Social Media Ethics Pledge

Code of Ethics / Best Practices for Social Media Users and Journalists

1. I will pause and process my emotions before posting or sharing anything that triggers anxiety, fear, outrage, pain, or guilt in me.
   It is good practice to ‘own your triggers’ – take personal responsibility for your emotional reactions when faced with something that evokes a strong emotional response.
   
2. I will strive to distinguish fact from opinion.
   Give the benefit of doubt, avoid sensationalism, and present information in a fair, accurate, and unbiased manner.
   
3. I will not forward any post or comment without conducting due diligence. This includes WhatsApp, email or any groups. I will use fact-checking resources and tools to verify information before sharing and strive to share information with context, going beyond binaries, knowing that there may be multiple perspectives on complex issues.
   • If faced with breaking news where delay due to thorough fact-checking might lead to irreversible damage (for example, news of a fire breaking out), I will clearly mention the source and clarify that no fact-checking has been done.
   • [NOTE: Search engines and Wikipedia are not considered primary sources but may be used as a first step to finding credible sources. For more resources, see below]

4. I will promptly and publicly correct any mistakes I make when sharing information.
   
5. I will make every effort to respect and protect the privacy of others. I will not forward comments from groups or personal information without consent,  adhering to widely accepted principles and best practices for privacy protection.
   
6. I will fact-check any AI-generated content I use and clearly label any post I generate using deepfake technology, generative AI, or Photoshop.
   
7. ​​I will focus on issues and refrain from personal attacks. I will avoid labelling, name-calling, judging, or ‘what-aboutery’, and will engage in respectful and civil dialogue.

To endorse the pledge, please fill in the online form at this link

Background

People using social media to bear witness, and produce and share information are sometimes called ‘citizen journalists’. They do the work of a ‘para-journalist’ but without the training that paramedics, paralegals or paramilitary personnel receive.

The Code of Ethics below provides guidelines with resources to help social media users enhance their credibility. Experienced reporters and editors may find it useful as a revision.

A revision exercise and checklist for practising journalists and editors and a  training tool for ‘para-journalists’ – citizen journalists, social media users and creators

In brief: A reminder to process feelings before sharing.
Be factual. Provide context. 

Paralegals, paramedics, and paramilitary persons receive training for their work. However, social media users and ‘citizen journalists’ who essentially function as ‘para-journalists’ receive no training and have no accountability.

As journalists, para-journalists, citizen journalists, and/or social media users:

• We recognize that anyone with a smartphone is potentially a news producer in today’s digital world.
• We acknowledge the importance of journalistic ethics, training and unbiased reporting for all who use social media platforms or produce information for the public.
• We understand that sharing content that triggers strong emotions can significantly impact. While some content may be factual and important, we recognize that highly provocative content can sometimes contribute to the spread of misinformation if not carefully verified.
• We seek to bridge divides rather than deepen conflicts. We recognise algorithms can push certain content to users, obliterating nuance and encouraging extremes. As social media* users, we acknowledge our collective responsibility to share content with context.
• We are all in this together. We commit to being the change we wish to see. This is a pledge to hold ourselves accountable.

Why this, why now?

This pledge was catalysed by a ‘Writing and Peace Journalism Masterclass’ at Dishari Public Library in Milpitas, California, on 15 June 2024, conducted by Beena Sarwar, journalist, peace activist and educator, co-founder of the Southasia Peace Action Network and founder and chief editor of Global Southasia (formerly Sapan News), that operate under the Sapan Foundation. The Dishari Foundation hosted the event. Sapan and Dishari are both 501c3 organisations registered in Massachusetts and California, respectively.

Its genesis lies in a comment from MaryCatherine Neal, a student in Beena Sarwar’s journalism class at Emerson College, Fall of 2018. “Everyone should think like a journalist”, said Neal during a class discussion on ethics and responsibility.

Many others have subsequently contributed to this process.

Details in the Acknowledgements section.

 Implementation and Self-Accountability

• This Pledge is about being the change and taking responsibility for our own actions. There is no penalty, policing, or monitoring of how users are implementing this pledge. 

• We invite users to review and engage in regular self-assessments to ensure adherence to the principles outlined in the Code of Ethics listed in the Pledge. 

Resources 

Some resources for aspiring journalists, citizen journalists, social media users, and revision for journalists.

A basic journalistic rule: Confirm information from at least two diverse, credible sources before sharing. 

