Complaints

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Any listener/guest can make an official complaint if he/she feels that the station has broadcasted or published harmful content on this station (music, news, talk, advertisements, etc), shall fill and submit it. Jerusalem24 shall reply within 7 working days.

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EDITORIAL POLICY

JERUSALEM 24

Introduction

Jerusalem 24 is a local radio station committed to act as independent media agency to inform, educate and entertain our audience. Our mission is to promote the narrative based on International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law and will expose the violations of Palestinian rights, particular in East Jerusalem and marginalize areas.

Jerusalem 24 has the right to freedom of expression, guaranteed in article 19 of the Palestinian Basic Law, and the International Convention of Human Rights. We shall use this freedom to deliver trustful, accurate, fair and impartial information to our audience and give them voice in expressing their perspectives toward various topics in the country, with focus on East Jerusalem and marginalized areas. We are seeking to use our platforms to contribute in strengthen the media’s role in reforms in Palestine, and to advocate for citizen’s rights.

All content producers and publishers at Jerusalem 24 should be aware of this policy and apply it. Our management and Editor-in-Chief are responsible for ensuring the compliance of this policy.

Exceptions for non-compliance could be granted through discussions with editors in particular circumstances. It includes but not limited to: balancing the privacy of individuals against the public interest in revealing information about them; the use of offensive output in appropriate contexts against the obligation to unjustified offence; excising our right of freedom of expression; and the audience right to receive information.

 

1. Core Values
   • Independence

Jerusalem 24 is independent media outlet. We are reporting and producing contents without any intervention from owners, authorities, donors, private sector or any external influence.  Editorial decisions are based mainly on the validity of the work and its importance to audience. All editorial decisions should not contradict with International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law. Editors are free to publish critical but responsible views about all issues, with seeking inputs from editorial staff.

• Accuracy

Our journalists are committed to report in accurate and proper context, without any exaggerations or deliberate omissions. The accuracy is fundamental to our reputations and trust of audience.

We have to double check information, documents, videos, photos, statics, graphics or any other forms of contents before publishing.

We have to ensure accuracy through:

• Avoid relying on single source.
• Being aware of any digital manipulation of photographs, videos and documents.
• Separate fact from opinion and not report rumors as facts.
• Ensure the adequate preparation before live programs.
• Gather information using first-hand sources whenever possible.
• Taking notes during seeking information from third parties, and record calls and interviews whenever possible and practical.
• Avoid misleading audience or creating any confusion by presenting the reports and contents clearly.
• Correct any misleading or inaccurate information quickly and visibly.

 

• Impartiality and Fairness

We have to apply due impartiality and fairness in all our coverage and reporting. Our reporting and choices should be balanced and fair. Jerusalem 24 does not aim to please or displease any particular sector of our audiences. We are open minded with regard to any story or event in every part of society. We are not swayed by political or commercial influences or pressure, financial or otherwise.

We should consider the followings to achieve impartiality and fairness:

• Gather and present news and information with impartiality.
• Present a diversity of perspectives, by ensuring that no significant strand of thought or belief within the community is knowingly excluded or disproportionately represented.
• Not misrepresent any perspective.
• Not unduly favor one perspective over another.
• Dedicate special considerations during elections and sensitive topics.

 

• Respectful

Jerusalem 24 should be respectful with its audience. We should be clear about our purposes and goals during interviews, filming or taking photos for people. We identify ourselves as journalists working for Jerusalem 24 during covering or producing stories.

All our content must respect the human dignity. We must ensure to not publish any materials which contains abusive treatments unless it is justified by the context.

Our language shouldn’t contain, without strong justification, racist terms, ethnic abuse, sexual swearwords and derogatory use of holy names or religious words.

All journalists should conduct interviews with respect to all guests. Being respectful does not contradict with critical questions and reporting.

Jerusalem 24 is committed to review all comments made by audience, especially on social media accounts. These reviews should not contain any harmful or disrespectful language.

• Transparency

Transparency is very important for our credibility. Our transparency policy includes but not limited to being clear about what our content is and from where it is come from. We should identify our sources of information transparently, unless revealing put someone at risk.

Jerusalem 24 do not accept materials or information from anonymous sources. Reporters who intend to use material from anonymous sources must get approval from Chief-in-editor, only if:

• The material is information and not opinion or speculation, and is vital to the news report.
• The information is only available under the conditions of anonymity imposed by the source.

Transparency should apply as well on interviews. We have to be honest and clear with people about on records and off records during interviews.

1.6 Professional Responsibility

The compliance of this editorial policy lies on our editorial staff. Content producers and editors shall seek advices from Chief – in – editor or legal advisor when necessary.

