Code Of Ethics

BENGALI TIMES
CODE OF ETHICS AND EDITORIAL STANDARDS
 Independent Journalism | Accuracy | Fairness | Accountability

Effective Date: January 28, 2025
Organization: Bengali Times
Country: Canada

  1. Purpose and Commitment

Bengali Times is committed to providing accurate, independent, fair, responsible, and ethical journalism that serves the public interest, particularly Bengali-speaking communities in Canada.
Our mission is to inform, educate, and engage readers through credible news reporting, investigative journalism, community coverage, and balanced analysis of issues affecting Canadian society.
Bengali Times recognizes that public trust is the foundation of journalism. All editorial employees, reporters, contributors, photographers, and freelance journalists are expected to uphold the highest standards of professional integrity.

  1. Editorial Independence

Bengali Times maintains editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advertisers, sponsors, business interests, and other external influences.

  • Editorial decisions must be based on journalistic merit, accuracy, relevance, and public interest.
  • Advertisers and sponsors must not influence news coverage or editorial decisions.
  • Journalists must not accept financial incentives, gifts, or benefits intended to influence their reporting.
  • Editorial content must remain clearly distinguishable from advertising, sponsored material, and promotional content.
  • The publisher and management must respect the professional independence of editorial staff.
  1. Accuracy and Verification

Accuracy is a fundamental responsibility of Bengali Times.

  • Journalists must verify facts, quotations, names, dates, statistics, and other relevant information before publication.
  • Information should be obtained from credible and identifiable sources whenever possible.
  • Allegations, rumours, and unverified claims must not be presented as established facts.
  • Headlines, photographs, captions, and social media posts must accurately reflect the content of the reporting.
  • Errors must be corrected promptly, transparently, and appropriately.
  1. Fairness, Balance, and Impartiality

Bengali Times is committed to fair and impartial reporting.

  • Journalists must make reasonable efforts to present relevant perspectives on controversial issues.
  • Individuals or organizations facing significant allegations should be given a reasonable opportunity to respond before publication.
  • Reporting must distinguish verified facts from allegations, opinions, and interpretations.
  • Journalists must avoid discriminatory language, stereotypes, and unfair representations.
  • Fairness does not require giving equal weight to demonstrably false or unsupported claims.
  1. Conflict of Interest

All journalists and editorial personnel must avoid actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest.

  • Personal, political, financial, or business relationships must not improperly influence editorial decisions.
  • Journalists must disclose relevant conflicts of interest to editorial management.
  • Reporters should not cover matters in which they have a significant personal or financial interest without appropriate editorial safeguards.
  • Editorial personnel must not use confidential information obtained through journalism for personal gain.
  • Any necessary reassignment or disclosure must be determined by editorial management.
  1. Political Neutrality and Independence

Bengali Times respects democratic institutions, freedom of expression, and political diversity.

  • News reporting must remain independent of political parties and candidates.
  • Political coverage must be based on facts, public interest, and fair journalistic judgment.
  • Journalists must not use their reporting positions to promote political candidates or campaigns.
  • Personal political activities that could compromise impartial reporting must be disclosed and appropriately managed.
  • Editorial opinions, where published, must be clearly identified and distinguished from news reporting.
  1. Sources and Confidentiality

Bengali Times respects the confidentiality of sources and the responsible gathering of information.

  • Journalists should identify sources whenever reasonably possible.
  • Anonymous sources may be used when there is a legitimate public-interest justification and the information has been appropriately verified.
  • Confidential sources must be protected in accordance with applicable Canadian law and professional journalistic standards.
  • Journalists must not fabricate sources, quotations, interviews, or evidence.
  • Information must not be obtained through unlawful or deceptive methods except where exceptional public-interest circumstances warrant careful legal and editorial review.
  1. Privacy, Dignity, and Human Rights

Bengali Times respects individual privacy, dignity, and fundamental human rights.

  • Journalists must balance the public’s right to know against legitimate privacy interests.
  • Particular care must be taken when reporting on children, victims of crime, vulnerable individuals, and people experiencing trauma.
  • Coverage must avoid unnecessary harm, sensationalism, and discrimination.
  • Reporting must comply with applicable Canadian laws, including publication bans and relevant privacy requirements.
  • Information about ethnicity, religion, nationality, gender, or other personal characteristics should be included only when editorially relevant.
  1. Corrections and Accountability

Bengali Times accepts responsibility for the accuracy and integrity of its published journalism.