• Take the CRAAP test – Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, Purpose 
• SIFT the four moves: Stop, Investigate the source, Find better coverage, and Trace claims, quotes, and media to the original context
• Jim Lehrer’s rules of journalism, PBS, January 2020

You can also confirm information from a fact-checking website before sharing further

• Five factchecking sites
  • Plus: Society of Professional Journalists Fact-Checking resources 

Multiple Languages

• Translation services will make this document accessible to those using any language.

Applies to Users of All Digital Platforms 

This Code of Ethics applies to all digital platforms, social media, online spaces, email groups etc, where users share information. These include, but are not limited to:

Comments 

Various individuals, including journalists, editors, activists, media persons, and academics, have reviewed and commented on this document—some of their comments are below. 

• “As an editor and media educator, I have been waiting for just this kind of document as a review tool, we need these guidelines more than ever before.” – Kunda Dixit. Founder Editor Nepali Times, Kathmandu
  
• “Written in a way that gets journalists to think about their personal use of the platforms and reflect on not only what they post, but why. It’s also one of the few takes on this subject that prompts users to think about the impact of their use of social media. It is a very powerful document” –  Stacey Woelfel, journalist, professor emeritus at the Missouri School of Journalism
  
• “A great idea… highlights how important it is to think and reflect before posting on social media” – Kim Cloete, journalist, media specialist, Nieman, South Africa
  
• “It’s so heartfelt and noble. Like the Hippocratic oath in medicine. Great attempt.” –  Hamida Merchant, activist, Boston
  
• “Loved the draft. It is an excellent beginning into credible communications!” – Khalid Hussain, filmmaker, Islamabad
  
• “I love this idea. This pledge is worded so well. It is very easy to understand and definitely promotes everyone to think like we do every day.” — MaryCatherine Neal, journalist, Virginia.
  
• “I think it’s quite timely given how social media is on the rise” – Vidya Kakra, human rights lawyer, Mumbai
  
• “Good initiative. Makes people aware of their responsibilities” — Jaspal Singh, community organiser, Cambridge MA
  
• “I am delighted at this initiative. The momentum built up reflects the compassion, courage and wisdom that is desperately needed in all societies to create a better future for all irrespective of race, religion and class.”  Akbar S. Ahmed, Distinguished professor and chair of Islamic studies, American University and global fellow at Wilson Center
  
• The point about pausing to process emotions before posting or sharing anything that triggers anxiety, fear, outrage, pain, or guilt is “so important and so rarely spoken about. Love it” – Urmi Chanda, interfaith scholar, Mumbai
  
• “A wonderful and timely idea, to get everyone, including journalists, to think like a trained journalist before hitting the forward-send button on social media feeds. Even if signing does not bind anyone to follow the rules, at the very least it will be a worm at the back of people’s minds. A great way to educate people about the do’s and don’t’ s of  social media. This needs the widest possible circulation.” –Nirupama Subramanian, independent journalist, Chennai
  
• “Excellent point” – to recognise algorithms can push certain content to users, obliterating nuance and encouraging extremes. – Rachel Layne, journalist and journalism teacher, Emerson College, Boston
  
• This code of ethics is so needed … and the suggestions right on point. It reminds me of what we called “the 10 commandments according to Jim Lehrer” which, of course, were written long before we knew the impact social media (and AI) could have and long before fact-checking became an essential part of election coverage! – Kathleen McCleery, producer, PBS, New Mexico

Feedback and Improvement 

We welcome suggestions to improve this pledge. Please submit feedback to editor@sapannews.com or on our website https://sapannews.com/. 

Acknowledgements

Global Southasia (formerly Sapan News) founder editor Beena Sarwar conceptualised and drafted this pledge, based on a seed planted by a comment from journalism student MaryCatherine Neal at a discussion on ethics and responsibility at a Foundations of Journalism class at Emerson College, Fall 2018: “Everyone should think like a journalist”.

