No envelopes, ever

Cebu Daily News has a few simple rules that reflect the value we place in independence and credibility.

They may sound familiar.

We’ve used the same guidelines in covering the elections since 1998, when the paper first opened.

“No envelopes, ever” is a standing practice and a commitment to keep the work of CDN journalists professional and worthy of the trust of our reading public.

Today with the opening of the official campaign season for national positions, we’d like to share with readers and other stakeholders CDN editorial guidelines being reissued for the May 20, 2013 election.

For political camps and candidates, we hope the rules of engagement between news source and journalist  achieve, under deadline pressure,  fair and full exposure that is needed by voters to make well-informed decisions about their future leaders.

1. The paper does not endorse any candidate in the May  13, 2013 elections.

Instead, we will make a special effort to engage in Voter’s Education for a clean, honest and orderly election on top of the day-to-day coverage of current events.

i.e. criteria of good leaders, identifying gut issues that candidates should respond to, Voter’s Guides to help citizens navigate the polling process and to make clear, intelligent choices

We serve the voter’s interest above all.

2. Page 1, news content and the opinion section are not for sale.

A clear distinction should be made between Advertising and Editorial material.  If a gray area arises, check with the editors who will take it up with the Publisher.

3. Aim for focus and fair play.

Due to the large number of candidates in the local and national races, the paper will focus coverage on the front-running candidates and key electoral contests.

Fair play refers to giving each subject his or her due in the public discussion of issues and not to a rigid allocation of column inches per candidate.

4. Stick to facts and issues.

Ignore slander, name-calling. You know what that is.

Don’t let a wild accusation go unchallenged.

5. Conflict of interest.

Staffers and columnists who run for office will be asked to go on leave.

Also prohibited: PR work for a candidate or party.

A higher standard of professional objectivity is expected of editors in view of their role as gatekeepers of the daily content of the paper.

Columnists can discuss merits of candidates but should beware of falling into the role of drum beater of a few.   Be ready to support any opinion with facts and logic.

The editor reserves the right to omit in part or whole a column that violates the paper’s standards of accuracy and fairness.

6. No envelopes ever.

Staff , correspondents and columnists do not seek or accept personal favors, “envelopes” or other rewards from a candidate, political party or their handlers that may compromise the paper’s independence.

A breach of this rule violates the no. l value of Inquirer journalists – integrity – and calls down the severest sanction, dismissal.

If a candidate or his representative offers money or attempts to bribe or coerce a reporter, photographer, columnist or editor for favorable coverage, his action will be reported in the paper.

Consult your editor on how to deal with other forms of manipulation by news sources.

7. Political press releases

Campaign-related PR can be e-mailed to [email protected]

This aims to reduce the volume of faxes and paper correspondence.

Political PR  submitted to the newsroom will be evaluated on the basis of its newsworthiness in the daily editors story conference.

Reporters/correspondents can receive these handouts on the field from news sources but are not under obligation to write them as a news story.  Check with the desk for guidance.

8. Political ads

Inquiries about political ads will be referred to the Advertising Department.

No fees will paid to editorial personnel for referring these ads.