Ethics Policy
At The Black Examiner, our journalism is guided by a single motto:Β “Publicizing The Public.”Β That commitment only means something if it is backed by a clear code of conduct. This Ethics Policy sets out the standards every journalist, editor, columnist, and contributor working under The Black Examiner banner is expected to uphold β in the newsroom, in the field, and online.
1. Truth and Accuracy Our first obligation is to the truth. We verify information before publishing it, distinguish between confirmed fact and unconfirmed claim, and never knowingly publish false or misleading content. Where we cannot independently verify a claim, we say so.
2. Independence Our journalists do not accept gifts, favours, payments, or promises from sources, advertisers, politicians, or any party that could reasonably be seen to influence coverage. Editorial decisions are made in the newsroom, based on newsworthiness and public interest β not by advertisers, political actors, or commercial partners.
3. Conflicts of Interest Staff and contributors must disclose any personal, financial, political, or family interest that could compromise β or appear to compromise β their objectivity on a story. Where a conflict exists, the journalist is reassigned from that story or the conflict is disclosed transparently to readers.
4. Fairness and Minimising Harm We treat the people we report on and report for with respect. This means seeking comment from those criticised or accused before publication, avoiding sensationalism, being especially careful in coverage involving children, victims of crime, trauma survivors, and vulnerable communities, and thinking through the real-world consequences of what we publish.
5. Protection of Sources Where a source is granted confidentiality, we protect their identity, including from internal pressure, legal threats, or requests from third parties. Anonymity is used sparingly and only when a story cannot otherwise be told safely or at all.
6. Plagiarism and Attribution All work published under The Black Examiner name must be original or properly attributed. We do not copy the work of other journalists or outlets without credit, and we do not present others’ reporting as our own.
7. Respect for Privacy We respect individual privacy and only intrude upon it where there is a clear and demonstrable public interest β for example, exposing corruption, abuse of office, or wrongdoing. Private citizens are given a higher degree of privacy protection than public officials acting in their official capacity.
8. Social Media Conduct Journalists identified with The Black Examiner are expected to conduct themselves professionally on personal social media accounts, avoiding partisan commentary or conduct that would call the outlet’s impartiality into question.
9. Accountability When we get something wrong, we correct it β clearly, promptly, and publicly, in line with our Corrections Policy. Readers can raise ethical concerns about our coverage directly with our editorial team at [ethics@examiner.co.ug].
10. Enforcement Breaches of this Ethics Policy by staff or contributors are treated seriously and may result in corrective action, including retraining, suspension, or termination of the working relationship, depending on severity.
This policy is reviewed periodically to reflect evolving standards in Ugandan and international journalism. Last updated:Β [2026].