The Jersey Vindicator’s journalism must be guided solely by the public interest. Readers should be confident that our reporting is based on evidence, fairness, and independent editorial judgment, not on the personal, financial, political, or professional interests of our staff, board members, or contributors.

We avoid both actual conflicts of interest and situations that could reasonably create the appearance of a conflict. When conflicts cannot be avoided, we disclose them or, when appropriate, remove the journalist from the assignment.

General principles

All employees, contractors, interns, freelance contributors, and board members are expected to avoid activities that could compromise, or reasonably appear to compromise, the independence, integrity, or credibility of The Jersey Vindicator.

Staff members must promptly disclose potential conflicts of interest to their editor or supervisor. Disclosure does not automatically eliminate a conflict of interest, but it allows the newsroom to determine the appropriate course of action.

When in doubt, we err on the side of disclosure.

Personal relationships

Journalists should not report on individuals or organizations with whom they have close personal, family, romantic, or financial relationships.

If such a situation arises, the relationship should be disclosed to an editor, who will determine whether reassignment or another safeguard is appropriate.

Financial interests

Employees should avoid financial investments or business relationships that could reasonably call their impartiality into question.

News employees assigned to cover a particular industry may not buy or sell securities in companies they regularly cover or in companies whose performance they possess material, nonpublic information about.

Employees may never use unpublished information obtained through their work to make investment decisions or provide investment advice to others.

Gifts, favors, and free travel

Employees and board members may not solicit or accept gifts, favors, entertainment, travel, loans, services, discounts, or other benefits that could influence, or appear to influence, editorial judgment.

We do not accept free trips, lavish hospitality, or preferential treatment from individuals or organizations we cover or may cover.

Nominal items of insignificant value that are customary in professional settings may be accepted when refusing them would be impractical or discourteous, provided they do not create a real or perceived conflict of interest.

Outside employment and activities

Employees should avoid outside employment, consulting, or freelance work that conflicts with the interests of The Jersey Vindicator or could reasonably call their independence into question.

Employees may not serve as officers or directors of for-profit companies without prior written approval from the editor-in-chief or executive leadership, except for closely held family businesses where no editorial conflict exists.

Outside board service, volunteer work, civic engagement, charitable activities, and professional associations are generally encouraged, provided they do not interfere with job responsibilities or create actual or perceived conflicts of interest.

Political activity

The Jersey Vindicator is a nonpartisan news organization.

Newsroom employees and managers with editorial responsibilities should refrain from partisan political activity that could reasonably undermine public confidence in their impartiality.

This includes:

• Campaigning for candidates.
• Holding leadership positions in political organizations.
• Displaying campaign signs or materials in a manner that publicly associates the newsroom with a candidate or political party.
• Making public endorsements of candidates.
• Participating in campaign events, rallies, or fundraising activities.

Employees may participate in civic, charitable, educational, religious, and community organizations, provided those activities do not compromise, or appear to compromise, their journalistic independence.

Board members

Board members oversee the financial health, governance, and long-term sustainability of The Jersey Vindicator. They do not direct, review, approve, or influence editorial decisions.

To avoid conflicts of interest:

• Board members may not receive compensation for professional work performed for The Jersey Vindicator.
• Board members may not seek employment or paid contractual relationships with the organization while serving on the board or for three years after leaving the board.

Recusal

Editors may remove a journalist from an assignment whenever a personal, financial, political, or professional relationship could reasonably call the journalist’s independence into question.

Recusal protects both the integrity of the reporting and public confidence in our journalism.

Reporting concerns

Employees who become aware of a potential conflict of interest or possible violation of this policy should promptly report it to an editor or member of senior leadership.

The Jersey Vindicator prohibits retaliation against anyone who, in good faith, reports a potential conflict of interest or ethical concern.

Questions about this policy should be raised before acting whenever possible.

When in doubt, ask.