The Greensboro News & Record's Code of Ethics

...Excellence cannot flourish without criticism.

We need criticism and should seek it.

Frank Batten
Former Chairman of Landmark Communications

CODE OF ETHICS AND PROFESSIONALISM
LANDMARK NEWSPAPERS

"The independence of our editors, reporters and photographers
is not for sale...."

Frank Batten
Former Chairman of Landmark Communications

...To ensure that our credibility is not damaged,
staff members have a special responsibility to avoid conflicts of interest
or any activity that would compromise their journalistic integrity.

...staff members should not cover or make news decisions about groups they belong to.

Our editorials should exhibit vigor and courage,
always respectful of contrary opinion,
never tailored to the whims of the editor or publisher.

Frank Batten
Former Chairman of Landmark Communications

* Paid or volunteer public relations work
for any organization whose operations are covered by the newspaper
is discouraged and must be approved
by the department head, managing editor or editor.

Our news reports should never be influenced
by the private interests of the owners
or of any other group.

Frank Batten
Former Chairman of Landmark Communications

* Membership on boards of charitable or cultural organizations
that are covered by our newspaper -- the SPCA, United Way, theater groups, etc.
must be approved by the managing editor or editor.

Lacking trust,
a newspaper cannot serve or advance any worthy purpose.

Frank Batten
Former Chairman of Landmark Communications

* It is inappropriate for staff members
to appear publicly on behalf of a civic group or themselves.

Our editorials should exhibit vigor and courage,
always respectful of contrary opinion,
never tailored to the whims of the editor or publisher.

Frank Batten
Former Chairman of Landmark Communications

Guiding questions

* Could your action, comments, donation or display
cause people to reasonably doubt your objectivity or that of the newspaper?

...We must never pander to passions or forget for a moment
the power of the printed word to do wrong as well as to right wrong.

Frank Batten
Former Chairman of Landmark Communications

* Could it be construed that the newspaper and its staff
are giving special treatment to the group?

* Does your public role intersect with your work?

Our editorials should exhibit vigor and courage,
always respectful of contrary opinion,
never tailored to the whims of the editor or publisher.

Frank Batten
Former Chairman of Landmark Communications

* Staff members may not have financial investments in companies they cover.

Our news reports should never be influenced
by the private interests of the owners
or of any other group.

Frank Batten
Former Chairman of Landmark Communications

Employees must never become obligated to news sources,
advertisers, suppliers or any person or organization by receiving gifts or favors.

* We do not accept free or discounted trips,
dinners, entertainment, gifts or admission to events.

Our editorials should exhibit vigor and courage,
always respectful of contrary opinion,
never tailored to the whims of the editor or publisher.

Frank Batten
Former Chairman of Landmark Communications

* Employees must not use their position on the newspaper staff
in private business matters.

* Employees may not use their news sources
to obtain tickets to entertainment events or parking passes for personal use.

Our news reports should never be influenced
by the private interests of the owners
or of any other group.

Frank Batten
Former Chairman of Landmark Communications

We report stories involving the News & Record,
Landmark Communications and its executives as rigorously as any other.

* Report all sides of a story.

We are upfront with readers about what we don't know
and about evidence that contradicts the main finding of a news story.

* Have we given accused persons a chance to defend themselves?

We need criticism and should seek it.

Lacking trust,
a newspaper cannot serve or advance any worthy purpose...

Frank Batten
Former Chairman of Landmark Communications

We expect every staff member to respond to every communication from a reader,
whether a letter, phone call or e-mail, whether a compliment or complaint.

To be trusted, we have to be seen as decent, caring and courteous people.

That means listening, acknowledging when we’re wrong
and taking action to correct our mistakes.

CODE OF ETHICS AND PROFESSIONALISM
LANDMARK NEWSPAPERS