Oštro’s Code of Conduct
Introduction
Oštro.si is an online media published by the non-profit organisation Oštro, a center for investigative journalism in the Adriatic region. Oštro nurtures investigative and data journalism, champions the “right to know” as one of the fundamental human rights, and contributes to the cultivation of future generations of journalists.
The editorial office of Oštro.si is committed to upholding professional principles as set out in the Code of Slovene Association of Journalists, the Charter of Munich and IFCN code of principles.
With a view to develop quality journalism and to advance the key principles of non-profit media, we decided to adopt Oštro’s Code of Conduct that contains key principles, guidelines and rules pertaining to journalistic work at Oštro.si.
A long-standing focus of media on profit has cut back the finances of editorial offices, decimated their staff, ran down countless promising journalists and other creators of media content, and, above all, lead to a steep decline in professional and ethical standards. The public’s right to be informed has been compromised, which was also spurred by the growing industry of misinformation and fake news.
The goal of this industry is, among other things, to obliterate a democratic public discussion and also, indirectly, to devalue journalism as a profession and the media outlets as the sources of credible information. We are convinced that we can resist this industry only by forming a new alliance between the media and the public, an alliance founded on an open and mutually-respectful relationship.
In our desire to contribute to strengthening professional and ethical standards, as well as to inform the public about the principles of our work, we adopted the Code of Conduct outlined below.
I. Fundamental Principles
Oštro researches topics in the public interest and examines the authenticity of information in the media that the public should be informed about.
Oštro is a nonpartisan organization committed to professional journalistic standards. Oštro and its reporters do not get involved in advocacy, political activities, public relations and similar activities that could pose a threat, real or perceived, to Oštro’s nonpartisan and independent status as inscribed in Oštro’s establishment act.
Oštro has zero tolerance towards anyone who would attempt to influence the work of its editor in chief, editors or journalists, or who would try to thwart their work.
Oštro’s work is open to the public and transparent. Oštro regularly publishes data on its financing and, in a timely manner, informs the public about editorial decisions, professional errors and other issues that are important for the integrity of its editorial staff.
Oštro does not publish unverified information and its journalists respect the agreements with their sources. Findings of the editorial staff are based on primary sources, such as official documents and data, as well as other traceable and credible evidence, accounts of several sources and relevant experts. If, after the publication, the editorial office finds that the published information was unreliable, erroneous or inaccurate, it amends the relevant text with an explanation in the shortest possible time.
Oštro discloses actual and perceived conflicts of interests of its editor in chief, editors, journalists and external contributors. Every member of the editorial staff must inform the editorial office of any actual or perceived conflict of interest as soon as such competing interests become apparent or no later than in 24 hours. The editorial staff excludes this member from the relevant work process.
Oštro respects the right to privacy of every individual, also of public figures, unless pertinent information is in the legitimate public interest and the disclosure of such information is necessary to comprehensively inform the public.
Oštro respects the right to equal treatment. It does not endorse in any way whatsoever stereotypes, prejudices or insults towards individuals or a group of individuals, unless this might be necessary to comprehensively inform the public about the work and conduct of public office holders and other public officials.
II. Sources of Information
Oštro protects the identity of its sources. It uses unnamed sourcing in investigative stories only when these sources have justifiable reasons to remain anonymous. Journalists explain these reasons to the public and use the information acquired in such manner only to outline the background and according to the agreement with the source.
Oštro respects its agreements with information sources, paying special attention to the sources who are not used to collaborating with journalists or to being publicly exposed. The members of editorial staff and external contributors should warn such sources of possible issues involved in the disclosure of information and, if required, provide advice on how to protect themselves.
Whenever possible, Oštro uses primary sources, such as official data and statistics, publications and viewpoints of institutions, opinions of experts or knowledgeable persons with verifiable professional references, researches or analyses of institutions or individuals with verifiable professional references, laws and other regulations, databases of national, regional or international institutions, contracts, payment documents, business reports and data, bankruptcy documents, denouncements, indictments and other documents and databases available to Oštro’s journalists.
Oštro guarantees the authenticity of published content by fact-checking it internally before publication.
In their work, Oštro’s journalists and editors use tools for the encryption of communication, work folders and documents, disks and memory devices, virtual private networks and other tools that are necessary to maintain the highest possible integrity and security of journalistic work and to protect the identity of sources.
Oštro is aware of the advantages as well as the pitfalls of the digital environment, therefore it enables the sources – provided they follow the safety instructions – a safe and anonymous submission of information in the public interest via its portal Žvižgač.si (whistleblower). Whenever possible, the members of the editorial staff first independently verify the authenticity of information, data or documents acquired in this manner, and then deliberate if their investigation is in the public interest.
Oštro respects copyrights and members of the editorial staff reliably and correctly attribute the statements and opinions to individuals. No journalistic stories may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without prior consent of the responsible editor.
III. Corrections and Updates
In accordance with the Mass Media Act, Oštro publishes any update, correction, citation or presentation of other or contrary facts and circumstances in a clear and transparent manner. Each such publication is clearly marked as an “update”, “correction” or, alternatively, with the indication “presentation of contrary facts” and accompanied with the date of publication.
IV. Alliance with the Public
Oštro nurtures a reciprocal, respectable and inclusive relationship with its readers. It encourages the public to assume a proactive social stance and to act for the welfare of the community.
Oštro does not enable the commenting of journalistic stories and does not count “likes”, but rather engages in a productive exchange with representatives of the public. It encourages them to submit information in the public interest and warnings regarding possible misinformation circulating among the public.
Oštro replies to constructive criticism, comments and suggestions of members, readers and the general public.
V. Non-profit operations
Oštro is financed from contributions or donations from natural and legal persons and through tenders of non-governmental organisations and philanthropic foundations.
Oštro does not publish advertisements at Oštro.si portal or other portals.
Oštro publishes data on its financing at least once a year.
The Code was last updated on July 7, 2022.