Editorial Standards and Policies

At Bywire News, we utilize artificial intelligence in all aspects of our news gathering, writing, and verification processes. While AI technology enhances our capabilities and efficiency, we acknowledge that it can occasionally make mistakes. In particular, there may be instances where AI might inadvertently generate or misstate quotes or facts.

We maintain rigorous quality control processes to prevent the publication of AI-generated inaccuracies. However, despite our best efforts, some errors may occasionally slip through. While we strive for accuracy in all our reporting, we take no liability for such AI-related mistakes.

We are committed to transparency about our use of AI and will continue to refine our processes to maintain the highest standards of journalistic integrity.

The Bywire mission is to unify independent news, to challenge the legacy media narrative. To simplify Indie news dissemination to the critical masses, by making it as accessible and as convenient as possible. To become and remain the technological, democratic, immutable, monetisation, web 3.0 content publication standard.

Bywire shall, and forever adhere to the following principles and standards:

• Truthful: In the pursuit of truth, Bywire shall be fearless, and prepared to make sacrifices of its material fortunes, if such course be necessary for the public good.
• Trustworthy: To always remain trusted; to never endanger brand trust through the use of any words, acts, or reporting, in any form, that is or includes deceit, conflation, and supposition.
• Transparent: The duty of Bywire is to its Readers, Publishers, and to the public at large, and not to the private interests of its owners, advertisers, and general customers.
• Accountable: Those who report, comment, and objectify upon others, shall themselves be known, and accountable to those whom they account.
• Viable: The organisation must continue to exist and serve its commercial and societal purpose.
• Principled: Bywire shall not be the ally of any special interest but shall be fair and free and wholesome in its outlook on public affairs and the public interest.

1. Seek Truth and Report It

Ethical journalism should be accurate and fair. Journalists should be honest and courageous in gathering, reporting, and interpreting information.

Journalists should:

• Take responsibility for the accuracy of their work. Verify information before releasing it. Use original sources whenever possible.
• Remember that neither speed nor format excuses inaccuracy.
• Provide context. Take special care not to misrepresent or oversimplify in promoting, previewing or summarising a story.
• Gather, update and correct information throughout the life of a news story.
• Be cautious when making promises but keep the promises they make.
• Identify sources clearly.
• Consider sources' motives before promising anonymity.
• Diligently seek subjects of news coverage to allow them to respond to criticism or allegations of wrongdoing.
• Be vigilant and courageous about holding those with power accountable.
• Support the open and civil exchange of views.
• Never deliberately distort facts or context.
• Never plagiarise. Always attribute.

2. Minimise Harm

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

Journalists should:

• Balance the public's need for information against potential harm or discomfort.
• Show compassion for those who may be affected by news coverage.
• Recognise that legal access to information differs from an ethical justification to publish.
• Consider the long-term implications of the extended reach and permanence of blockchain publication.

3. Act Independently

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

Journalists should:

• Avoid conflicts of interest, real or perceived.
• Refuse gifts, favours, fees, free travel, and special treatment.
• Be wary of sources offering information for favours or money.
• Deny favoured treatment to advertisers, donors or any other special interests.
• Distinguish news from advertising and shun hybrids that blur the lines between the two.
• Prominently label sponsored content.

4. Be Accountable and Transparent

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

Journalists should:

• Explain ethical choices and processes to audiences.
• Respond quickly to questions about accuracy, clarity, and fairness.
• Acknowledge mistakes and correct them promptly and prominently.
• Expose unethical conduct in journalism, including within their organisations.
• Abide by the same high standards they expect of others.

Inclusiveness is at the heart of thinking and acting as journalists. The complex issues we face as a society require respect for different viewpoints. Race, class, generation, gender, and geography all affect point of view. Reflecting these differences in our reporting leads to better nuanced stories and a better-informed community.

Across our output as a whole, we must be inclusive, reflecting a breadth and diversity of opinion. We must be fair and open-minded when examining the evidence and weighting material facts. We must give due weight to the many and diverse areas of an argument.

This document was first published on May 26, 2021 by Michael O'Sullivan, and continues to evolve. These passages have been inspired by and directly 'borrow' complete sentences from writings by Eugene Meyer, who's policies and principles define the mission of the Washington Post. The publication guidelines are written by Members of the Society of Professional Journalists with some minor edits.