We identify ourselves as reporters at the beginning of every conversation with a source.
We offer sources the right to respond. If a story includes criticism of a person, school, agency or company, we give the criticized party a chance to respond.
We seek balance. Balance does not mean acting as if every side has an equal number of voices, but we acknowledge conflicts or disagreements.
We ask the people who are affected. At Hechinger, we strive to hear from multiple perspectives, but especially those most affected by the problems or solutions we’re covering, including children and students. When we talk to children under 18, we always seek permission from their guardians. We also weigh our special responsibility to protect minors’ privacy when quoting them. Children who have been victims of sexual abuse or assault, for example, are not named in connection with that abuse. We may not fully identify children who have a drug addiction, mental health issue or involvement in the criminal justice system, depending on the circumstances.
We are transparent about our sources. We strive to include voices who are willing to speak using their full names. But when a source fears for their safety or privacy or fears retribution for speaking to the press, we explain why we’re not using someone’s name or full name to our readers. We never use pseudonyms.
We use data. Numbers help us identify disparities and problems, and also potential solutions and progress. They help us connect individual stories to larger trends. We are also aware that data can be cherry-picked and that it can mislead if misinterpreted, so we always provide context for and check the accuracy of the data we use.
We attribute and check our facts. Our reporters, editors and copy editors check and double-check the information we provide in our stories. We attribute information so readers can check it, as well.
We correct our errors. When we make a mistake, we correct it as soon as possible, and we’re transparent about the error. We note the place in the story where the original error occurred, and explain the correction at the end of the story.
We note common funders. If an organization we are reporting on shares a funder with Hechinger, we disclose that information in the story. For example: “The Gates Foundation is also one of the many funders of The Hechinger Report, the nonprofit education news publication that produced this report.”
We avoid conflicts of interest. Our reporters and editors avoid stories in which they have a personal connection to a source, school, organization or agency if it could influence the conclusions in the story. In any cases in which editorial staff working on a story have a personal connection to an entity covered in the story, we disclose the connection.
We are not advocates. Our journalism provides information to the public, based on the facts our reporters collect. While we may present conclusions or analysis of those facts, and explore programs or ideas that could solve a problem, we do not advocate for particular policies, programs or educational models.
We are nonpartisan. We do not advocate for any political parties or candidates. Our reporters may register in political parties and vote, but must not let partisanship influence their reporting and must otherwise refrain from making donations to political parties or partisan groups. Reporters and editors do not wear partisan buttons or t-shirts, sign petitions, display lawn signs or bumper stickers or participate in partisan marches or protests in support of candidates, legislation or specific policies. They must also refrain from holding public office, elected or otherwise.
The Hechinger Report also adheres to the values and ethics of the Society for Professional Journalists and the Institute for Nonprofit News.
