Editorial Standards
Mission Statement
AMAKA studio is a digital multimedia publisher dedicated to developing content for women, by women from Africa and the African diaspora. AMAKA strives to be a multimedia platform that develops and curates nuanced topics ranging from fashion, beauty, entertainment, politics, social issues, women’s rights and empowerment as well as arts and culture.
With few platforms solely dedicated to capturing authentic stories from the continent, AMAKA aims to fll the gap by adopting a digital-frst, multidisciplinary and cross-cultural approach to content creation, storytelling and editorial production, offering our audience with purposeful and insightful stories that represent various African and Afro-diasporic women communities. We serve the vision and voice of the modern African woman.
Voice and Tone
We are deliberate, but not rigid. We are smart, but not pretentious. We are cultured, but not inaccessible. We welcome academic-style writing that is digestible for online readership. If the content is informational, use a conversational tone. If we are discussing social issues, use a self-assured tone. If we are discussing entertainment, use an inviting tone.
ETHICS
AMAKA abides by the Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics’ four principles as the foundation of ethical journalism and encourages their use in its practice by all people in all media.
SEEK TRUTH AND REPORT IT
Ethical journalism should be accurate and fair. Journalists should be honest and courageous in gathering, reporting and interpreting information.
Journalists should:
- Take responsibility for the accuracy of their work. Verify information before releasing it. Use original sources whenever possible.
- Remember that neither speed nor format excuses inaccuracy.
- Provide context. Take special care not to misrepresent or oversimplify in promoting, previewing or summarizing a story.
- Gather, update and correct information throughout the life of a news story.
- Be cautious when making promises, but keep the promises they make.
- Identify sources clearly. The public is entitled to as much information as possible to judge the reliability and motivations of sources.
- Consider sources’ motives before promising anonymity. Reserve anonymity for sources who may face danger, retribution or other harm, and have information that cannot be obtained elsewhere. Explain why anonymity was granted.
- Diligently seek subjects of news coverage to allow them to respond to criticism or allegations of wrongdoing.
- Be vigilant and courageous about holding those with power accountable. Give voice to the voiceless.
- Recognize a special obligation to serve as watchdogs over public affairs and government. Seek to ensure that the public’s business is conducted in the open, and that public records are open to all.
- Provide access to source material when it is relevant and appropriate.
- Boldly tell the story of the diversity and magnitude of the human experience. Seek sources whose voices we seldom hear.
- Avoid stereotyping. Journalists should examine the ways their values and experiences may shape their reporting.
- Label advocacy and commentary.
- Never deliberately distort facts or context, including visual information. Clearly label illustrations and re-enactments.
- Never plagiarize. Always attribute, quote, cite, and source.
MINIMIZE HARM
Ethical journalism treats sources, subjects, colleagues and members of the public as human beings deserving of respect.
Journalists should:
- Balance the public’s need for information against potential harm or discomfort. Pursuit of the news is not a license for arrogance or undue intrusiveness.
- Show compassion for those who may be affected by news coverage. Use heightened sensitivity when dealing with juveniles, victims of sex crimes, and sources or subjects who are inexperienced or unable to give consent. Consider cultural differences in approach and treatment.
- Recognize that legal access to information differs from an ethical justification to publish or broadcast.
- Realize that private people have a greater right to control information about themselves than public figures and others who seek power, influence or attention. Weigh the consequences of publishing or broadcasting personal information.
- Avoid pandering to lurid curiosity, even if others do.
- Balance a suspect’s right to a fair trial with the public’s right to know. Consider the implications of identifying criminal suspects before they face legal charges.
- Consider the long-term implications of the extended reach and permanence of publication. Provide updated and more complete information as appropriate.
ACT INDEPENDENTLY
The highest and primary obligation of ethical journalism is to serve the public.
Journalists should:
- Avoid conflicts of interest, real or perceived. Disclose unavoidable conflicts.
- Refuse gifts, favors, fees, free travel and special treatment, and avoid political and other outside activities that may compromise integrity or impartiality, or may damage credibility.
- Be wary of sources offering information for favors or money; do not pay for access to news. Identify content provided by outside sources, whether paid or not.
- Deny favored treatment to advertisers, donors or any other special interests, and resist internal and external pressure to influence coverage.
- Distinguish news from advertising and shun hybrids that blur the lines between the two. Prominently label sponsored content.
BE ACCOUNTABLE AND TRANSPARENT
Ethical journalism means taking responsibility for one’s work and explaining one’s decisions to the public.
Journalists should:
- Explain ethical choices and processes to audiences. Encourage a civil dialogue with the public about journalistic practices, coverage and news content.
- Respond quickly to questions about accuracy, clarity and fairness.
- Acknowledge mistakes and correct them promptly and prominently.Explain corrections and clarifications carefully and clearly.
- Expose unethical conduct in journalism
- Abide by the same high standards they expect of others.
IMAGES AND VIDEOS
- We will not post gruesome videos of violence or graphic injury attached to news stories. Unless the content at hand is inextricably tied to the story, we will then post the images with a content warning and blurred images.
EDITORIAL EXECUTIVE DECISIONS
- AMAKA will not formally endorse any political candidates.
- Amidst political or social unrest, humanitarian crises, or any critical matters that warrant it, AMAKA will make staunch editorial stances via a public statement and/or public letter from the Editor In Chief and/or CEO detailing our stance and or addressing what we will or will not cover, how, and why.
Branded Content + Affliate Marketing
- When writing branded content, AMAKA will explicitly ensure that the brand name is mentioned within the introduction and header.
- AMAKA will add branded content tags to the piece of content to maintain transparency.
- AMAKA will note that the content is produced by the specified brand via logo placement or in a short description.
- When writing service journalism pieces with affiliate links, AMAKA will highlight that the publication may receive a commission for each sale that the link generates.
Product Selection + Reviews/Recommendations
- Product reviews/recommendations will be thoroughly researched for curated lists/service pieces.
- Product reviews/recommendations will be updated to reflect accuracy.
- Wherever possible, AMAKA will explicitly note that it is not affiliated with spotlighted products, and listicles have been curated and developed independently.
- AMAKA will ensure companies mentioned are reliable and are known to have good customer service.
- Sources to track recalls
