Ethics Policy

1. Introduction: Our Ethical Commitment

At Atmostfear Entertainment S.A.S. (“we,” “us,” “our”), our mission is to deliver high-quality journalism, education, and entertainment built on a foundation of absolute trust. Our credibility is our most vital asset. This Ethics Policy serves as the guiding compass for all our staff, contributors, and partners. It is not merely a set of rules, but a statement of the enduring principles that govern our work.

This policy applies to all content we produce and all individuals who contribute to it, including full-time staff, freelance contributors, and partners. Our primary allegiance is always to the public, and our work must be conducted with the highest levels of responsibility and honesty.

2. Core Principles of Our Journalism

Our work is guided by five foundational pillars that ensure the integrity of everything we publish.

2.1. Truth and Accuracy

The relentless pursuit of truth is the cornerstone of our work. Accuracy is paramount and must never be sacrificed for speed. This principle requires that we:

Take full responsibility for the accuracy of our work, verifying all information before publication and using original sources whenever possible.
Provide not just facts, but also the necessary context to ensure our audience can understand the larger truth of a situation. Accuracy is more than getting facts right; it is about weighing them to get at the truth.
Never deliberately distort facts or context, including visual or audio information. All content must be exact in its facts and its context.

2.2. Independence and Impartiality

We must remain free of all interests that could compromise our integrity. Our reporting will be conducted “without fear or favor.” This principle requires that we:

Avoid conflicts of interest, both real and perceived. We will refuse gifts, favors, free travel, and any special treatment that could undermine our independence.
Maintain a strict separation from the subjects we cover. Staff must avoid active involvement in partisan causes or demonstrations that could compromise, or seem to compromise, our ability to report and edit fairly.
Clearly distinguish news from advertising and shun hybrids that blur the lines between the two. All commercial content must be explicitly labeled.

2.3. Fairness and Humanity

We treat our sources, subjects, colleagues, and the public as human beings deserving of respect. This principle requires that we:

Approach every story with an open mind and seek out opposing views as a matter of routine.
Balance the public’s need for information against the potential for causing harm or discomfort. The pursuit of news is not a license for arrogance.
Show special sensitivity when dealing with vulnerable individuals, including children and victims of trauma. We recognize that private individuals have a greater right to privacy than public figures.

2.4. Accountability and Transparency

We are accountable to our audience for our work. This principle requires that we:

Acknowledge mistakes and correct them promptly, openly, and ungrudgingly. Corrections will be clearly labeled and will explain the error.
Be transparent about our journalistic processes and be open to a civil dialogue with our audience about our decisions.
Identify our sources clearly whenever possible, so the public can judge their reliability.

3. Operational Standards and Practices

These principles are put into practice through the following operational standards.

3.1. Sourcing

The credibility of our reporting depends on the quality of our sources.

Verification: We will cross-check information with multiple sources whenever possible. Information that we have not witnessed ourselves must be verified and substantiated.
Anonymous Sources: The use of anonymous sources is a last resort and requires senior editorial approval. We will grant anonymity only when a source faces potential harm and provides vital information that is not obtainable through other means. We will explain to our audience why a source was granted anonymity.
Source Protection: We have a solemn obligation to protect confidential sources who provide information at great personal or professional risk. This professional secrecy is inviolable but does not relieve us of our duty to verify the facts.

3.2. Distinguishing Content

We will always provide our audience with the tools to differentiate between news, opinion, and commercial content.

Labeling: All commentary and opinion pieces will be clearly labeled as such to distinguish them from objective news reporting.
Commercial Content: All sponsored posts, advertisements, and affiliate-driven content will be clearly and conspicuously identified as commercial in nature, in accordance with our Terms of Service and Affiliate Disclaimer.

3.3. Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

We may use AI tools to assist in our research and content creation, but human oversight is mandatory. We will not use generative AI to create “original” copy without rigorous human fact-checking, editing, and verification. The ultimate responsibility for the accuracy and integrity of our content always rests with our human journalists and editors.

4. Digital and Community Ethics

Our ethical standards extend to all digital platforms where we operate.

Our journalists are always representatives of Atmostfear Entertainment. Staff must refrain from writing, tweeting, or posting anything that could be perceived as reflecting political, racial, sexist, or other bias that could tarnish our journalistic credibility. Social media is a professional space, not a venue for personal disputes or advancing partisan agendas.

4.2. Community Moderation

Our website is a host for public discourse. We are committed to fostering a respectful and constructive community.