First published March 31, 2025 at 3:09 p.m.
Journalistic principles
We’re The Ubyssey — UBC’s student newspaper since 1918, independent since 1995.
We’re the only active newspaper on UBC Vancouver’s Point Grey campus, which means we’re responsible for keeping the UBC community informed about the university and associated operations of public interest.
We seek to inform, reveal and contribute to the understanding of issues of public interest. We are committed to accurately reflecting the varied perspectives of UBC community members including but not limited to students, staff, faculty members, university and student union administration and people who live on campus.
The credibility of The Ubyssey’s journalism on all platforms rests on research, clear and intelligent writing, honesty, accuracy, fairness, balance and transparency. The following rules and principles apply to all content published by The Ubyssey:
- The Ubyssey will seek to provide reasonable accounts of competing views in any controversy so as to enable readers to hear varying, diverse perspectives.
- The Ubyssey is aware of the impact of our work and is honest with our audiences. We do not hesitate to correct any mistake when necessary nor to follow up a story when a situation changes significantly.
- It is unacceptable to invent or falsify a quote, source, anecdote, detail or anything else in articles published by The Ubyssey. It is also unacceptable to paraphrase a quote or anecdote in a manner that purposefully alters, decontextualizes or misconstrues its original meaning.
- We do not plagiarize and it is unacceptable to use and publish writing, photos, videos or illustrations created by generative AI. Using generative AI to create emails to sources, to research, to create interview questions and other aspects of reporting is strictly prohibited.
- Photos must be images captured by a camera and not created or altered beyond minor photo editing means.
- The trust of the public is our most valued asset. Contributors, staff reporters or editors with real or perceived conflicts of interest are not directly involved in the publishing of an article. Direct involvement includes pitching, writing, interviewing, editing, proofreading, illustrating, photographing and other aspects of the publishing process.
- Our reporting is based on facts and expertise. We do not promote any particular point of view on matters of public debate.
- All parties involved in our reporting will be treated with openness and respect by Ubyssey journalists. We are mindful of their rights. We treat them fairly. In working with marginalized communities, The Ubyssey takes care to respect their dignity and feelings.
Ubyssey reporters will always identify themselves and make it clear they are working on stories. It is unacceptable for any person, whether an editor, staff member or contributor, of any section to present as a Ubyssey reporter or to approach a source on behalf of The Ubyssey without authorization by a section editor to pursue a story. This includes but is not limited to, approaching UBC or AMS media relations, student or community sources, government bodies and others for information, sources, interviews, photos, data and more.
The Ubyssey adheres to the Canadian Association of Journalists’ Ethics Guidelines. The Ubyssey’s editorial journalistic guidelines and practices are inspired by those of the Globe and Mail and CBC, and other resources have been sourced from the Investigative Journalism Foundation, The New York Times, The Toronto Star and The Poynter Institute. This is a working document and will be updated intermittently.
Journalistic practices
These practices apply to all sections of the newspaper and its digital presence on social media, and to all masthead editors, staff and volunteer reporters.
- Quotation marks are the warranty that what is printed between them is what was said.
- Writers may sometimes fix lapses in grammar or pronunciation of the ordinary sort that go unnoticed in conversation, but the changes must be minimal and carry no risk of altered meaning.
- Quotes may not be tightened or smoothed or otherwise recast for reporter convenience or any other reason.
- Ellipses are to be used within quotations to indicate that words have been removed.
- Words in square brackets are to provide context to a quote that is necessary to the comprehension of the source’s words.
Artificial intelligence
Ubyssey journalists will not directly use generative AI in the news gathering process or generate photos or illustrations for publication. News gathering includes sourcing, creating interview questions, reporting on events, writing, quoting and other methods.
Ubyssey journalists may use AI tools such as AI transcription services like Otter.ai. Human review and oversight of all material produced by a generative AI system, like AI transcription services, must occur. No AI-influenced material should be published or relied upon without human vetting.
Other instances of The Ubyssey using AI in its reporting are rare, but AI usage in Ubyssey reporting beyond transcription tools will be disclosed at the top and bottom of published journalism. This disclosure should include any measures The Ubyssey took to mitigate or eliminate the usage risks and biases of these tools.
Due to the changing AI landscape, Ubyssey journalists must discuss AI use in reporting beyond AI transcription tools with their section editor and/or the editor-in-chief.
