Editorial code of practice and guidance(updated)

Charter of Journalistic Ethics and Social Responsibility

As journalists, we solemnly pledge to uphold the highest ethical standards of the press. Our mission is to safeguard the public’s right to know, challenge entrenched power, and champion a more equitable society. We dedicate our conscience and courage to the pursuit of dignified, transformative journalism.

1. Freedom, Agency, and Radical Independence

  1. Freedom of the press and expression are inalienable human rights. We exercise these liberties with a profound sense of social responsibility, serving as a voice for the people’s rights and the common good.
  2. Our journalism is anchored in the pursuit of truth. We resolutely reject interference from political establishments, corporate conglomerates, and all forms of external pressure, ensuring our editorial integrity remains uncompromised.
  3. We prioritise transparency, structural integrity, and the courage to challenge the status quo, fostering a culture of shared experience and accountability to our communities.
  4. We vehemently reject the commodification of news through commercialism and sensationalism, which erode public discourse.
  5. We stand in active solidarity with international movements to combat climate breakdown, ecological collapse, and the systemic inequalities that threaten our shared future.

2. Fairness and Justice in Reporting

  1. We bridge the gap between scientific advancement and the public, disseminating knowledge that empowers citizens to navigate a complex world.
  2. Through inclusive and balanced reporting, we amplify marginalised voices and propose progressive alternatives, compelling policymakers to act for the collective wellbeing and safety of all.
  3. We maintain strict independence from partisan interests, refusing to serve as a mouthpiece for any political party, corporation, or religious sect.
  4. We strive to transcend borders and nationalism, uncovering truths that serve global humanity.
  5. We confront misinformation and ethical lapses—including those within our own industry—to restore public trust through radical honesty.
  6. We provide exhaustive coverage that exposes the root causes of major issues, maintaining a rigorous watchdog role over policies that impact the lives of the many, not the few.

3. Human Rights and Social Justice

  1. The inherent dignity and rights of every individual are the cornerstone of our journalism.
  2. We provide absolute protection for whistleblowers and sources, recognising their courage in speaking truth to power.
  3. While protecting individual privacy, we prioritise the public interest in exposing systemic wrongdoing.
  4. We are meticulously careful to ensure that our pursuit of truth does not result in the marginalisation or victimisation of any individual.
  5. We are committed to exposing structural discrimination and the inequalities exacerbated by hyper-capitalism and technological upheaval, seeking transformative solutions for social equity.
  6. We act in solidarity with global media to ensure that universal rights and freedoms are upheld for all people, regardless of geography.

4. Democratic Engagement and Rectification

  1. We guarantee the right of reply, fostering a pluralistic environment where dissenting voices can be heard.
  2. We value accuracy over speed; should we fail, we will acknowledge, publicise, and rectify our errors with full transparency.
  3. Our commitment to the truth is built on a foundation of fairness and social integrity.
  4. We engage in continuous dialogue with our readers, transforming journalism into a vibrant space for democratic deliberation and activism.

5. Professional Integrity and Workplace Democracy

  1. We adhere to a strict code of professional ethics, rejecting any conduct that compromises the integrity of our craft.
  2. We champion internal democracy, ensuring the autonomy of our reporters so that the lived experiences of the people are conveyed without distortion.

6. This Charter has been in effect since 28 December 2025.

Editorial Vision and Progressive Values

While upholding the rigour of science journalism, we redefine the digital landscape to serve the public interest. Our core values—transparency, integrity, and a spirit of defiance—guide us in building a more informed and just community.

1) Editorial Direction

The Modern Atlas delivers news curated with uncompromising fairness, strictly excluding private or corporate interests. We make science accessible through innovative visual storytelling, ensuring knowledge is democratised. We empower our readers not just to consume news, but to participate actively in the journalistic process.

2) Core Values for a Just Future

  • Integrity: Our content is built on verified facts and data, ensuring that every word and image reflects a commitment to objective truth.
  • Transparency & Equity: We amplify diverse and often unheard voices, providing the public with the depth of information required to challenge prevailing narratives.
  • Defiance & Courage: We approach our work with the spirit of an explorer and the resolve of an advocate, venturing into the field to uncover issues and demand better alternatives.
  • Collective Experience: We foster intellectual curiosity and community engagement. By leveraging high-fidelity digital tools, we build deep, meaningful connections with a global audience committed to progress.

