IndigiNews is committed to producing Indigenous-centred journalism grounded in cultural care, integrity, accountability, and respect for community. Our work is guided by established journalistic standards, including the Canadian Association of Journalists (CAJ) Ethics Guidelines and APTN’s Indigenous journalism practices, while centring Indigenous ways of knowing, relationship-based reporting, and trauma-informed approaches.
Our goal is to build and maintain trust with Indigenous communities, sources, and the public through transparent, ethical, and responsible journalism.
Editorial Independence
IndigiNews maintains strict editorial independence at all times. Editorial decision-making is fully separated from funding, advertising, sponsorships, or donor relationships.
Donations, grants, partnerships, or sponsorships do not grant funders any right to review, influence, approve, or veto editorial content. All editorial decisions rest solely with IndigiNews editorial staff.
Where potential conflicts of interest may arise, including with institutional funders, community partners, or advertisers, editors are responsible for documenting how editorial independence is preserved and ensuring transparency in decision-making.
This approach aligns with CAJ principles of independence and accountability, and with APTN’s mandate to serve Indigenous audiences free from external influence.
Accuracy, Fairness, and Accountability
IndigiNews is committed to accuracy, fairness, and public accountability.
All factual elements in our reporting, including names, dates, locations, statistics, and events, must be verified prior to publication. Where information cannot be fully confirmed, stories must clearly indicate uncertainty, limitations, or gaps in available information.
Our journalists strive to present issues fairly, provide meaningful context, and avoid distortion or misrepresentation. Individuals, organizations, or institutions referenced in our reporting are given a reasonable opportunity to respond prior to publication, consistent with CAJ best practices.
Corrections and Retractions
IndigiNews takes responsibility for errors and addresses them promptly and transparently.
When a factual error is identified, a correction will be issued as soon as possible. Corrections include a clear editorial note explaining what was changed and why.
In cases where a story contains significant inaccuracies that undermine its integrity, editors may determine that a retraction is necessary. Retractions will be clearly labeled and accompanied by an explanation.
This corrections and retractions process reflects CAJ standards for accountability and transparency.
Source Protection and Ethical Reporting
IndigiNews is committed to protecting sources and reporting with care, particularly when working with Indigenous communities and individuals who may be vulnerable or have experienced harm.
Reporters must inform sources of the purpose of an interview, how their words will be used, and the potential implications of publication.
Additional care is required when reporting on or interviewing survivors, children, Elders, or people experiencing trauma, crisis, or marginalization. Consent must be clearly obtained, explained, and revisited when appropriate.
Our journalists avoid sensationalism and unnecessary harm. Stories are approached with cultural humility and an understanding of historical and ongoing impacts of colonialism, consistent with APTN’s trauma-informed and community-centred reporting practices.
Community Accountability
IndigiNews understands accountability as both a journalistic and relational responsibility.
We welcome community feedback and take concerns seriously. Editors review feedback and complaints and respond in a timely and respectful manner.
Our reporting prioritizes long-term trust and relationship-building over extractive or transactional journalism practices.
This policy governs all IndigiNews editorial content, including work produced through the Local Journalism Initiative.