Round Earth Media was founded by veteran international journalists who are committed to working with early-career and experienced reporters to produce stories on underreported subjects, in all media formats, from around the world.
These standards will not only ensure solid reporting; they will make our stories publication-ready for the world’s most respected news outlets. It is the mission of Round Earth Media to see that our work reaches an audience that depends on reliable, sustainable global journalism of the highest quality.

Our Goals

1. The goal of Round Earth Media is to produce objective, fact-based journalism. Our special niche is covering unexpected, surprising yet revealing lives and places that traditional media do not have the resources or inclination to cover, especially in the developing world.

2. The global media outlets that publish Round Earth Media stories — for print, radio, video, web and television — rely on us for unearthing little-told issues and searching out news in overlooked parts of the world.

3. We endeavor to provide independent journalism that is clear, fair and as truthful as we can possibly make it. Whether a blog post or a multimedia investigative piece, we cover stories responsibly. That marks the Round Earth Media brand.

The Role of Freelance Journalist and Newsroom Employee

4. When contacting potential sources, conducting interviews, following up with sources, double-checking facts or any of the other myriad communications that go into executing a news story, we expect every Round Earth Media journalist, whether a freelancer, contract journalist or employee, to be respectful. This consideration should apply to sources, our audience and our supporters — and to all forms of interaction, whether electronic, mail or face to face.

5. Our reputation is paramount to us, and every Round Earth Media reporter, whether his or her engagement with us is one time or long term, reflects on and contributes to our good name. All journalists reporting on behalf of Round Earth Media will be held to the highest standards of professional journalism.

6. Round Earth Media journalism is impartial journalism. It does not advance or exploit a personal agenda. Any potential or perceived conflict of interest is to be avoided, and any suspected conflict of interest should be discussed at the onset of any story with a Round Earth Media editor. Because many early-career journalists work on a freelance basis and may need to support themselves with other jobs besides reporting, these conflicts of interest can involve where they work or their involvement with nonprofits, non-governmental organizations, government committees, advisory boards, paid or unpaid public relations work, or other sources of income. (Exceptions could include involvement with arts, school or neighborhood groups.) It is your obligation to reveal pertinent outside employment and civic activities to your editor. Conflicts could also arise from your financial stake in a company, your contemplation of a public offering or another investment. (Some news organizations forbid business/financial reporters from playing the market at all; others forbid reporters from giving private financial advice.) Too, conflicts could arise from your romantic involvement or even close friendship with a source. It also may be that the activities of your family members could cause a conflict. If you have even the slightest question regarding potential conflicts of interest, quickly bring the matter to your editor so that we can find a solution.

7. Because Round Earth Media can be considered to have a virtual newsroom, assigning and overseeing reporters all over the world, it is important that Round Earth Media journalists communicate responsibly with our editors. Any journalists on assignment for Round Earth Media are responsible for staying in contact with our editors during the course of their reporting and especially in the event of any conflicts or problems that may arise while executing their stories.

Before being given an assignment, freelance contributors must sign a contract with Round Earth Media.

General Guidelines

8. These guidelines apply to any person or news entity in any way connected to providing content to Round Earth Media. This includes our executive and administrative staff, board of directors, formal advisers, editors, photographers, videographers, multimedia technicians, website technicians and designers, researchers, interns and fact-checkers.

9. Our primary objective is to uphold the Round Earth Media reputation for providing the accurate, impartial, original reporting that our news outlets have come to expect from us. Our credibility is everything to us. All Round Earth Media journalists are expected to act ethically and with integrity. If there is any question as to what these standards entail, reporters should consult with a Round Earth Media editor.

10. This policy covers Round Earth Media news gathering. Some stories may appear on the Round Earth Media websites (roundearthmedia.org, roundearthmedia.com, or the Round Earth Media Facebook page), but generally our organization acts as a newsroom that links experienced editors with freelance journalists to produce stories that we then place in other media outlets, accompanied by the reporter’s byline and the Round Earth Media name. When such a piece is published by an outlet other than those expressly maintained by Round Earth Media, the reporter may be subject to the guidelines of that news organization. The reporter is expected to be available to that news organization for editing and rewriting, if necessary. If you want to pursue additional venues for your piece after Round Earth Media has placed it with its own or another media outlet, you must consult first with a Round Earth Media editor. We may be able to advise you in this effort.

