Purpose:
NGO InTheBaltic is a news outlet led by a professional journalist’s for Russian and Polish speakers, national minorities in Baltic countries on the local and hyper-local level. InTheBaltic mission is to build a friendly media environment, free from disinformation, clickbait, for national minorities by creating content in Russian and Polish languages, cooperation with local communities. We seek to tell stories ignored by big national media. Our goal is to act as the hub for journalists-freelancers in Lithuania. Content:
The InTheBaltic editor’s reserve’s the right to make all decisions and editorial changes on content (final decisions belongs to the editor-in-chief). Story tips from the local community’s are more than welcome, but coverage is not guaranteed. The Pulse staff reserves the right to define article parameters based off of timeliness, relevance and significance.
Five Core Principles of Journalism:
1. Truth and Accuracy
Journalists cannot always guarantee „truth”, but getting the facts right is the cardinal principle of journalism. We should always strive for accuracy, give all the relevant facts we have and ensure that they have been checked. When we cannot corroborate information, we should say so.
2. Independence
Journalists must be independent voices; we should not act, formally or informally, on behalf of special interests, whether political, corporate or cultural. We should declare to our editors – or the audience – any of our political affiliations, financial arrangements or other personal information that might constitute a conflict of interest.
3. Fairness and Impartiality
Most stories have at least two sides. While there is no obligation to present every team in every piece, stories should be balanced and add context. Objectivity is not always possible, and may not always be desirable (in the face for example of brutality or inhumanity), but impartial reporting builds trust and confidence.
4. Humanity
Journalists should do no harm. What we publish or broadcast may be hurtful, but we should be aware of the impact of our words and images on the lives of others.
5. Accountability
A sure sign of professionalism and responsible journalism is the ability to hold ourselves accountable. When we commit errors, we must correct them, and our expressions of regret must be sincere, not cynical. We listen to the concerns of our audience. We may not change what readers write or say, but we will always provide remedies when we are unfair.
Timeline:
Potential stories produced by InTheBaltic journalists must issue must be within a week of publication. If stories cover actual events or incidents, they have to be published immediately.
Relevance:
Potential stories, news and video movies must relate to actual events of Lithuania community on the national level and actual for national minorities on a local or hyperlocal level. Significance:
The editors reserve the right to distinguish between essential topics the community would benefit from reading.
Online:
The InTheBaltic website (inbaltic.lt) is maintained by InTheBaltic staff and all content posted is objective. Anyone wishing to repost an article must have permission from the Editor-in-Chief and must mention the article first appeared on inbaltic.lt
Pitching Stories:
All story tips promoting upcoming or recurring events will be directed to our advertising team. When pitching story ideas to InTheBaltic, there must be an angle for the story, something that sets it apart or unique.
Questions that for example must be answered:
Why should it care?
Why should we care NOW? Is it new?
Is it unusual?
Is there a human interest angle?
Is there a trend?
Story Screening:
The InTheBaltic staff is not allowed to screen any stories before an article is published without permission from the Editor-in-Chief.
Editorials:
All editorials are from the perspective of the writer and in no way reflects the opinions of InTheBaltic.
Columnists:
The content of columns is presumed to be the opinion of the columnists and not necessarily that of the editors. While the editors respect the rights of the columnists to express their opinions, the editors will apply to the columns the same editorial standards applied to other parts of the portal.
Bylines:
All articles and photographs carry a byline.
Errors:
All factual errors brought to the attention of InTheBaltic staff will be corrected in the following issue. All corrections for any particular section will be written under the publication.
Advertising:
Content
The InTheBaltic reserves the right to decline advertising in order to protect readers from fraudulent claims, maintain a high level of journalistic integrity and adhere to guidelines and InTheBaltic Editorial Policy. InTheBaltic does not accept nor advertising nor articles which, in its view: degrades either sex; contains attacks of a sexist, racist, personal or religious nature; makes exaggerated or deceptive offers; is of unusual layout size; or, may be confused with regular news material in appearance.