Many others have contributed to this process since then. Iman Mukherjee, an IT engineer, kickstarted the process by noting the points discussed during a writing workshop conducted by Beena Sarwar at the Dishari Public Library, Milpitas, CA. Subsequent commentators and reviewers include: Sree Srinivasan, digital trainer, New York; Natasha Raheel Khan, journalist, Karachi; Rachel Layne, journalist and journalism professor, Emerson College, Boston; Khushi Kabir, activist, Dhaka; Katherine Abraham, journalist, Pune; Vidya Kakra, human rights lawyer, Mumbai/New York; Dr Mantra Roy, librarian, San Jose; Michael Fitzgerald, journalist, Nieman 2011, Boston; Jim Karb, teacher, New York; Asadullah Khan, journalist, Islamabad; Regina Johnson, journalist, Virginia; Nadeem Iqbal, journalist, Islamabad; Shahidul Alam, photojournalist, Dhaka; Vishal Sharma, lawyer, Shimla/Cardiff; Leslie Davis and Greg White, Chicago; Kathleen McCleery, former deputy executive producer, PBS News Hour, New Mexico; Kunda Dixit. Founder Editor Nepali Times, Kathmandu; Stacey Woelfel, journalist, a professor emeritus at the Missouri School of Journalism; Kim Cloete, journalist, media specialist, South Africa; Hamida Merchant, activist, Boston; Jaspal Singh, community organiser, Cambridge MA; Akbar S. Ahmed, Distinguished professor and chair of Islamic studies, American University and global fellow Wilson centre; Urmi Chanda, interfaith scholar, Mumbai; Nirupama Subramanian, independent journalist, Chennai

