1. Purpose and Editorial Commitment

SurgeZirc Media is committed to producing journalism that is accurate, fair, independent, transparent and relevant to the communities and audiences it serves.

This Newsroom Policy & Standards document establishes the principles and professional practices that guide SurgeZirc journalists, editors, contributors, correspondents and other editorial personnel in gathering, verifying, producing, publishing and distributing news and information.

These standards apply across SurgeZirc Media's digital publications, websites, social media channels, newsletters, multimedia platforms and other editorial products.

This is a living policy. Journalism operates in a constantly changing environment, and these standards may be reviewed and updated as new technologies, publishing practices, legal considerations and audience expectations develop.

These standards provide a framework for professional judgement. They are not intended to anticipate every situation that may arise in journalism. Where circumstances are unclear, journalists and editors should consult newsroom leadership before publication.

2. Editorial Independence

SurgeZirc Media's journalism must remain independent from commercial, political, personal and other interests that could improperly influence editorial decisions.

Editorial decisions must be based on news value, public interest, accuracy, relevance and responsible journalism — not on payment, pressure, personal relationships or the interests of advertisers, sponsors, sources or subjects.

Journalists and editors must avoid both actual conflicts of interest and situations that could reasonably create the appearance of a conflict.

2.1 Gifts and Benefits

Editorial personnel should not accept gifts, favours, preferential treatment, free travel, accommodation, entertainment or other benefits from people or organisations they cover when doing so could compromise, or appear to compromise, their independence.

Reasonable hospitality associated with legitimate journalistic activity may sometimes be unavoidable. Where there is uncertainty, the matter should be disclosed to an editor before acceptance.

2.2 Payments and Outside Work

Journalists and editors must not accept payments, expenses, honoraria or other benefits from a person, company, organisation, political group or institution that they cover when such arrangements could compromise editorial independence.

Outside assignments, freelance work, speaking engagements or consulting arrangements must not create an obligation to a source, subject or organisation covered by SurgeZirc Media.

2.3 Political and Advocacy Activities

Newsroom personnel should avoid active participation in political or advocacy activities where that participation could reasonably call their editorial independence into question.

Employees should disclose relevant relationships, outside activities or circumstances that could affect — or appear to affect — their ability to report or edit a story fairly.

3. Accuracy and Verification

Accuracy is fundamental to SurgeZirc Media's credibility.

Journalists are responsible for verifying information before publication and for distinguishing clearly between established facts, allegations, claims, analysis, opinion and speculation.

Information should be checked against reliable sources, documents, direct observation or other appropriate evidence.

The importance and sensitivity of a story should determine the level of verification required.

Breaking news may sometimes require publication before every detail is available. In such circumstances, journalists must clearly identify what is known, what remains unconfirmed and where the information originated.

3.1 Fact-Checking

Before publication, journalists and editors should verify: Names and titles, dates, times and locations, figures, statistics and financial information, quotes and their context, claims and allegations, documents and source material, links and references, photographs, videos and other media, information obtained from social media or third parties.

Where a significant fact cannot be independently confirmed, the story should make that limitation clear.

3.2 Editorial Review

Stories may be reviewed by editors before publication. The level of editorial review may vary according to the story's complexity, urgency, sensitivity, legal implications and public significance.

Editors may review the story's: Accuracy, fairness, structure, attribution, headline, images and captions, legal and ethical considerations, compliance with SurgeZirc editorial standards.

4. Fairness and Right of Reply

Fairness requires more than presenting two opposing statements. It requires journalists to provide readers with an accurate, relevant and honest account of the available information.

A story should not omit facts that are materially important to understanding the subject.

Journalists should avoid irrelevant information that distracts from significant facts or unfairly influences the reader's understanding.

Information should be presented in context and should not deliberately or carelessly mislead readers.

4.1 Right of Reply

When a person, company or organisation is the subject of serious allegations, criticism or potentially damaging claims, SurgeZirc Media should make reasonable efforts to give that party an opportunity to respond.

Where a response is not received before publication, the story should make this clear where relevant.

A subject's refusal or inability to comment does not automatically prevent publication when the information has sufficient public interest and has otherwise been properly verified.

5. Sources and Attribution

SurgeZirc Media seeks to be transparent about where information comes from.

Facts, quotations, images, documents and other material obtained from external sources should be appropriately attributed.

Readers should be able to distinguish between: Information gathered directly by a SurgeZirc journalist, Information supplied by a source, information obtained from documents, information reported by another media organisation, information obtained from public records or online sources, statements made by individuals or organisations.

Original reporting is strongly valued. Where another publication has developed a significant story, SurgeZirc Media should give appropriate credit when reporting on that material.

Plagiarism is prohibited.

6. Anonymous and Confidential Sources

Named sources are preferred because they allow readers to assess the credibility and relevance of information for themselves.

Anonymous sources may be used when there is a legitimate journalistic reason for protecting the person's identity and when the information is sufficiently important to publication.

Anonymity should not be granted automatically.

