Ethics Policy

Last updated: August 11, 2026

HeadlinesMagazine.com adheres to the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) Code of Ethics. The SPJ Code outlines four core principles that guide our journalism:

1. Seek Truth and Report It

Journalists should be honest, fair, and courageous in gathering, reporting, and interpreting information. We:

• Take responsibility for the accuracy of our work. We verify information before publication and use original sources whenever possible.
• Remember that neither speed nor format excuses inaccuracy.
• Provide context. We take special care not to misrepresent or oversimplify in promoting, previewing, or summarizing a story.
• Gather, update, and correct information throughout the life of a news story.
• Be vigilant and hold the powerful accountable, especially those who wield power over marginalized communities.
• Avoid undercover or other surreptitious methods of gathering information unless traditional, open methods will not yield information vital to the public.
• Identify sources clearly. Anonymous sources are used only when the source faces genuine risk and the information cannot be obtained on the record.

2. Minimize Harm

Ethical journalism treats sources, subjects, colleagues, and members of the public as human beings deserving of respect. We:

• Balance the public's need for information against potential harm or discomfort. We show compassion for those who may be affected by news coverage.
• Recognize that gathering and reporting information may cause harm or discomfort. We pursue the news in a way that minimizes harm, particularly to vulnerable subjects.
• Recognize that private people have a greater right to control information about themselves than public figures and others who seek power, attention, or influence.
• Avoid pandering to lurid curiosity or appealing to voyeurism, even when others do.
• Exercise particular care when reporting on LGBTQIA+ individuals, especially in jurisdictions where homosexuality is criminalized, to avoid outing individuals against their will.

3. Act Independently

The highest and primary obligation of ethical journalism is to serve the public. We:

• Avoid conflicts of interest, real or perceived. We disclose conflicts immediately.
• Refuse gifts, favors, fees, free travel, and special treatment that might compromise our integrity or that of our publication.
• Deny favored treatment to advertisers, donors, or funders, and resist internal and external pressure to influence coverage.
• Distinguish news from advertising and clearly mark sponsored content.
• Maintain editorial independence from ownership and business interests.

4. Be Accountable and Transparent

Ethical journalism means taking responsibility for one's work and explaining one's decisions to the public. We:

• Explain our work to the public and encourage a civil dialogue with the public about journalistic practices and coverage.
• Respond quickly to questions about accuracy, clarity, and fairness.
• Acknowledge mistakes and correct them promptly and visibly. See our Corrections Policy.
• Expose unethical practices by journalists and news organizations.
• Abide by the same high standards we expect of others.

Source Protection

HeadlinesMagazine.com will protect confidential sources when the publication accepts confidential material. The current site does not advertise a secure submission channel; future channels will be documented before they are offered.

Conflict-of-Interest Disclosure

Contributors must disclose material conflicts before publication. The current masthead does not claim a staffed newsroom or named senior editor. Contributors should not cover organizations in which they hold a material undisclosed financial interest.