Endorsements

June 2024 onwards

1. Beena Sarwar, journalist, Nieman 2006, Poynter MTC 2023, Pakistan/USA
2. Vidya Kakra, human rights lawyer, India: “I think it’s quite timely given how social media is on the rise.”
3. Khalid Hussain, journalist, Pakistan: “Loved the draft. It is an excellent beginning into credible communications!”
4. Richard M. Murphy, journalist, USA
5. Stacey Woelfel, professor emeritus at the Missouri School of Journalism, USA: “Written in a way that gets journalists to think about their personal use of the platforms and reflect on not only what they post, but why. It’s also one of the few takes on this subject that prompts users to think about the impact of their use of social media. It is a very powerful document”.
6. Imankalyan Mukherjee, IT engineer, India
7. Kunda Dixit. Founder Editor Nepali Times, Kathmandu: “As an editor and media educator, I have been waiting for just this kind of document as a review tool, we need these guidelines more than ever before.”
8. Natasha Raheel, journalist, Pakistan
9. Ehsan Ahmed Sehar, journalist, Pakistan
10. Akbar S. Ahmed, Distinguished professor and chair of Islamic studies, American University and global fellow at Wilson Center: “I am delighted at this initiative. The momentum built up reflects the compassion, courage and wisdom that is desperately needed in all societies to create a better future for all irrespective of race, religion and class.”
11. Nandita Bose, journalist, USA
12. Kathleen McCleery, producer, PBS, New Mexico: “This code of ethics is so needed … and the suggestions right on point. It reminds me of what we called “the 10 commandments according to Jim Lehrer” which, of course, were written long before we knew the impact social media (and AI) could have and long before fact-checking became an essential part of election coverage!”
13. Ravikumar Stephen J., activist, India
14. Faheem Akhtar, journalist, Pakistan
15. Rachel Layne, journalist and journalism teacher, Emerson College, Boston: “Excellent point – to recognize that algorithms can push certain content to users, obliterating nuance and encouraging extremes.”
16. Abdullah Zahid, journalist, Pakistan
17. Aliya Rab, architect, USA
18. Regina Johnson, journalist, USA
19. Kamal Siddiqi, journalist, Pakistan
20. Ayeshah Alam Khan, actor, USA/Pakistan
21. Farhatullah Babar, political activist, Pakistan
22. Urmi Chanda, interfaith scholar, Mumbai: “The point about pausing to process emotions before posting or sharing anything that triggers anxiety, fear, outrage, pain, or guilt is “so important and so rarely spoken about. Love it”
23. Sharon R. Mier, psychologist, USA
24. Claudia Antunes, journalist, Nieman, Brazil
25. Hamida Merchant, activist, Boston: “It’s so heartfelt and noble. Like the Hippocratic oath in medicine. Great attempt.”
26. Amna Ahmed, activist, USA
27. Kim Cloete, journalist, media specialist, Nieman, South Africa: “A great idea… highlights how important it is to think and reflect before posting on social media” –
28. Durga Sreenivasan, student, USA: “Kudos on a thought provoking initiative!”
29. Murtaza Solangi, journalist Pakistan
30. Farrah Taufiq, rights activist, Pakistan
31. Tatsam Mukherjee, film journalist, India
32. Mange Ram Adhana, development specialist, India
33. Sara Arshad, writer, Pakistan: “It’s an excellent initiative and helps one to gain maturity.”
34. Rakesh Prasad Chaudhary, journalist, Nepal
35. Hammad Ghaznavi, journalist, Pakistan: “A much needed pledge”
36. Syed Anwar Saeed, Pakistan
37. Suneel Wattal, IT Professional, India
38. Sher Ali Khan, journalist, United States; Pakistan
39. Seema Jaffer, social impact communications professional, Pakistan
40. Kriti Bhattarai, media professional and researcher, Nepal: “How can we make social media handle a safe and trusted space for sharing ? Discussions are needed more as these spaces are being more vulnerable for misinformation as well as serious concern for the safety issues.”
41. Col Pavan Nair, humanist, India: “Great initiative.”
42. Jaspal Singh, community organiser, Cambridge MA: “Good initiative. Makes people aware of their responsibilities”.
43. Robert Dietz, journalist, USA
44. Ranjit Powar, psychologist, India
45. Rukhsana Rashid, development consultant, Pakistan: “Great initiative.”
46. Ammar Masood, journalist, Pakistan
47. Shahvaar Ali Khan, actor-musician-writer-director-entrepreneur, Pakistan
48. Fakhra Hassan, high school teacher, Pakistan
49. Dr Satish Uttamrao Patil, journalist, educator, India
50. Dimantha D. Thenuwara, adventure traveler, Sri Lanka
51. Rizwan Ahmed, digital marketer, Pakistan
52. Manisha, India / UK
53. Jaideep Das, education equality, USA
54. Haris Gazdar, sociologist, Pakistan
55. Nirupama Subramanian, independent journalist, Chennai: “A wonderful and timely idea, to get everyone, including journalists, to think like a trained journalist before hitting the forward-send button on social media feeds. Even if signing does not bind anyone to follow the rules, at the very least it will be a worm at the back of people’s minds. A great way to educate people about the do’s and don’ts of  social media. This needs the widest possible circulation.”
56. Arjan Singh Rai, policy intern, UK
57. Bidhi Adhikari, student, Nepal
58. Disha, aspiring journalist, India
59. Faisal M. Lalani, global community organizer, USA
60. Rk. Manoj, media professional, India
61. Pragyan Srivastava, journalist, India
62. Anusha Dwivedi, journalist, India
63. Sarita Bartaula, Sapan News, USA
64. Teesta Setalvad, co-editor, Sabrang, India
65. Ratan Guha, consultant, India
66. Monika Marandi, indigenous rights activist, India
67. Sangeeta Srivastava, artist, India
68. Aruna Mukim, social activist, India