Below is the version before December 27, 2025

As journalists, we solemnly pledge to uphold the Press Code of Ethics and the Internet Newspaper Code of Ethics. We are dedicated to fulfilling our mission of the times with conscience and courage, enhancing the public's right to know and ensuring the dignity of our reportage.

1. Liberty, Responsibility, and Independence of the Press

  1. Freedom of the press and expression are fundamental human rights. We exercise these liberties with a profound sense of responsibility, solely for the rights and interests of the public.
  2. Our reporting is anchored in the pursuit of truth. We resolutely reject any internal or external interference, including that from political or economic powers, throughout the production process.
  3. We prioritise transparency, integrity, a spirit of challenge, courage, fairness, the sharing of experience, and accountability to our readers and the community.
  4. We repudiate commercialism and sensationalism in all forms of news and reporting.
  5. We support international efforts and solidarity aimed at overcoming disasters and crises that threaten the survival of nature and humanity or exacerbate inequality.

2. Fairness in Reporting

  1. We strive to disseminate the latest discoveries of human knowledge with speed and precision.
  2. Through balanced reporting, we amplify grassroots voices and propose alternatives, enabling policymakers to make informed decisions and citizens to lead happy, secure lives informed by accurate data.
  3. We maintain strict political neutrality; we do not join political parties nor represent the interests of specific parties, corporations, religions, or sects.
  4. With collective wisdom and courage, we shall transcend national and ethnic boundaries to deliver the truths the public deserves to know.
  5. We will boldly confront substandard reporting—both within and outside our organisation—to ensure facts and truths are conveyed accurately.
  6. We shall conduct exhaustive investigations to bring the public closer to the truth of major issues. We will rigorously scrutinise policies that significantly impact the nation and provide transparent accounts of on-the-ground realities.

3. Respect for Human Rights

  1. We hold the value of human rights in the highest regard.
  2. We strictly honour the confidentiality of our sources and ensure their protection.
  3. We respect individual honour and privacy, except in cases where reporting serves a clear public interest.
  4. Even in our most rigorous pursuit of truth, we take every precaution to ensure that not a single innocent individual suffers unjust harm.
  5. We are committed to exposing unfair treatment or discrimination arising from advanced capitalism and technological shifts, and to proposing viable alternatives.
  6. We stand in solidarity with the international community and overseas media to ensure that all people globally enjoy equal freedom and rights.

4. Right of Reply and Correction of Misinformation

  1. We guarantee the reader’s right of reply should they disagree with the content or intent of our reporting.
  2. We respect the rights of the public by verifying facts to the last; should an error be identified in our reports or commentaries, we will acknowledge, publish, and rectify it immediately.
  3. We deliver truth founded upon accuracy, fairness, and integrity.
  4. We maintain constant dialogue with news users to ensure our reporting fosters a democratic forum for communication and debate.

5. Professional Dignity and Internal Democracy

  1. We adhere strictly to professional ethics and refrain from any conduct that might diminish the dignity of journalists.
  2. We guarantee the autonomy and responsibility of reporters to ensure grassroots voices reach readers transparently, and we strive continuously to uphold democracy within our newsroom.

6. This Code of Ethics shall take effect on 20 August 2018.

Editorial Direction and Core Values

While upholding the duty of science journalism, we preserve the values of traditional media while shaping the future of digital journalism. Our paramount values are transparency, integrity, a spirit of challenge, courage, fairness, the sharing of experience, and community responsibility.

1) Editorial Direction

The Modern Atlas provides news edited directly by our staff, ensuring that article placement is conducted fairly and free from private interests. We utilise diverse visual information and consistent design to make scientific articles accessible. We seek innovative ways for readers to consume news and participate in journalism.

2) Core Values

  • Integrity: All content is rooted in fact- and data-based reporting. We ensure the flawlessness of text, data, and even imagery to provide readers with accurate information.
  • Transparency & Fairness: We incorporate diverse voices from within and outside the scientific community, listening to the field to help readers make informed judgements.
  • Challenge & Courage: We adopt the mindset of an explorer, venturing directly into the field to uncover truths and propose alternatives through on-site reporting.
  • Sharing Experience & Community: We foster intellectual curiosity and encourage participation in science journalism. By utilising digital tools—high-quality imagery, precise captions, video, and infographics—we build deep relationships with our diverse audience.