Before agreeing to protect a source's identity, journalists should consider: Why the source requires confidentiality, whether the source has direct knowledge, whether the information can be independently verified, whether another source can provide the information on the record, whether the public interest justifies publication, whether publication could unfairly harm another person.

Where an anonymous source is used, the story should provide as much useful context as possible about the source's relationship to the information without revealing the person's identity.

Editors should normally know the identity of confidential sources used in significant stories.

7. Dealing With Sources

Journalists must deal honestly and professionally with sources.

When approaching a source, journalists should identify themselves accurately and should not misrepresent their identity, occupation or purpose.

Sources should not be deliberately deceived about how information will be used.

When a person is the subject of a story, journalists should make reasonable efforts to obtain their response.

Journalists should not promise a source that information will not be independently investigated or that further reporting will not take place.

Statements should be quoted accurately and in context. Journalists should not deliberately manipulate quotations to change their meaning.

8. Interview Ground Rules

Unless otherwise agreed before an interview, conversations with journalists should be presumed to be on the record.

If a source wishes to establish different terms, the journalist should clarify those terms before accepting information.

SurgeZirc Media recognises the following general categories:

On the Record

Information may be quoted and attributed to the source by name.

On Background / Not for Attribution

Information may be used, but the source's identity is not disclosed. The journalist and source should agree on how the source will be described.

Deep Background

Information may be used without direct attribution to the source. Because this provides little transparency to readers, it should be avoided where possible.

Off the Record

Information provided genuinely off the record should not be published or used as the basis of reporting unless the source subsequently agrees to different terms.

Because these terms can be interpreted differently, journalists should establish the meaning clearly before an interview or discussion proceeds.

9. Quotations and Source Material

SurgeZirc Media's objective is to reproduce a source's words and intended meaning accurately.

Quotes must not be materially altered to create a meaning the speaker did not intend.

Sources should not normally be given control over published stories.

A source may be contacted to clarify factual or technical matters, but editorial control remains with SurgeZirc Media.

Drafts should not ordinarily be provided to outside sources for approval before publication.

Where highly technical material requires specialist review for factual accuracy, an editor may authorise limited review of relevant passages. Such review must not become an opportunity for the source to control the story.

10. Original Reporting and Attribution

SurgeZirc Media encourages journalists to gather information directly whenever reasonably possible.

If a journalist did not personally witness an event, the story should not imply that they did.

Descriptions based on witness accounts, documents, recordings, social media posts or other third-party material should be attributed appropriately.

When significant reporting has been contributed by another journalist, correspondent, freelancer or contributor, appropriate credit should be provided.

11. Opinion, Analysis and Editorial Content

SurgeZirc Media distinguishes journalism from opinion and analysis.

News reporting should primarily present verified information and relevant context.

Where a story contains interpretation, analysis or commentary, its presentation should make the nature of that material clear to readers.

Analysis

Analysis interprets events using verified information, evidence, historical context, data or expert assessment.

Perspective

Perspective presents a particular viewpoint or experience on a news topic and should be clearly identified as such.

Opinion

Opinion expresses an argument, position or viewpoint and should be presented separately from straight news reporting.

Review

A review represents a professional or editorial assessment of a product, service, performance, artistic work or other subject.

Labels should be used consistently so readers understand the nature of the content they are consuming.

12. Taste, Decency and Graphic Content

SurgeZirc Media recognises that standards of taste and decency change over time and may differ across communities and cultures.

Journalists should avoid gratuitous profanity, obscenity, graphic material and unnecessarily disturbing descriptions.

Potentially offensive or disturbing material may be published where there is a legitimate and significant public-interest reason.

Where appropriate, readers should be warned before encountering graphic or disturbing images, video or other material.

Graphic content must never be used merely to attract attention or increase engagement.

13. Social Media and Digital Platforms

Social media is an important reporting, distribution and audience-engagement tool.

However, journalists and editorial staff should remember that public activity on social platforms may affect how audiences perceive both the individual journalist and SurgeZirc Media.

Content posted, shared, reposted, liked or amplified by newsroom personnel should not undermine the organisation's commitment to accurate, fair and independent journalism.

Journalists should consider whether their social-media activity could reasonably create doubts about their ability to report a subject fairly.

13.1 Professional Conduct

Journalists should: Remain professional and respectful. Avoid personal attacks. Avoid deliberately inflammatory exchanges. Verify information before amplifying it. Correct significant errors. Protect confidential sources and information. Avoid revealing unpublished newsroom decisions. Avoid using their editorial position for personal benefit.

13.2 Confidential Newsroom Information

Internal editorial discussions, unpublished stories, reporting plans, source identities, editorial decisions and confidential business information must not be disclosed publicly without appropriate authorisation.

14. Journalist Safety and Online Harassment

SurgeZirc Media recognises that journalists may face harassment, intimidation, threats or coordinated online abuse.

Journalists should report serious threats or harassment to newsroom leadership as soon as reasonably possible.

Journalists should not be expected to engage directly with people making threats.