In our reporting, we have particular responsibility towards vulnerable groups, children, women, youth and marginalized areas (in particular C areas and East Jerusalem). We must preserve their right to speak out and to be heard. Where they contribute or feature in our productions, we have to ensure their dignity and their physical and emotional welfare are guaranteed.

Jerusalem 24 is also responsible for all published content on its platforms, including information from third party. Our staff are responsible to double check all information provided from third party or other media agencies before using them.

 

 

2. Principles
   • Privacy

Jerusalem 24 believes that privacy is a fundamental right. We respect the privacy of individuals in our reporting, but balancing that with our freedom of expression and our right to publish information in the public interest. Point to be considered while applying the principle of privacy:

• Any infringement of individual privacy should be justified and approved by Editor-in-chief.
• Reporting required secret recording should be approved by editor-in-chief. Normally, we do not encourage secret recording in medical facilities, private places and vulnerable people. Secret recording for note-taking purposes must be approved as well by editor-in-chief.
• Private life of public figures could be reported where their behavior is unlawful or has negative consequences on society.
• Violating individual’s privacy by other media agencies doesn’t justify our reporting on it.

2.2 Corrections

Jerusalem 24 provides accurate and credible information for audience. When mistakes occur, we are committed to respond clearly and quickly.  We have to explain what was wrong and what is correct. Notes for corrections:

• There is no time limit on corrections, we have to correct mistakes even if days or weeks have passed.
• When we publish incorrect information on social networks, we should correct it on the same platform.
• For errors in live broadcasts, we have to correct the mistakes in the next live broadcast and in the same program.
• Corrections apply on all content including articles, photos captions, headlines, graphics, videos or other material.

2.3 Complaints and the Right of Reply

We are dealing politely and transparently with complains. We are open to receive any complains for our coverage, reports and behavior on duty. We are committed to reply to the complains as soon as possible. When the complain is justified, we have to respond quickly and correct our mistake.

When reporting on serious criticism or allegations, we have to offer an opportunity to reply for those involved. The reply should normally be reflected in the same content as the allegations (same program, same debate, or same platform).

The refusal to reply should not prevent us from publishing the story. Whenever possible, we should archive all attempts of communication and the refusal if available.

Reporting on serious allegation without giving an opportunity to reply should obtain approval from Chief-in-editor. However, we only could do that when the allegations id justified by the public interest and if there are strong reasons to believing that the allegations are true.

2.4 Protection of Copy Rights

Copyrights in Palestine protected by British Imperial Copyright Act, applied to Palestine in 1924, and in article 27, (2) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, in which states: “Everyone has the right to the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the author”.

The origin of the contents should be checked before being used. Any data protected by copyright must not be used or copied. Any doubts about copyrights issues for any material should be referred to Chief-in-editor for approval.

2.5 Respect for the Law

Jerusalem 24 operates under the Palestinian laws. All our employees should have a comprehensive understanding of the laws, particularly with regard to libel, defamation, privacy, data protection, copyright and cybercrimes. All staff should comply with the local laws, and should not commit any illegal means inside or outside the work.

Jerusalem 24 has lawyer to assist with all legal issues. If anyone has doubt or uncertainty over a legal issue, he/she should ask for assistance from Chief-in-editor or legal advisor.

We also respect the principles of International human rights laws and International Humanitarian Law.  Whenever possible, our staff will be offering training sessions over local and international laws.

2.6 Sources and Attribution

We are committed to identify all our sources of information to the audience, as part of our transparent policy. Unnamed sources are not encouraged in our reporting. In the same time, when should not reveal our sources if we promised them to do so.  Our main guidelines to deal with sources:

• We are working to the public interest, not for the sources’ interest.
• Its preferred to have two different credible sources for the same information.
• In case of using confidential sources by reporters, one editor at least should know the identity of the source.
• Misleading sources are not allowed in our reporting, we have to identify ourselves as journalists working with Jerusalem 24.
• We have to treat sources fairly by putting their information in the context and summarizing their statements accurately.
• Facts and quotations in a story that were not produced by our own reporting must be attributed.
• Readers should be able to distinguish between what the reporter saw and what the reporter obtained from other sources such as wire services, pool reporters, e-mail, websites, etc.
• We must quote named sources only.
• We always should seek for different sources and looking for variety of voices to our reporting. This means, whenever possible, not to depend on the same sources and experts in our interviews, news and reports.

 

3. Critical Areas
   • Analysis

Analysis is interpretation of the news based on evidence, including data, as well as anticipating how events might unfold based on past events. Its is important to our news and in-depth reports. We should be clear to our audience about what is analysis and what is facts in our reporting.

