Principle
A reader should never have to wonder whether a Sox News piece was shaped by an undisclosed interest. Interests that could reasonably be thought relevant are declared. Interests that cannot be managed by declaration are avoided.
Financial interests
- Anyone writing or editing about a specific company declares any holding in that company, or in its direct competitors, to the accountable editor before work begins.
- Where a holding is material to the piece, it is either disposed of or the piece is reassigned. Where a small holding remains relevant, it is disclosed in the piece.
- Nobody at Sox News trades on information obtained in the course of the work, or passes that information to anyone who might.
- Nobody at Sox News accepts payment, equity, tokens, discounts or advisory positions from a subject of coverage.
Political interests
- Sox News states institutional convictions openly and endorses no candidate and no party.
- Contributors hold their own political views. Holding party office, standing for election or working for a campaign is incompatible with covering that party or that race.
- Political donations by anyone with editorial responsibility are declared internally, and disclosed in any piece where they bear on the subject.
Gifts, travel and hospitality
- Gifts beyond token value are declined or donated.
- Travel, accommodation and event access paid for by a subject of coverage is declined. Where an exception is unavoidable to reach a story, the arrangement is disclosed in the piece.
- Embargoed access is accepted only where no editorial condition is attached.
Commercial separation
Advertising and sponsorship are handled under the advertising and sponsorship policy by the commercial function. Commercial staff do not commission, review or spike editorial content, and editorial staff do not negotiate commercial terms.
Personal relationships
A close personal or family relationship with a subject of coverage is declared to the accountable editor, who reassigns the piece unless the relationship is disclosed in the piece and does not bear on its judgement.
Sox News itself
Where Sox News covers a company, product or institution it has a relationship with, including its own suppliers and platforms, the relationship is disclosed in the piece.
Declarations
Declarations are recorded internally and reviewed by the Standards Editor role. Named contributors publish their relevant standing interests on the contributors page. A contributor who conceals a material interest does not write for Sox News again.
Sox News is published by Sox Media LLC, a privately held Nevada limited liability company funded by private capital. Statutory company information is filed with the Nevada Secretary of State. No government, political party, foreign state, advertiser, sponsor, donor network, union, advocacy organisation or think tank controls editorial decisions at Sox News.