish between credible journalism and potential misinformation without limiting access to varied viewpoints.
First Amendment Safeguards:
This policy is crafted with strict adherence to the First Amendment. It does not empower the government to restrict or censor speech, nor does it penalize opinions, editorials, or other forms of protected expression. Enforcement of responsible practices in journalism is voluntary and peer-led to avoid any direct governmental control over media.
Implementation and Review
- An independent, non-governmental body of media professionals, legal experts, and public policy advisors will annually review this policy’s effectiveness and make recommendations to adapt it as necessary to changing media landscapes.
- This group will act solely as a forum for guidance, not as an enforcement agency, to ensure full respect for the First Amendment rights of the press.
Conclusion:
This policy seeks to balance free speech protections with the public’s need for accurate information. It aims to foster greater trust in media through voluntary standards and transparency, upholding the integrity of journalism without infringing upon freedom of the press or restricting diverse viewpoints.