Analysis based on opinions from experts and contributors should not be presented as our point of views. We should be careful to present different points of views in our analysis.

• Children

Children have a right to speak out and to participate, as enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. They are important to Jerusalem 24 to highlight their needs and challenges, especially in East Jerusalem and marginalized areas.

Jerusalem 24 is keen to advocate for child’s rights in its reporting, with respecting their privacy, dignity and well-being. We should seek permission, preferably in writing, from a parent, guardian, teacher or other responsible individual before speaking to, photographing or filming children.

We must ensure that children are not caused unnecessary risk, distress or anxiety by their involvement in our output. Their safety should be priority over our reporting or editorial requirements.

When we work with children, we normally aim to work in the presence of those responsible for their supervision, although circumstances may vary.

• Grief

We should be sensitive in our tone and language when reporting matters involving loss of life and human suffering. We should respect the privacy of people in grief unless the people indicate a willingness to talk.

We should be cautious about broadcasting images for people in grief or broadcasting any disturbing content in all our platforms.

Contents for people in grief should be referred to Chief-in-editor before being published.

• Victims

We have a responsibility to consider the dignity of victims, as well as the potential distress to their families and other viewers.

We should not identify victims as breaking news without considering the knowledge of their families. We should not publish any images or videos for victims without preserving their personal dignity.

We should not report about any individuals survived from any act of violence as victims without their approval. In this case, we should be aware that our reporting on victims does not create further danger for them.

• Race/Religion/Sexual Orientation/Hate speech

Our coverage properly represents all cultures, races and religions and doesn’t discriminate against anyone. We do not specify an individual’s race, religion or sexual orientation unless it is relevant to the story.

We have to avoid any stereotypical descriptions for individuals or communities in our reporting.

We must use the proper responsibility in respect to religious content. Our contributors should not be allowed to denigrate the beliefs of others. Any content dealing with matters of religion and likely to cause offence to those with religious views and beliefs must be editorially justified as judged against audience expectations and generally accepted standards.

As specified in our respect value, our language shouldn’t contain, without strong justification, racist terms, ethnic abuse, sexual swearwords and derogatory use of holy names or religious words.

Hate speech is prohibited in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. It includes all forms of expression which spread, incite, promote or justify hatred based on intolerance on the grounds of disability, ethnicity, gender, gender reassignment, nationality, race, religion or sexual orientation.

We avoid repeating hate speech or incitements to violence unless there is a compelling editorial reason to do so (such as a politician or public figures speaking in a public forum). If we do run such content we must flag the story accordingly to warn our audience.

• Politics

Jerusalem 24 is fully independent from any political party. We do not accept payment from governments, government-funded organizations, groups of government officials, political groups or organizations that take positions on controversial issues. Our staff should not allow their political opinions to influence their work.

We report politics with our values of accuracy and impartiality, and must not express an opinion on matters of public policy.

Our staff will not actively support or promote causes, politicians and/or political parties. In particular, we expect our political reporters not to be actively engaged with political parties and/or politicians.

During elections, we have a responsibility to provide impartial coverage and to give a voice to all candidates and political parties.

• Conflict of Interest

Jerusalem 24 works for the public interest. We care about our credibility and trust with audience.

All our staff must formally declare any personal interests which may affect their work with us or the reputation of Jerusalem 24.

All our staff should avoid active involvement in any partisan causes that could compromise our ability to report and edit fairly and independently. if anyone is unsure whether an activity may constitute a conflict or the appearance of a conflict, he/she must consult the Chief-in-editor.

Anyone who works for the Jerusalem 24 must be mindful that opinions they express may damage our reputation as an unbiased source of news. Employees should not ask news sources or others they meet in a professional capacity to extend jobs or other benefits to anyone.

Employees should refuse and return gifts from sources, public relations agencies, corporations and others hoping to encourage or influence Jerusalem 24 news coverage or business. Staff must not accept personal benefits, or benefits for their family or close personal relations, from organizations or people with whom they might have dealings on the Jerusalem 24 behalf.

 

CODE OF CONDUCT

JERUSALEM 24

INTRODUCTION

Jerusalem 24 is aware of the responsibility of media in all over the world and for Palestinians. Our intention is to deliver trustful and accurate narrative for what is happening in Palestine, with focus on human rights violations based on International Humanitarian Law and International Convention of Human Rights.

This code of conduct is mandatory for everyone works for Jerusalem 24, specially the content creators and publishers.