69. Kausar S Khan, Pakistan
70. Rakesh Kumar Yadav, thinker, India
71. Rajashri Dasgupta, journalist, India
72. Saraswathy Nagarajan, independent journalist, India
73. Samhita Barooah, freelance writer and social work educator, India
74. Poorvi, independent journalist, India
75. Ranjini Rao, consultant, India: “Effective communication does not involve emotional arousal all the time.”
76. Zayeem Zaman, social media user, USA
77. Ashka Naik, food policy expert, India/USA
78. Karuna John, journalist, India
79. Niranjan Adhikari, lawyer, Nepal/USA: “In the age of social media, disinformation can spread like a wildfire, therefore, it is more important than ever for everyone to adhere to a Code of Conduct as to how we conduct ourselves in the digital space. Truth must prevail.”
80. Meena Menon, Journalist and researcher, India
81. Siraj Khan, global non-profit consultant, USA
82. Rehan Allahwala, global citizen, Pakistan
83. Zachary L. Zavidé, Brown Pundits, BRAM Newsletter, UK
84. Asif Saad, management consultant, Pakistan
85. Rob Vreeken, correspondent, Netherlands
86. Arya Gautam, Nepal
87. Shahzain Ali Khan, student, professional athlete, Pakistan
88. Javeria Javeria, UK
89. Tanveer Ahmed, independent action-oriented public policy researcher, Jammu Kashmir (West): “I think this is the correct approach to using social media for positive social change.”
90. Aisha Gazdar, filmmaker, Pakistan
91. Shreekant Chandan, teacher, India
92. Dr. Satish Uttamrao Patil, journalist, writer and principal, Mankarnabai Vinayakrao Marathe Women’s College of Education, Pimpalner, India
93. F Shareefa Thahir, Broadcast Journalist, radio & television presenter & news anchor, Sri Lanka
94. Priyantha Pradeep Ranasinghe, media, Sri Lanka
95. Khawar Mumtaz, peacemonger, Pakistan
96. Yasmeen Kazi, doctor, Pakistan
97. Siraj Khan, global non-profit consultant, USA
98. Bina Sarkar Ellias, poet, editor, publisher, art curator, India
99. Bilal Farooqi, journalist, Pakistan
100. George Fulton, UK/ Pakistan
101. Harith Soysa, Sri Lanka
102. Fauzia Deeba, Sapan, United States
103. Khushi Kabir, activist, Bangladesh
104. Chinmoy Tewary, editor of Pingla Barta News, West Bengal, India
105. Harsh Mander, peace and justice worker and writer, India
106. Maheen Pracha, human rights practitioner, Pakistan
107. Mahnaz Rahman, writer & human rights defender, Pakistan
108. Aekta Kapoor, founder and chief editor, eShe, India
109. Robert S. (Bob) Delaney, writer, editor, social media user, USA
110. Dr Santosh Kumar Dehury, journalist, President of Press Club (regd) Pallahara, State Vice-President of Kalinga Union of Working Journalists (regd) Odisha State, Bhubaneswar, currently working in Odia daily newspaper SURYAPRAVA, India
111. Eunjin Kwak, graduate student, USA, South Korea
112. Imran Mohammed, India
113. Chinmoy Tewary, editor, Pingla Barta, India
114. Lalita Ramdas, educator, India: “A necessary safeguard in our times.”
115. Ramesh Advani, retired businessman, USA/India
116. Gourang Shah, India
117. Umayr Tariq, higher education and media professional, UK
118. Poramatir Desh Patrika, publisher & editor, India
119. Tushar Ranjan, USA
120. Tom Maliti, journalist, Kenya
121. Ambereen Mirza, founder, Readers Without Borders, USA
122. Azra Syed, UK/ Pakistan
123. Bryan Hecht, journalist at Emerson College, USA
124. Gabriella Berry, journalist, USA
125. Jim McManus, affiliated faculty, law and ethics at Emerson College USA/ Ireland
126. Amit Sengupta, editor (independentink.in), India
127. P. Sainath, journalist. founder editor (People’s Archive of Rural India), India
128. Namrata Sharma, editor, Nariswor, Nepal
129. Neil Altman, board member, Harlem Family Services, USA
130. Natarajan Dhanunjaya, India
131. Sabahat Ashraf, iFaqeer Communications, Pakistan/ USA/ Nigeria: “I fully support this much-needed initiative. To our more-religious Muslim friends, I would like to point out that your faith specifically requires much of what is delineated here.”
132. Shahidul Alam, photography, Bangladesh
133. Sobh Saeed Rid, journalist, Pakistan
134. Salma Saad, Pakistan/USA
135. Ritash 🦾🌈, neuroqueer, writer, India
136. S Veera Raghavan, reporter, India
137. Mithun Bhowmik, business person, India
138. Veera Raghavan, media, India
139. Ahsan Jamil, Pakistan
140. Asma, MD, USA
141. Mohd Abdul khader, professional, India
142. Pervez Akhtar Khan, global citizen, Pakistan
143. Ayesha Khan, researcher, Pakistan/ UK
144. Haresh Bhagwan Aswani, desginer, India
145. Nukhba Masood, student at IBA Karachi, Pakistan
146. MaryCatherine Price, digital streaming EP, WRIC, Richmond, USA: “I love this idea. This pledge is worded so well. It is very easy to understand and definitely promotes everyone to think like we do every day.”
147. Devanshu Gour, India
148. J. Natasha Gooneratne, founder, Perspective South, Sri Lanka
149. Danielle Gehrmann, writer, translator, editor, Australia
150. Dr.Santosh kumar Dehury, 35 years experience in journalism, reporter of Odia daily news paper Suryaprava, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
151. Naziba Basher, journalist, Bangladesh
152. Bilal Arif, England, UK
153. Siya ram Bishnoi Jamba, Maru Darpan News, India
154. Naazlee Sardar, activist, Pakistan
155. Sanjib Dhar, media, India
156. Kit Slack, executive director, USA
157. Taimur Ahmed, freelance writer, USA/ Pakistan
158. Ehtesham Hassan, freelance brand designer, Pakistan
159. Chintan Girish Modi, journalist, educator, peacebuilder, India
160. Siddhartha Kishor Roy Bhandari, media, India
161. Elvis Jude Gallyot, crime reporter, India
162. Nadra Huma Quraishi, educator, activist, writer, Pakistan/ Australia/ USA
163. Farhan Reza, freelance journalist, USA/ Pakistan

(being updated)