Ethics Policy
Hidden Beats is committed to reporting that is fair, accurate, complete, transparent, and independent.
General Respect
- Demonstrate respect for the dignity, worth, experience, and knowledge of all people.
- Acknowledge clients’ rights to self-determination and autonomy, and the right to participate in decisions that affects them.
- Use language that conveys respect for the dignity of others (e.g., use of proper personal pronouns)
- Not practice, condone, facilitate, or collaborate with any form of unjust discrimination
- Not engage publicly (e.g., in public statements, presentations, research reports, or with clients) in demeaning descriptions of others, including jokes based on culture, nationality, ethnicity, colour, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, health status, etc., or other remarks which reflect adversely on the dignity of others.
- Abstain from all forms of harassment, including sexual harassment.
- Take care not to infringe, in service or research activities, on the personally, legally, or culturally defined private space of individuals or groups unless explicit permission is granted to do so.
- Explore and collect only that information that is relevant to the subject of topic, unless otherwise requested by the client.
Fact-Checking Standards
Hidden Beats counts on its writers to make independent evaluations of difficult topics. The best journalism—no matter how descriptive, opinion driven, or narrative driven—is based on facts, and those facts should be clearly presented in the story. Hidden Beats is committed to ensuring the validity of the subject’s artistry and finding balance between various perspectives on any given issue, while keeping in mind the reliability and motivations of individual sources.
Corrections
We make every effort to avoid errors online. In keeping with principles of accuracy, integrity, and fairness, we correct a significant error when we have been able to establish that one has occurred. This is essential for our credibility with Canadians.
When a correction is necessary, it is made promptly given the circumstances, with due regard for the reach of the published error. The fact that a situation has evolved so that information that was accurate at the time of its publication is no longer accurate does not mean that an error was committed, but we must consider the appropriateness of updating it, considering its importance and impact.
In some cases, material is not inaccurate per se, but risks misleading the audience. In such cases we can consider publishing or airing a clarification.
When we make corrections and clarifications online, we should include on the story page an explanatory note to the audience.
As soon as Hidden Beats is made aware of an error, fact-checkers will review the statement in question. Any needed corrections will be noted online at the bottom of the article. The correction will reference the original error and supply the correct information and the date.
If you notice an error in something published by Hidden Beats, please send us a message at Blake@hidden-beats.com with the subject line “Correction.”
Editorial Independence
Journalism at Hidden Beats is produced independently of commercial or political interests. When a writer relies on an organization for travel or access to an event or product, we are transparent about the relationship and note it within the relevant work. We also cite potential conflicts of interest—and, where applicable, credit funding sources—on the same page as the relevant work. Contributors are contractually obligated to disclose practices that may deviate from the ethics policy of Hidden Beats to the team.
Editorial Standards
Hidden Beats maintains a style guide and an ethics policy, both of which are regularly reviewed and updated to reflect current conversations about culture and terminology.
For any situation not covered by this policy, we refer to the Ethics Guidelines of the Canadian Association of Journalists.
Feedback
Hidden Beats invites feedback from the public on the values, issues, and ideas covered in our journalism. Audience feedback may help Hidden Beats develop an individual story or line of coverage, answer questions that a story may raise, identify related or under-covered issues, and learn about new sources, experts, and perspectives. If you have any questions, ideas, or comments, you can reach us at info@hidden-beats.com.
Diversity Statement
Inclusiveness is at the heart of thinking and acting as journalists—and supports the educational mandate of Hidden Beats. Race, class, generation, gender, sexual orientation, ability, and geography all affect point of view. Hidden Beats believes that reflecting societal differences in reporting leads to better, more nuanced stories and a better-informed community. Hidden Beats is committed to employment equity and diversity.