Code of Ethics for Digital News Websites

Preamble

Rashtra Bharat is committed to responsible digital journalism that upholds constitutional values, protects press freedom under Article 19(1)(a), and serves the public interest with accuracy, integrity and independence.
This Code of Ethics reflects our voluntary commitment to the highest standards of digital news publishing, while preserving complete editorial autonomy.

The objective of this Code is to establish ethical guidelines, professional norms, and accountability principles for news content published on RashtraBharat.com, without interfering in day-to-day editorial operations.

1. Adherence to Laws of the Land

Rashtra Bharat abides by:

• The Constitution of India

• All media-related laws including IPC, CrPC, IT Act 2000, Copyright Act, POCSO, Juvenile Justice Act, Defamation Laws, etc.

• Any applicable rules and regulatory guidelines issued by competent authorities

2. Journalistic Integrity & Professional Standards

• We uphold truthfulness, transparency, and impartiality in all reporting.

• Pre-publication fact verification is mandatory.

• Sensationalism, misinformation or deliberate distortion is strictly prohibited.

• Editorial decisions remain independent of political, commercial, or personal influence.

3. Accuracy, Transparency & Fairness

• No unverified, baseless or misleading information shall be published.

• Headlines and featured images will not misrepresent the content.

• Wherever possible, sources will be attributed and cross-verified.

4. Right of Reply

a. Allegations or reports concerning individuals, groups, or institutions must include their version or response.

b. If their response is received after publication, the article shall be updated appropriately with date of modification.

5. Correction, Update & Take-Down Policy

• Upon receiving proof of inaccuracy from an affected party, Rashtra Bharat will edit, clarify, or delete the relevant portion after verification.

• If an entire report is found baseless or incorrect, it shall be removed entirely with due acknowledgment.

6. Respect for Intellectual Property Rights

• Copyrights, Trademarks, and proprietary content owned by others shall not be reproduced without permission or fair-use justification.

• Attribution and royalty obligations shall be honored wherever required.

• Upon receiving IP infringement notification with valid proof, the concerned content will be edited or removed.

7. Responsible Reporting on Crime & Sensitive Matters

• Presumption of innocence shall be maintained until conviction.

• Reporting shall remain fact-based, avoiding unnecessary speculation or character assassination.

• Identity of victims, minors, or vulnerable individuals shall not be revealed without lawful approval.

8. Special Guidelines for Reporting Sexual, Communal & Socially Sensitive Issues

• Compliance with Sections 67, 67A & 67B of the IT Act, POCSO, and related laws is mandatory.

• No publication of obscene, explicit, or child-related sexual content.

• In cases involving rape, child abuse, domestic violence, matrimonial or custody disputes, extreme caution must be exercised.

• Reporting of communal or religious disputes must be strictly neutral, fact-based, and aimed at promoting harmony, not division.

9. Grievance Redressal Mechanism

As an intermediary where applicable, Rashtra Bharat follows Section 79 of IT Act and the Intermediary Guidelines Rules (2021/2011).

• A Grievance Officer is appointed and contact details are displayed publicly.

• Complaints will be acknowledged within 36 hours and addressed within 30 days.

10. Training and Editorial Awareness

Rashtra Bharat conducts internal sessions for editorial and content staff on:

• Legal and ethical responsibilities

• Fair reporting on courts, law enforcement and judicial matters

• Privacy, defamation, caste, gender or minority-related sensitivities

• Guidelines on correct representation of marginalized voices

Commitment to Readers

Rashtra Bharat pledges to:

Uphold truth over sensationalism
Report without fear or favor
Protect public interest and constitutional dignity
Maintain complete editorial independence