Declaration of Principles on the Conduct of Journalistic practice
Knopka.ca is independent media. Our main goal is to provide the public with comprehensive and accurate information regarding the events in Canada and in the world for our readers, who are mainly immigrants to Canada. As publishers, we understand the importance of access to information in native language as an important tool to integration and understanding of the Canadian society.
We rely primarily on international principles of journalistic ethics;
Principle 1. The right of people to receive true and accurate information
People have the right to receive an objective perspective of reality through accurate and comprehensive information. At Knopka.ca we defend the principles of freedom in the form of collecting honest news and the right for fair comment and criticism.
Principle 2. Knopka.ca should report only in accordance to facts
The main task of a journalist is to ensure that people receive truthful and reliable information through honest reflection of objective reality. We present facts in good faith, preserving their true meaning, revealing the most important connections and avoiding distortion.
Knopka.ca makes sure that the public receives enough material to form an accurate and coherent idea of the world as objectively as possible.
Principle 3. Social responsibility
In journalism, information is understood as a public good. The journalist shares responsibility for the information. He is responsible not only to those who control the information, but above all to the general public, taking into account various social interests. The social responsibility requires that in all circumstances, we shall act in accordance to our moral consciousness. Journalists shall be aware of danger of discrimination and should do anything to avoid facilitating such discrimination based on, among other things, age, race, political or social opinions, language, sexual orientation national origins.
Principle 4. Professional integrity of the journalist
The public role demands high professional integrity from a journalist, which implies the right of refusal to disclose sources of information handed confidentially. Professional integrity does not allow a journalist to accept any handouts for either publication or suppression, as well as express private interests that are contrary to the common good. The ethical principles of the journalist includes respect for intellectual property, in particular, the inadmissibility of plagiarism, malicious misrepresentation, slander, libel, unfounded accusations.
Principle 5. Media accessibility and participation of the public
Knopka.ca will do utmost to rectify any published information which is found to be harmfully inaccurate. This implies the obligation to correct the error as soon as possible.
Principle 6. Respect for privacy and human dignity
Knopka.ca shall observe professional secrecy regarding the source of information obtained in confidence. Professional morality requires a journalist to respect the dignity of any person and his right to privacy, in accordance with the requirements of the international human rights.
