Novus Media Press Code

The Press Code guides our journalistic activities and ensures that our content reflects our dedication to ethical conduct and transparency. Below are the key principles that Novus Media adheres to in line with the Press Code.

Freedom of Expression and Public Interest

• Our role is to serve society by providing independent scrutiny of issues that affect our communities. We uphold Section 16 of the South African Bill of Rights, which protects freedom of expression, including freedom of the press and other media.
• Our content aims to inform citizens, provide a multiplicity of voices, and support democratic engagement. We are committed to reporting news truthfully and with the utmost regard for the public interest.

Gathering and Reporting News

The media at Novus Media shall:

• Report Truthfully and Fairly: We take care to report news accurately and without distortion, presenting news in a balanced context and without intentional misrepresentation.
• Verification: All information we report is verified to the best of our ability. When information is uncertain, this is clearly stated.
• Legal and Ethical Reporting: News is gathered ethically, fairly, and honestly unless the public interest justifies deviation from these principles.
• Amendments and Corrections: We promptly publish corrections, retractions, or apologies when inaccuracies are identified, ensuring that such updates are visible across all platforms where the original content appeared.

Independence and Conflicts of Interest

• We operate independently of political, commercial, or personal influences. Our editorial content is clearly distinguished from advertising to maintain integrity and public trust.

Privacy, Dignity, and Protection

We respect the privacy and dignity of individuals, especially in sensitive matters involving bereavement, children, and vulnerable groups. The right to privacy may be overridden only when public interest demands it, and only with careful consideration of the potential harm.

• Protection of Vulnerable Groups: We afford special care when reporting on children, the elderly, and those with disabilities.

Diversity, Non-Discrimination, and Hate Speech

• Novus Media is committed to ensuring that our reporting is free of discriminatory or prejudicial references unless it is strictly relevant and in the public interest. We avoid hate speech and uphold the principles set out in Section 16 of the Bill of Rights to prevent incitement to violence or advocacy of hatred.

Transparent Use of AI and Technology

• Novus Media uses AI to enhance journalistic workflows responsibly and ethically. All AI-generated or assisted content is clearly labeled, and human oversight is always maintained. We adhere to transparency, ensuring our audiences are informed of how technology is integrated into our news production.

Headlines, Captions, and Visual Content

• Accuracy in Representation: Headlines, captions, and photographs are always intended to accurately reflect the content and not to mislead readers.
• No Manipulation: We do not manipulate images, video, or audio content in ways that mislead the public.

Confidential Sources

• We are committed to protecting confidential sources, as this is a foundational principle of a free and democratic society. We use anonymous sources only when necessary and make every effort to corroborate the information they provide.