Star-Telegram Newsroom Code of Ethics

Ethical conduct on the part of the organization and the individual is at the heart of the Star-Telegram’s credibility with its readers.

All Editorial Department employees must strive continually to report with accuracy and fairness and, in all of their functions, meet their professional responsibilities with an absence of conflict of interest and with honesty, common sense and good judgment. They should remember that the appearance of conflict of interest and unethical conduct can be just as damaging to the newspaper’s credibility as actual conflict and unethical behavior.

No ethics code can address all possible situations. The guidelines outlined in this code deal with obvious potential problems and may be used to develop approaches to situations not covered and unforeseeable.

The responsibility for ethical behavior rests with the individual staff member. It is his or her duty to call to the attention of supervising editors actual and potential conflicts and violations of this code.

The standards of conduct, performance and professionalism outlined in this code apply to all full-time Star-Telegram newsroom employees and to part-time employees as they relate to their work for the newspaper. Stringers and correspondents are expected to follow standards that will uphold the credibility of the newspaper.

OUTSIDE ACTIVITIES AND CONFLICT OF INTEREST

1. In their roles as employees of the Star-Telegram, staff members should not accept anything of value without paying for it at the price available to the general public. This includes tickets to movies, plays, concerts, club shows, and sports events, meals, books, and musical recordings, any kind of merchandise or discounts on the merchandise.

A. Star-Telegram employees may accept admission to staged performances or exhibitions for purposes of reporting or reviewing if such admission is customarily offered, but only for specific purposes of reporting or reviewing.

The Star-Telegram as an entity may accept copies of books and recordings specifically for review or reporting, and will return, store or dispose of these items appropriately. Permanent equipment, clothing, furnishings or appliances should in no case be accepted, but should be purchased and paid for by the Star-Telegram when deemed necessary for reporting.

If there is any question of prejudice of coverage when admission or items such as books or recordings are received without charge, or any indication that the presenters, publishers, publicists or producers expect input or influence of coverage because of the items or admission, the Star-Telegram will pay for the admission or items involved at full price, or reimburse employees or other writers for the expense of admission or purchase.

Because of the special nature of restaurant reviewing, restaurant reviewers will in all cases retain their anonymity as much as possible when reviewing and will in all instances pay for all meals, to be reimbursed by the Star-Telegram in full.

B. Staff members should accept no free tickets for admission of friends or relatives.