Code of Ethics for Journalism

Preamble

Citizen Watch Bharat (CWB) is committed to principled, independent, and civic-driven journalism. Our goal is to empower citizens with verified, transparent, and unbiased information while protecting constitutional freedoms under Article 19(1)(a) and other fundamental rights.

We maintain full editorial autonomy and reject any external influence on our news judgment and content.

Core Principles

  • Accuracy & Fairness

    Avoid publication of inaccurate, baseless, or distorted material. All stories undergo rigorous pre-publication verification and fact-checking.

  • Independence

    Editorial decisions remain free from political, commercial, or vested interests.

  • Transparency

    Our reporting processes, sources, and corrections are transparent to maintain public trust.

Right of Reply

Individuals or entities mentioned in allegations or critical reports shall have a fair opportunity to respond.

Updates or corrections, once received and verified, will be incorporated promptly with clear timestamps.

Corrections, Edits & Takedowns

Content found to be factually incorrect will be corrected, edited, or removed entirely when required.

Requests must include verifiable supporting documents. Upon validation, corrective action will be taken promptly.

Respect for Intellectual Property Rights

Copyright, trademarks, and service marks of third parties are respected.

Permission is sought or fair use compliance ensured before using copyrighted material.

Proven IPR infringement will be addressed through edits, acknowledgments, or takedowns.

Reporting on Sensitive Issues

  • Presumption of Innocence

    Crime and judicial reporting avoids speculation or prejudgment.

  • Sensitive Cases

    Sexual harassment, child abuse, domestic violence, and communal disputes are reported with dignity, restraint, and fact-based neutrality.

  • Minors & Victims

    Identities of minors and victims are strictly protected, including avoidance of identifiable photographs or personal details.

  • Communal Harmony

    Reports relating to religion, caste, or communal conflict undergo strict fact verification and are framed to promote peace and harmony.

Legal & Regulatory Compliance

Citizen Watch Bharat adheres to:

  • The Constitution of India
  • The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023
  • The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023
  • The Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), 2023
  • The Information Technology Act, 2000 and allied digital laws
  • Civil and criminal defamation norms, including safe harbor provisions for digital intermediaries

Grievance Redressal

Citizen Watch Bharat operates a transparent grievance mechanism.

Complaints are acknowledged within 36 hours and resolved within one month.

The contact details of the Grievance Officer are published on our platform.

Training & Awareness

We conduct regular training for our editorial teams covering:

  • Constitutional provisions and media-specific laws
  • Ethical reporting of gender, caste, workplace harassment, minors, and vulnerable groups
  • Responsible coverage of judiciary, legislature, and public interest matters

Privacy & Respect for Individuals

We respect personal privacy, particularly for those outside public life.

Publication of private details is avoided unless overwhelmingly justified by public interest.

Commitment

Citizen Watch Bharat pledges to uphold journalism that is civic in purpose, ethical in approach, and democratic in spirit.

We see journalism not merely as a profession but as a public service demanding integrity, humility, and accountability.