Purpose and Scope

This Ethics Policy applies to all employees, contractors, freelance contributors, and anyone producing content under the For Reel News name or any of its sub-brand publications. It supplements our Editorial Guidelines by addressing the personal and professional conduct expected of those who work with us. The credibility of our journalism depends not only on the quality of our reporting but on the integrity of the people who produce it.

Conflicts of Interest

A conflict of interest exists when a journalist’s personal interests, relationships, or activities could compromise — or could reasonably appear to compromise — the independence and integrity of their work.

• Financial interests: Staff members may not own stock, securities, or other financial instruments in companies they cover or are likely to cover. If a staff member’s existing holdings create a conflict, they must disclose the holdings to their editor and recuse themselves from relevant coverage. Staff members may hold broadly diversified mutual funds and index funds.
• Outside employment: Staff members may not accept paid employment, consulting arrangements, or advisory roles with entities they cover, entities that are regularly the subject of news coverage, or entities that could be perceived as compromising editorial independence. Freelance contributors must disclose all relevant professional relationships at the time of assignment.
• Personal relationships: Staff members must disclose to their editors any personal, familial, or romantic relationships with individuals or organizations they cover. Disclosure does not automatically disqualify a journalist from an assignment, but it allows editorial leadership to make an informed decision about whether recusal is necessary.
• Speaking engagements: Staff members may accept speaking engagements at educational institutions, journalism conferences, and civic organizations. They may not accept speaking fees from organizations they cover, lobbying groups, political organizations, or entities with a direct interest in pending coverage. All paid speaking engagements must be approved in advance by editorial leadership.
• Disclosure obligation: When in doubt about whether a situation constitutes a conflict, disclose it. It is always preferable to raise a potential conflict and have it evaluated than to proceed without disclosure.

Gifts, Hospitality, and Travel

Accepting gifts, hospitality, or travel from sources, subjects, or anyone seeking to influence coverage creates real or perceived conflicts that undermine credibility.

• Gifts: Staff members may not accept gifts of any value from sources, subjects of coverage, public relations representatives, lobbyists, or anyone seeking to influence editorial decisions. Unsolicited items such as review copies of books or promotional materials of nominal value (under $25) may be accepted. Items of greater value must be returned or donated.
• Meals: Journalists may accept occasional meals of reasonable value in the course of conducting interviews or meeting sources, where refusing would be impractical or culturally inappropriate. Lavish or repeated hospitality from any single source must be declined.
• Travel: For Reel News pays for its own travel. Staff members may not accept free or discounted travel, accommodations, or event access from sources, subjects, or interested parties. Exceptions may be made in limited circumstances — such as embeds with military units or access to remote locations where independent travel is not feasible — with prior approval from editorial leadership.
• Press trips: Paid press trips organized by corporations, governments, tourism boards, or public relations firms are declined as a matter of policy.

Political Activity and Civic Participation

Journalists at For Reel News must avoid political activity that could call into question their ability — or the organization’s ability — to cover political news fairly.

• Political donations: Staff members involved in news coverage or editorial decision-making may not make financial contributions to political candidates, parties, political action committees, ballot initiatives, or politically active organizations.
• Political campaigns: Staff members may not participate in political campaigns, serve as delegates to political conventions, or hold or seek elected or appointed government office.
• Public demonstrations: Staff members should avoid participating in public demonstrations, marches, rallies, or protests on topics that are subjects of news coverage. This restriction recognizes that participation in advocacy activity — regardless of how broadly supported the cause may be — creates an appearance of partiality.
• Voting: Exercising the right to vote is encouraged and is not considered a violation of this policy. Staff members are not required to disclose how they vote.
• Civic engagement: Staff members may participate in nonpartisan civic activities such as volunteer work, religious observance, and community organizations, provided these activities do not create conflicts with their coverage responsibilities.

Social Media Conduct

Social media activity by For Reel News staff members is a public expression that directly reflects on the organization’s credibility. There is no meaningful distinction between a journalist’s professional and personal social media presence when it comes to public perception.

• Standards apply online: All editorial standards — accuracy, fairness, impartiality — apply to social media posts with the same force as they apply to published articles.
• No partisan expression: Staff members should not express personal political opinions, endorse candidates or causes, or engage in partisan rhetoric on social media. Sharing or liking posts that express partisan viewpoints may be perceived as endorsement and should be avoided.
• Breaking news caution: The impulse to be first on social media must be balanced against the obligation to be accurate. Staff members should not post unverified claims, rumors, or speculative information on social media, even with caveats.
• Engagement with audiences: Constructive engagement with readers and the public is encouraged. Staff members should not engage in hostile exchanges, personal attacks, or arguments on social media. When confronted with harassment, the recommended course of action is to disengage, block, and — if necessary — report the behavior.
• Confidential information: Staff members must not share unpublished editorial information, internal deliberations, story tips, or confidential source information on social media or in any other public forum.

Use of Artificial Intelligence

AI tools may be used to assist with research, transcription, data analysis, and other journalistic support functions. However, all AI-generated or AI-assisted content must be reviewed and verified by a human editor before publication. AI-generated text may not be published as original reporting without substantial human revision and verification. The use of AI tools in the production of a story must be disclosed to editors and, where material, to readers.

Enforcement

Compliance with this Ethics Policy is a condition of employment or engagement with For Reel News. Violations are subject to review by editorial leadership and may result in corrective action, suspension, or termination of the professional relationship. Staff members who are uncertain about the application of any provision of this policy are encouraged to seek guidance from their editor or from ethics@forreelnews.com.

This policy is reviewed annually and updated as warranted. Last updated March 2026.