1. OUR CORE VALUES

As working with Jerusalem 24, we are committed to:

• Provide the right information in a proper context, with high level of accuracy.
• Maintain our independency all the time. We would never work for any external or special interests – including but not limited to political parties, private sector, organizations, social or cultural entities. Our staff, in particular the editors, have to declare any political affiliations, financial arrangements or other personal information that might constitute a conflict of interest.
• Present points of views from different sources whenever its possible. Our reporting should always be fair and balanced.
• Report with humanity. We have no intentions to harm anyone as a result of our reporting. We should be aware of the impact of our words and images on the lives of others.
• Correct our errors openly. We also listen to the concerns or complaints from our audience.

 WORKING PLACE

2. • Our expectations from staff

In addition to the commitments of the editorial policy, employees are expected to:

• Maintain the positive environment in the working place and support their colleagues.
• Treat everyone with respect without any kind of discrimination by words, deeds, actions, gestures, or behaviors based on age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex (gender) and sexual orientation.
• Deliver creative, professional and innovative content.
• Abide the Palestinian laws and the international conventions for human rights.
• Not causing harm to anyone or putting them under risk.
• Not expose their life or physical safety at any kind of risk.
• Speak if someone is breaking the law or Jerusalem 24 regulations.

 

• Our commitments

Employees expect from management and owners of Jerusalem 24 to:

• Make everyone feels welcome and respected at the working place.
• Provide equal opportunities for all the employees, and to treat everyone fairly and equally.
• Not discriminate against anyone by words, deeds, actions, gestures, or behaviors that make someone feel uncomfortable. (as mentioned above, discrimination could be based on age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex (gender) and sexual orientation).
• Have zero tolerance with any act of harassment, bullying or violence.
• Prioritize the staff safety over any task or reporting.
• Encourage speaking up environment by: taking any claims seriously, investigating the claims fairly and take disciplinary actions when necessary.

 

3. OUR ASSETS AND INFORMATION
   • Protecting assets:

Jerusalem 24 provides a wide range of tools and assets to facilitate the work of journalists and staff and increase the productivity. Therefore, staff should use these assets properly and protect them from any loss, theft, misuse, damage and waste. These assets include but not limited to:

• Computers, printers, copiers, scanners, microphones and monitors
• Phones, tablets and other mobile devices
• Software codes, licenses, business plans and intellectual inventions
• Buildings, cars and other physical property
• Office supplies and equipment

 

• Protecting data and information:

Everyone works for Jerusalem 24 has access to different kind of information and private data. Employees should protect internal and confidential information in which not shared with public. This information includes:

• Financial records and statements
• Clients data including: gains or losses clients, potential investors or clients, contract details and contact information.
• Pricing information
• Business and marketing strategy
• Preparation for new programs or campaigns.
• Resources of information and off records.
• Minutes of meetings, emails and internal discussions
• Passwords and usernames used inside the work or for software programs.

To minimize any unintentional disclosure of internal information, employees should make sure to:

• Store information using only approved storage devices.
• Obtain authorization before responding to requests of information or sharing information.
• Report any suspected breaches or incidents for information disclosure to Jerusalem 24 management.
• Remain cautious when opening e-mail attachments to avoid any hacking attacks.
• Not sharing any nonpublic information about Jerusalem 24, partners or clients with other people, such as relatives or friends.

 

• Archiving

Employees are expected to archive all information and records used during their work with Jerusalem 24 in authorized devices. This including:

• Make sure that all records – including time sheets, sales records and expense reports – are complete, accurate, documented and archived.
• Protect information from loss, damage or deletion, and back them up regularly.
• Archiving media reports, published content, programs and pieces. This include – if applicable – recordings and supported documents for statements, claims and interviews.

 

4. LEGAL ISSUES

Jerusalem 24 is subjected to Palestinian laws, and all employees should respect and not violate the laws inside or outside the work. If there is any doubt concerning legal issues in reporting or developing contracts, employees should seek help from legal advisor. Employees should not send or share any contracts with external parties without prior authorization.  Jerusalem 24 has zero tolerance policy with breaching the laws.

Jerusalem 24 also respects the international laws including International conventions and treats. When reporting on human rights violations or people’s rights, journalists should be aware to meet the international standards of human rights and UN decisions. Jerusalem 24 will offer trainings on International laws for staff whenever possible.

5. DECLARATION

As working with Jerusalem 24, I declare the following:

• Reading and remembering this code of ethics;
• Acting according to this code of ethics;
• Following the laws and regulations applied to Jerusalem 24;
• Speaking up if anyone breaks this code of ethics;
• And being cooperative with any investigation or audits for Jerusalem 24.