The Gazelle follows a code of ethics to ensure fair and accurate journalism is practiced in accordance with the laws of the UAE. The following is adapted from the Code of Ethics of the Gulf News and the UAE journalism code of ethics:
Respect the truth and the right of the public to have access to truthful and accurate information.
While performing his or her duty, the journalist is demanded to commit at all times to the principles of freedom and integrity in gathering and publishing stories. He or she should also voice fair and neutral comments and criticism.
A journalist must only publish facts from known sources, and must not hide any basic or important information, forge facts or falsify documents.
He or she should use only legitimate means to obtain information, photos and documents from original sources.
Journalists should undertake to rectify any published information that proved to be false.
There should be no compromise in credibility.
Journalists should respect the privacy of individuals. If personal conduct conflicts with public interest, such conduct may be covered without violating the privacy of uninvolved individuals, to the extent that this is possible.
In regards to sources, the code and charter stress that professionalism and confidentiality should be strictly observed if the source demands anonymity.
Journalists should not seek to provoke or inflame public feelings by any means, or use means of excitement and deception or dishonest reporting. They should not use media for the purpose of libel or slandering.
The edited publications should not be influenced by personal interests or businesses with a third party. Publishers and editors-in-chief must turn down any such attempts, and draw a clear line between reported stories and commercial articles or publications.
Journalists should be very vigilant to traps of discrimination and avoid involving themselves by any means in any stories hinting to discrimination of race, sex, language, faith or national and social backgrounds.
Journalists must strive to be impartial in reporting and avoid conflicts of interest with their stories.
The media should refrain from publishing photos that are very graphic or violent in nature.
Journalists are urged to avoid using obscene or offensive language in their reports.
Islam is a basic and important component of UAE culture, values and traditions, and the respect of religious and traditional values is crucial for sensitive publishing.
Human rights should be respected and valued by the media.
Plagiarism, ill-intention interpretation, libel, slandering, censure, defamation, allegation and accepting bribery to publish or hide information are all dangerous professional violations.
When using facts found in news publications, journalists must give credit to the original publication.
Competing for news, pictures and information is a right, provided practicing such competition is honest and clear and does not hinder the work of colleagues in competing publications.
A journalist has to do his or her best not to become part of a story, and to cover news not make it. While gathering information, a journalist may not present himself as anything other than a journalist.
Journalists must not acquire information or pictures through harassment, temptation or violence.
Accepting valuable cash and kind gifts may cause a journalist to be biased in his coverage and is considered a breach of the code.
Published March 2013. Updated January 2014.