Operating Principles
WRKF Senior Management Team:
Paul Maassen, President and General Manager
225-926-3050 extension 22
Paul@wrkf.org
Barbara Clark, Development Director
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Barbara@wrkf.org
WRKF policies
WWNO and WRKF Code of Ethics
The leadership of these two stations believes community service and accountability is at the heart of journalism (and journalists’) role in maintaining a democratic society. Ethical journalism strives to ensure the free exchange of information that is accurate, fair and thorough. An ethical journalist is accountable to themselves, their organization, and the public they serve.
The leadership of WWNO and WRKF, using guiding principles from the Society of Professional Journalists and National Public Radio, have chosen these basic tenets to guide journalists in their work.
Seek Truth
WWNO/WRKF journalists take responsibility for the accuracy of their own work.
- Journalism needs to be original. WWNO/WRKF journalists find original sources whenever possible and do not rely on second-hand information.
- More importantly, WWNO/WRKF doesn’t plagiarize. We attribute the sources of our information.
- We clearly identify sources, as the public has a right to know. We do not grant anonymity unless there is a substantial journalistic justification for using the source's information without attribution such as threat of physical harm or retribution. But just because they are anonymous to our audience, they should never be anonymous to the journalist or organization. WWNO/WRKF must always disclose to our audience why we granted anonymity.
- We clearly identify ourselves. WWNO/WRKF journalists identify themselves to those they are reporting on with their name and news organization. They wear press passes in public news gathering settings. Surreptitious methods of news gathering like going undercover are left as last resorts or the most reasonable option on a story that serves the public’s best interests.
- Journalists don’t give into assumptions or to those of others. This includes never deliberately distorting facts or context and avoiding stereotypes. WWNO/WRKF strives to tell diverse stories with diverse characters and to incorporate voices seldom heard.
- WWNO/WRKF holds people accountable, especially those with power over others. This puts the news organization in the role of watchdog over public affairs and government, a role wielded responsibly.
- WWNO/WRKF makes sure important things that impact our audience aren’t conducted in the dark... in essence we are the ones shining the light.
- WWNO/WRKF gives a voice to those who would otherwise have none.
Minimize Harm
To sources, subjects of stories, colleagues, ourselves and WWNO/WRKF.
- Stories are not transactional. It is not what a WWNO/WRKF journalist needs to do today to get their story, fill the newscast, and/or to serve their daily job requirements. This is often someone’s life we’re dropping into, or something important the community needs to know.
- We always treat the story and the subjects with respect and care. WWNO/WRKF never assumes what a potential interviewee knows. We clearly state what the story entails, what will be on the record, and when and where it will be heard and/or published.
- We use heightened sensitivity when dealing with juveniles, survivors of sex crimes, and sources who are inexperienced. WWWNO/WRKF takes the extra step to assure consent from those who can grant it on behalf of others. We consider cultural differences in our interactions as well.
- We respect people’s right to invoke their privacy, especially private citizens. However public figures and those wielding power and authority don’t get to hide behind privacy as much as others.
- WWNO/WRKF is considerate of the long-term impacts any reporting may have. Reporting decisions are made deliberately with multiple levels of input and editorial oversight.
- The ability to gather information and the ability to report certain news is a power WWNO/WRKF acknowledges and will yield responsibly.
Act Independently
Avoid conflicts of interest both real and perceived. Disclose unavoidable conflicts.
- No journalist will ever be asked or expected to interview people they are closely related to or acquainted with. Any journalist has the right to decline interviewing someone they feel uncomfortable with due to personal or professional reasons.
- We refuse obvious attempts to gain favor such as gifts, favors, fees, free travel and special treatment. Especially when expectation is favorable coverage in return.
- WWNO/WRKF journalists avoid those offering information or favors for future favors or money. We do not trade favorable coverage or pay anyone for their involvement in any of our journalism.
- We identify when content comes from outside sources.
- We deny favored treatment to underwriters, donors, and special interests. Their aid or association with a journalist or our organization does not buy them a free pass from fair and potentially unfavorable coverage.
- We avoid political and other outside activities that may compromise integrity or impartiality, or may damage credibility.
- Participation is different from advocacy. Voting, religious and cultural practices, volunteering on boards committees, or organizations are forms of participation that are protected as long as we as an organization maintain the journalist will never report on something that puts them in conflict of interest. Donations, public displays of support for political candidates, signing petitions, and similar activities can compromise a journalist’s integrity and that of the organization and should be discussed with station leadership before engaging in said behaviors or activities.
Be Transparent
Take responsibility for our work and explain editorial and journalistic decisions to the public.
- WWNO/WRKF journalists always seek to be accountable and transparent.
- WWNO/WRKF explains ethical choices and processes to audiences.
- WWNO/WRKF will respond quickly to questions about accuracy, clarity and fairness whether personally or in public.
- WWNO/WRKF acknowledge mistakes and correct them promptly and prominently. We explain corrections and clarifications carefully and clearly.
- WWNO/WRKF has a responsibility to bring to light unethical conduct in journalism, including within our own organization. We will report on ourselves like we do on any other public entity, with accuracy and fairness.
- Most of all, WWNO/WRKF journalists should hold themselves to the same standards you expect of others.