11. This document does not create an implied or express contract of employment with any person covered under these guidelines. Members of the Round Earth Media editorial staff are charged with executing these guidelines and making decisions based on them.

12. Nowhere in our news organization, including during the reporting of a freelance assignment, will harassment of any form be permitted.

13. Under no conditions will plagiarism or a knowing falsehood of any kind be tolerated in your reporting. Such acts could irreparably harm the Round Earth Media reputation for journalism that is responsible, unbiased and as truthful as we can possibly make it.

14. Round Earth Media is committed to furthering the careers of aspiring journalists, and we know that you may pursue various freelance opportunities. However, as ideas for additional stories occur to you, we encourage you to bring them to Round Earth Media before trying to place them elsewhere. Also inform us of any prior exposure your proposed news story may have received, including placement (in any form) on your own personal website.

15. Round Earth Media has a strict procedure for placing freelance stories in media outlets. You may not publish anything (including text, audio and video) on your own under the “Round Earth Media” rubric unless the piece has been seen and signed off on by our editors, and unless you have permission from Round Earth Media to do so.

16. All Round Earth Media staff and freelancers are expected to read these guidelines before executing any work for our organization. There may be periodic changes or updates, and these will be communicated via this website. Please check here for any updates and changes before beginning a new assignment for us.

17. Anyone not deemed to uphold the high professional standards set forth in these guidelines will be immediately removed from all Round Earth Media assignments.

News-Gathering Standards

18. As they pursue responsible and fair reporting, Round Earth Media reporters are expected to openly tell sources what news organization they represent (“Round Earth Media”) and the news outlet where the story is destined to appear if known, realizing that in journalism any story can be held or killed at any time, for any number of reasons.

19. Round Earth Media relies on a digitally connected world to do its work. You may come into possession of recorded or digital media that may be for your use only. Be protective of this information; either return it safely to its originator or destroy it so that it may not be copied.

20. If you are asked to make a correction to your published piece, be gracious, and forward the request, with the comment in question, immediately to Round Earth Media. We or the publishing news outlet will investigate the claim and take appropriate action.

21. Any stories, photographs, multimedia or blog posts that you submit to Round Earth Media should be solely your work, and all sources must be attributed. A list of sources and contact information should accompany your submission for fact-checking.

Round Earth Media Journalists in the World

22. In keeping with sound journalistic practices, Round Earth Media reporters should never misrepresent themselves to sources, punish uncooperative sources, pay for information, accept payment or commissions, accept gifts beyond the occasional CD, DVD or book specifically required to report a story, accept gifts on the promise of favorable treatment, secretly videotape, record conversations without the source’s knowledge and consent, break the law in pursuit of a story, misuse their privileged status as a journalist, make endorsements on behalf of Round Earth Media, show favoritism or give undue weight to any source for reasons of friendship, status or other personal connection. Nor should you accept a job from any source (including ghostwriting and photography) or participate in a competition or event, unless you are doing so to gain experiences you will write about in a news story. There may be exceptions, however, and you are encouraged to bring up such issues with a Round Earth Media editor.

23. No story is worth breaking the law. This includes unlawful entry, stealing data, electronic eavesdropping and tapping phones. Round Earth Media insists that all of its journalists obey the laws of the country in which they are reporting.

24. The use of confidential or anonymous sources is strongly discouraged and will be permitted only in rare instances when there is a compelling need to use such a source and there is reason to believe that identifying the source will bring that person or entity significant repercussions. In those instances, the reporter must be able to produce the name and contact information for the source, even if the name will not be used in the story. The identity of the source must be revealed to a Round Earth Media editor along with the reason for granting anonymity. In some instances, even though the Round Earth Media editors agree to granting the source anonymity, the publishing news outlets may not agree. In those instances, the unnamed source may be removed from the story or the reporter may be asked to contact the source to see whether the agreement for anonymity can be altered. In no case will a reporter be asked to abrogate an agreement with a source, but in some instances the anonymity may make the story unpublishable.