  • Substantive factual errors must be corrected as soon as reasonably possible after verification.
  • Significant corrections should be clearly identified.
  • Requests for corrections or clarification must be reviewed fairly.
  • Readers and affected individuals must have an accessible way to raise concerns about published content.
  • Editorial management is responsible for reviewing serious complaints and ensuring appropriate corrective action.
  1. Original Journalism and Plagiarism

Bengali Times is committed to original reporting and respect for intellectual property.

  • Plagiarism, fabrication, and deliberate misrepresentation are strictly prohibited.
  • Material obtained from other publications must be appropriately attributed.
  • Copyrighted content must be used in accordance with applicable laws and permissions.
  • Journalists must not present another organization’s reporting as their own original work.
  • Photographs, videos, documents, and quotations must not be manipulated in a misleading manner.
  1. Digital Journalism, Social Media, and Artificial Intelligence

The ethical standards of Bengali Times apply equally to print publications, websites, social media, and other digital platforms.

  • Digital content must meet the same verification standards as printed journalism.
  • Journalists must verify information obtained from social media before publication.
  • Artificial intelligence tools may assist with research, translation, transcription, and editing, subject to appropriate human supervision.
  • AI-generated information must not be published as verified fact without independent verification.
  • Fabricated AI-generated quotations, sources, images, or events must never be presented as authentic journalism.
  • Final editorial responsibility remains with human editors and journalists.
  1. Advertising and Sponsored Content

Bengali Times maintains a clear separation between editorial journalism and commercial activities.

  • Paid advertisements and sponsored content must be clearly identified.
  • Advertisers must not receive preferential editorial treatment in exchange for financial support.
  • Editorial coverage must not be purchased or controlled by commercial interests.
  • Journalists must not solicit or accept payments in exchange for favourable reporting.
  • Advertising relationships must not prevent legitimate reporting on matters of public interest.
  1. Community Responsibility and Diversity

As a Canadian Bengali-language news organization, Bengali Times recognizes its responsibility to serve diverse communities while maintaining professional independence.

  • We are committed to reporting on issues affecting Bengali-speaking Canadians and the broader Canadian public.
  • We support inclusive coverage reflecting different communities, generations, cultures, and perspectives.
  • We encourage civic participation, public awareness, and informed democratic discussion.
  • Community relationships must not compromise editorial integrity.
  • Public-interest reporting must take priority over personal or organizational interests.
  1. Compliance with Canadian Journalism Standards

Bengali Times is committed to operating in accordance with applicable Canadian laws and recognized principles of ethical journalism.
Our editorial policies are guided by established Canadian journalistic principles, including accuracy, fairness, independence, transparency, accountability, and respect for freedom of expression.
Bengali Times upholds professional editorial standards to ensure that its journalism remains credible, responsible, and focused on serving the public interest.

  1. Implementation and Enforcement

This Code of Ethics applies to all Bengali Times editorial employees, journalists, editors, freelance contributors, and other individuals involved in producing editorial content.

  • All editorial personnel are expected to familiarize themselves with this policy.
  • Suspected violations should be reported to the Chief Editor or designated editorial supervisor.
  • Serious ethical concerns must be reviewed fairly and documented where appropriate.
  • Corrective measures may include guidance, additional training, reassignment, disciplinary action, or termination of editorial engagement, depending on the circumstances.
  • This policy will be reviewed periodically and updated as necessary.
  1. Editorial Declaration

Bengali Times believes that independent journalism is essential to a healthy democratic society.
We are committed to protecting press freedom, serving the public interest, reporting truthfully, respecting diverse perspectives, and maintaining the confidence of our readers.

Our guiding principle is simple: Journalism must serve the public interest—not political, personal, or commercial interests.

POLICY APPROVAL

Approved By: Abdul Halim Miah
Designation: Chief Editor
Organization: Bengali Times
Approval Date: January 28, 2025
Effective Date: January 28, 2025

This Code of Ethics and Editorial Standards is the official editorial policy of Bengali Times, effective January 28, 2025.