What are the best strategies for avoiding conflicts of interest when reporting on a particular topic?

1 Disclose any potential conflicts

The first and most important strategy is to disclose any potential conflicts of interest to your editor, your audience, and your sources. Transparency is essential for building trust and accountability. If you have any financial, political, social, or emotional ties to a topic or a person you are covering, you should make them clear and explain how they might affect your reporting. For example, if you are writing about a company that you own shares in, or a politician that you have donated to, or a friend that you have interviewed, you should state that in your article or report.

2 Recuse yourself if necessary

Sometimes, disclosing a conflict of interest is not enough to ensure impartiality and fairness. In some cases, you might need to recuse yourself from a story and let someone else cover it. This is especially true if your involvement or interest in the topic is so significant that it could compromise your judgment or create a perception of bias. For example, if you are related to a person who is accused of a crime, or if you are a member of an organization that is involved in a controversy, or if you have a personal stake in the outcome of a story, you should avoid reporting on it.

3 Seek diverse and credible sources

Another strategy to avoid conflicts of interest is to seek diverse and credible sources for your story. You should not rely on a single source or a source that has a vested interest in the topic. You should also verify the information and claims that your sources provide, and challenge them if necessary. You should seek out sources that represent different perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences, and give them equal opportunity to share their views. You should also acknowledge any limitations or gaps in your sourcing, and invite feedback and corrections from your audience.

4 Separate facts from opinions

A fourth strategy to avoid conflicts of interest is to separate facts from opinions in your reporting. You should not insert your own opinions, beliefs, or preferences into your story, unless you are writing an opinion piece or a commentary. You should also not use loaded or suggestive language, or imply or endorse a certain position or agenda. You should present the facts as accurately and objectively as possible, and attribute them to reliable and verifiable sources. You should also distinguish between facts and opinions of your sources, and use quotation marks, paraphrasing, or attribution tags to indicate who said what.

5 Follow ethical codes and standards

A final strategy to avoid conflicts of interest is to follow ethical codes and standards of journalism. These are guidelines and principles that can help you uphold your professional values and responsibilities. They can also help you resolve any ethical dilemmas or challenges that you might face in your reporting. There are different ethical codes and standards for different media outlets, organizations, and countries, but some common elements include honesty, accuracy, fairness, independence, accountability, and respect. You should familiarize yourself with the ethical codes and standards that apply to your work, and consult them when in doubt.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?