25. A Round Earth Media journalist may not use his or her position as a freelancer to gain special privileges or gain entrance to places or venues not directly connected to the pursuit of a story. You also may not speak for the entire organization. These same strictures apply to Round Earth Media newsroom employees. If you have any questions about this, consult your editor or newsroom supervisor.

26. You may develop an expertise during the course of your Round Earth Media reporting such that you are asked to comment as an expert, either via quotes in the media or speaking engagements. Before doing so, alert your Round Earth Media editor or newsroom supervisor.

27. You may accept public speaking engagements if caution is used to avoid real or perceived conflict of interest and if your editor or newsroom supervisor is made aware of any speaker’s fee you may be in a position to earn. If your talk is in connection with reporting you do for Round Earth Media, we encourage you to stay on topic, avoiding personal or biased comments that may endanger our reputation for impartial reporting.

28. If you are privy to internal Round Earth Media information regarding future reporting trips, assignments, stories, business operations or web development, you must keep this confidential.

29. Unless it would be culturally insulting to a source in the country in which you are reporting, Round Earth Media reporters are expected to pay their own expenses if, for example, you meet a source over tea or a meal. Similarly, our reporters should pay their own travel and lodging expenses unless other arrangements have been made with your editor’s knowledge and approval. No junkets will be allowed. You may, however, accept a free pass if you are covering an event and there is a media preview or tour relating to art, food, fashion or sports expressly in pursuit of a story. Otherwise, you should pay for admission to the event with your editor’s knowledge and approval. You may not accept free passes if you are not gathering news for a specific story.

30. It may be that Round Earth Media reporters are entitled to certain discounted transportation or lodging, and those incentives will be made known to you at the time of story assignment.

31. In covering underreported areas of the world, Round Earth Media reporters will often encounter political situations. Despite this, our journalists must continue to maintain our reputation for neutral, impartial reporting. To wit, do not display partisan buttons or placards or any other symbols of political preference while in the employ of Round Earth Media. U.S. newsrooms are in general agreement that, to avoid favoritism, no journalists should campaign, demonstrate or advocate for any cause or party (including in a personal blog post), donate money to a political campaign, or stand for public office. We also discourage fundraising for any organization other than Round Earth Media.

32. While on assignment for Round Earth Media, you should not participate in surveys asking your opinion of an organization’s media relations or public image. On occasion you may describe our procedures to public relations groups with the goal of improving the flow of pertinent information.

33. If something you undertake in your personal life but in the public sphere has the potential to cause embarrassment to Round Earth Media and the media outlets we work with, you must avoid it. Some potential pitfalls include personal blog postings, text messages and online videos. In no event should your personal web activity suggest the involvement or sanction of Round Earth Media. Nor should you divulge private or confidential information obtained through access to our newsroom or the Round Earth Media company.

34. If you develop enough expertise to write a book and if that project relies on content you wrote while working for or with us, know that Round Earth Media holds ownership rights to that material, and it may not be reproduced in any form without our prior written permission. It is your obligation to notify us of any impending projects, including documentaries, and seek the necessary permission. In general, queries about repurposing any Round Earth Media content should be forwarded to our editors.

35. You should retain the materials used to report your story — including interview notes, recordings, background materials, and images — for a period of two years. This material may not be released to any person or entity beyond the Round Earth Media editorial staff, or the staff of the publishing news outlet, without the consent of our legal department.

Involvement with Funders

36. On occasion, when authorized by a Round Earth Media editor or supervisor, journalists may participate in Round Earth Media marketing or promotional activities. Reporters will be asked only to provide insights relating to their work.

37. As it seeks to produce global journalism, Round Earth Media operates on the understanding that the relationship between Round Earth Media journalists (whether freelancers, contract employees or staff)  and its funders (which currently include foundations and individual donors) is separate.

38. Round Earth Media journalists, whether on staff or freelance, should maintain a strict independence. They should not discuss any aspect of the funding side unless an issue relates specifically to the business of producing original, unbiased journalism. It may be that, from time to time, a general topic category relates in some way (positively or negatively) to a funder, but any journalistic decision made by Round Earth Media editors will always be based first and foremost on newsworthiness and service to our audience, whether reader, viewer and listener.