Where appropriate, newsroom leadership may assist with documenting incidents, assessing risks and determining an appropriate response.

Journalists should not retaliate against people who threaten or harass them.

15. Corrections and Updates

SurgeZirc Media recognises that mistakes can occur despite careful reporting.

When a material error is identified, it should be corrected as soon as reasonably possible.

Corrections should be transparent and should clearly communicate what was incorrect and, where appropriate, what the correct information is.

Corrections should not be hidden merely because the original error has received attention.

Significant updates to developing stories should also be clearly reflected in the published article where necessary.

The objective is not to conceal mistakes but to maintain an accurate and trustworthy record for readers.

16. Diversity and Representation

SurgeZirc Media seeks to reflect the diversity of the communities and audiences it serves.

Journalists should make reasonable efforts to include a broad range of relevant voices in reporting.

This includes seeking perspectives from people directly affected by the events and issues being reported, rather than relying exclusively on officials, established commentators or frequently quoted experts.

Diversity in sourcing should be pursued where it contributes meaningfully to a more complete and accurate understanding of a story.

17. Expert Sources

Experts can provide valuable context, technical knowledge and interpretation.

Journalists should assess whether an individual is genuinely qualified to speak on the subject being covered.

Where appropriate, journalists should seek more than one expert perspective rather than repeatedly relying on the same commentators.

Expert status should not be assumed solely because a person has a prominent title, large following or public profile.

The relevance, expertise and independence of a source should be considered when deciding whether to quote them.

18. Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technology

SurgeZirc Media recognises that artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies can assist journalists and editors while also creating significant risks.

AI may be used as a supporting tool for appropriate editorial tasks, including research assistance, document analysis, transcription, translation, organisation of information, idea generation and other approved newsroom functions.

However, AI-generated information must not be treated as automatically accurate.

Human editorial judgement and verification remain essential.

18.1 AI Standards

SurgeZirc Media requires that: Journalists verify factual information obtained through AI tools. AI must not replace editorial judgement. Confidential or sensitive source information must not be entered into AI systems without appropriate authorisation and safeguards. AI-generated quotations must never be presented as genuine quotations. AI must not be used to fabricate facts, events or sources.

Material generated or substantially altered by AI should be disclosed where its use could materially affect the audience's understanding of the content. AI-generated images, video or other visuals that could reasonably be mistaken for authentic depictions of real events must be clearly identified.

The use of AI does not transfer responsibility for published material away from the journalist or editor. The newsroom remains responsible for the accuracy and integrity of its published work.

19. Newsroom Conduct

SurgeZirc Media journalists and editors are expected to conduct themselves professionally in their dealings with: Sources, colleagues, readers, public officials, businesses and organisations, other media organisations, members of the public.

Journalists should not use their professional position to obtain personal benefits, special treatment or preferential access unrelated to legitimate journalistic purposes.

The newsroom's credibility depends not only on published stories but also on how journalists conduct themselves while gathering information.

20. Public Interest

SurgeZirc Media recognises the importance of journalism in informing the public about matters that affect individuals, communities, businesses and society.

Claims of public interest should be assessed carefully rather than assumed merely because a story is popular, controversial or widely discussed.

Public interest may include information relevant to: Public safety, accountability, government and public institutions, business and economic activity, consumer interests, significant social issues, public resources, corporate conduct, matters affecting communities, significant developments that readers reasonably need to understand.

Public interest does not automatically justify inaccurate, intrusive or unfair reporting.

21. Transparency

SurgeZirc Media seeks to be transparent with its audience about how journalism is produced.

Where relevant, readers should be able to understand: Where important information came from. Whether information has been independently verified. Whether a source is anonymous and why. Whether an article is news, analysis, opinion or another form of editorial content.

When significant corrections have been made. When external reporting has contributed substantially to a story. When AI or other emerging technology has materially contributed to published content.

Transparency strengthens accountability and helps audiences make informed judgments about the information they receive.

22. Editorial Responsibility

The responsibility for maintaining these standards rests with SurgeZirc Media's newsroom leadership, editors and journalists.

Editors are responsible for providing appropriate guidance when questions arise regarding: Accuracy, fairness, attribution, source protection, conflicts of interest, legal or ethical concerns, use of anonymous sources, graphic or sensitive content, AI-generated or AI-assisted material, corrections.

When a journalist is uncertain about whether material meets these standards, the issue should be raised with an editor before publication whenever circumstances permit.

23. Living Editorial Standard

These standards are intended to provide a durable foundation for SurgeZirc Media journalism while allowing the newsroom to respond responsibly to changes in technology, law, audience behaviour and professional practice.

No policy can anticipate every editorial circumstance.

When a situation is not specifically addressed by this document, journalists and editors should apply the principles that underpin SurgeZirc Media's newsroom:

Accuracy. Fairness. Independence. Verification. Attribution. Transparency. Accountability. Public interest.

The objective is straightforward: to produce journalism that readers can understand, scrutinise and trust.