Editorial Ethics

The reputation of Madreperla.mx rests on the integrity of our journalists. Our first loyalty is to the public and the truth. This Code of Ethics outlines the professional conduct expected of every staff member, freelancer, and contributor who produces content for our publication.

1. Integrity and Financial Independence

To maintain the trust of our readers, we must remain free from outside influence.

  • Gifts and Gratuities: Staff members are prohibited from accepting gifts, cash, or valuable items from sources, teams, athletes, or advertisers.

  • Tickets and Travel: We do not accept free travel or accommodation from the teams or leagues we cover. We pay our own way. If a reporter attends a game using a press credential, it is solely for working purposes, not for entertainment.

  • Investments: Journalists may not report on a company or sports organization in which they or their immediate family hold a significant financial interest.

2. Conflicts of Interest

Real or perceived conflicts of interest must be disclosed or avoided entirely.

  • Political Involvement: While our journalists are citizens with the right to vote, they must not actively campaign, donate to, or work for political candidates or advocacy groups that overlap with their coverage areas.

  • Personal Relationships: If a journalist has a close personal relationship with a source, coach, or player, they must disclose this to their editor and recuse themselves from covering that specific subject.

3. Social Media Conduct

We encourage our journalists to be active on social media, but they must remember they represent Madreperla.mx at all times.

  • Civility: We do not engage in online harassment, trolling, or hate speech.

  • Verification: Breaking news should be published on our official website first, not tweeted out as a rumor. Journalists must verify facts before sharing them on personal accounts.

  • Opinions: Reporters should distinguish between factual reporting and personal opinion. A “Retweet” or “Share” can be interpreted as an endorsement, so care must be taken.

4. Treatment of Sources and Subjects

We treat the people we cover with decency and fairness.

  • Privacy: We respect the privacy of athletes and public figures, especially regarding their families and children, unless there is a compelling public interest (e.g., criminal conduct).

  • Compassion: When covering injuries, tragedies, or sensitive legal matters, we approach subjects with empathy and minimize harm. We do not ambush victims of trauma.

  • Fair Opportunity: If we publish a story that criticizes a person or organization, we make a genuine effort to contact them and provide them an opportunity to respond before publication.

5. Advertising and Commercial Pressure

The separation between our newsroom and our business operations is absolute.

  • The “Church and State” Rule: Our sales team has no influence over editorial decisions. We do not kill stories to please advertisers, nor do we write puff pieces to attract them.

  • Sponsored Content: Any content paid for by a third party will be clearly labeled as “Sponsored,” “Advertorial,” or “Partner Content” so that readers can easily distinguish it from independent journalism.

6. Accountability

We hold ourselves accountable to these standards. Violations of this code are taken seriously and may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination.

If you suspect a breach of our ethical standards, please report it immediately.

Madreperla.mx 15501 NE-31 Springfield, NE 68059, USA Email: contact@madreperla.mx (Please use Subject Line: Ethics Violation Report)