Professional and Ethical Code of Conduct

Introduction

Athar holds that independent, responsible journalism is essential to the public's right to knowledge, to accountability and transparency, and to the public interest. The platform is committed to producing investigative and analytical journalism grounded in evidence, documents and data, while upholding human rights, individual dignity, and the highest professional and ethical standards.

This code is the ethical reference for everyone who works with or contributes to Athar — reporters, researchers, editors, photographers, content producers, opinion writers and independent collaborators alike. It applies across every stage of editorial production and publication, on all platforms and in all formats.

Staff conduct

Integrity and objectivity

All staff commit to:

• Reporting facts honestly and accurately.
• Verifying information through reliable and, where possible, multiple sources.
• Maintaining a clear separation between news, opinion and analysis.
• Correcting errors when they come to light.
• Never fabricating facts, quotations, documents, images or data.

Conflicts of interest

Staff must disclose any personal, financial, family or political relationship that could compromise their professional independence, and must step away from covering or editing any subject where a real or apparent conflict exists.

Gifts and benefits

No member of staff may accept gifts, personal grants, financial benefits, hospitality, travel or any advantage that could influence — or appear to influence — editorial decisions. The only exceptions are events, training programmes or publicly announced grants consistent with professional norms, and only with the approval of the editorial leadership.

Online conduct

When using social media and digital platforms, staff commit to:

• Maintaining respectful discourse.
• Not publishing hate speech, discrimination or incitement to violence.
• Not disclosing internal information or documents before publication.
• Protecting the confidentiality of sources and data.
• Avoiding public positions that could compromise their impartiality on stories they cover.

A safe and respectful workplace

Athar is committed to a working environment built on respect, equality and equal opportunity, and rejects all forms of violence, discrimination and exploitation.

Anti-harassment

The platform prohibits every form of harassment — verbal, physical, psychological, sexual or digital — within the workplace, during professional assignments, and at events associated with Athar. The platform commits to taking all necessary measures to enforce this standard, including a dedicated internal anti-harassment policy.

Anti-violence and anti-discrimination

Athar rejects any conduct based on discrimination by gender, social identity, disability, age, religion, ethnicity, origin, political affiliation or any other ground. All staff are treated on the basis of equality and respect.

Respect for women

The platform is committed to respecting the rights and dignity of women, and rejects any conduct or discourse that diminishes their standing, perpetuates stereotypes, or justifies violence or discrimination against them — whether in the workplace or in editorial content.

Protection of staff

The platform takes appropriate measures to protect staff and collaborators from retaliation, threats, harassment or abuse related to their professional work, and ensures the confidentiality of reports concerning violations.

Working with sources

Transparency

Journalists identify themselves, their professional role and their affiliation with Athar when contacting sources. Deception or false identity may only be used in investigative reporting where the public interest demands it, and only after obtaining the necessary editorial and legal approvals.

Source protection

The platform respects the confidentiality of its sources and takes the steps necessary to protect their identity and data. A source's identity may only be disclosed with their consent, or where a legally enforceable court order requires it.

No payment for information

Athar does not pay for news, testimony or information, and does not permit any practice that could compromise the credibility or independence of its sources.

Reporting on vulnerable groups

Athar takes particular care when covering stories involving children, victims of violence, trauma survivors, persons with disabilities, refugees, detainees and marginalised communities.

The platform obtains free and informed consent before conducting interviews, filming or recording testimony. It respects privacy and human dignity, and avoids any treatment that could cause additional harm or re-traumatise victims.

Freelance contributors

Original work

Contributors must submit original journalism. Plagiarism, copying and the republication of third-party material without permission or proper attribution are prohibited.

Intellectual property

The platform respects intellectual property rights. All contributors must properly attribute sources and quotations and respect the rights of authors and creators.

Funding disclosure

Journalists and contributors must disclose to the editorial leadership any funding, grants or external support connected to the subject or production of their work, to safeguard editorial independence and transparency.

Adherence to this code

Compliance with this code is a condition of working or collaborating with Athar. All staff and contributors agree to abide by its provisions and to report any violation through the channels the platform provides.

This code is reviewed and updated periodically to reflect developments in professional practice, technology and law, and to advance Athar's mission of independent, responsible journalism in the service of truth and the public interest.