Attribution
It is unacceptable to represent another person’s work as your own. Excerpts from other people’s writing must be attributed. Although it is sometimes reasonable to adopt a few words without attribution (in a technical definition, for example), careful judgment is required. When in doubt, consult an editor.
Any extensive unacknowledged use of another’s words, structure or ideas may constitute plagiarism. Background and technical information from previously published Ubyssey stories may be reused, verbatim or otherwise, without credit, although you should not borrow someone’s distinctive prose style.
Information from another publication must be fact-checked and credited before it is used.
In cases of leaked documents, The Ubyssey has an obligation to confirm the correctness and truthfulness of the document.
Clandestine methods
In journalism, clandestine methods include:
- recording statements with hidden devices;
- conducting an interview without first identifying oneself as a journalist;
- asking someone else to gather information on our behalf;
- and using concealment techniques such as pseudonyms when we gather information online.
Unwarranted use of clandestine methods can impair the credibility of our reporting. Any news gathering methods and techniques used by The Ubyssey must serve the public interest and be lawful.
Ubyssey journalists will, for the most part, identify themselves as journalists. The only reason they would not is if identifying themselves as a member of the press poses a threat to their safety. Any attempt for a Ubyssey journalist to conceal their identity must be approved by their assigning section editor and the editor-in-chief.
Recording equipment may only be concealed in circumstances where it would be difficult or impossible to gather the information by acting more openly. This must only occur for matters of public interest and in a lawful manner. We may also choose to conceal recording equipment where individuals may threaten the safety of journalists.
For clandestine recordings made without the knowledge of one or more of the persons recorded that are obtained by The Ubyssey and created by a third party, The Ubyssey must seek to verify that the recording was made lawfully and will verify its authenticity. Publication of a clandestine recording provided by a third party requires approval from the editor-in-chief.
Complaints and corrections
We make every effort to avoid errors. In keeping with principles of accuracy, integrity and fairness, we correct errors when we have been able to establish that one has occurred.
When a correction is necessary, it is made promptly and displayed prominently. All print and web corrections must adhere to The Ubyssey’s corrections protocol. Corrections can be submitted through an online form located at the bottom of each article published on ubyssey.ca.
Concerned readers can submit complaints and feedback through The Ubyssey’s complaint and feedback form, located at the bottom of each article on ubyssey.ca, in the ‘About’ and ‘Contact’ sections of The Ubyssey’s website and in the print masthead. Ubyssey responses to complaints must be made in accordance with The Ubyssey’s external complaints procedure.
Conflict of interest and paying our way
Real or perceived conflicts of interest may give rise to questions about the trustworthiness of our reporting.
We must be free to report on the activities of any institution, and to do so credibly, we must disclose to editors and in some cases to the audience any material connections we have with the people or institutions in question.
The Ubyssey adheres to the Canadian Association of Journalists’ Ethics Guidelines.
Volunteer reporters, staff reporters or editors with real or perceived conflicts of interest are not directly involved in the publishing of these articles. This includes pitching, writing, interviewing, editing, proofreading, illustrating, photographing and other aspects of the publishing process.
The Ubyssey takes any and all possible steps to ensure that our reporting is fair, balanced and honest and that includes prohibiting any and all people who work or volunteer for The Ubyssey from being directly involved in coverage that correlates to a person they have a real or perceived conflict of interest with.
Ubyssey editors, staff and volunteer reporters may not accept gifts. We do not solicit gifts or favours for personal use, or give the impression that we do. We return unsolicited gifts whenever possible or practical. If returning a gift is unsuccessful, it may be donated to charity.
Where culturally appropriate, journalists are free and urged to consider nominal gifts to sources and communities.
Product samples may be kept for reference, given to colleagues for whom they may be of professional use or donated to charity. Journalists may not sell them.
Journalists must not use their connection to The Ubyssey to solicit or obtain free or discounted goods or services, or any other financial advantage not available to the general public.
Free admission to sports and entertainment events may be accepted for reporting purposes.
Journalists may accept customary hospitality at events such as food and drink at AMS Council meetings.
Investigative journalism
The Ubyssey will not publish an investigative report until we have ensured that the facts and evidence support the conclusions and judgments.
To achieve fairness, we will attempt to present the point of view of the person or institution being investigated.
Wherever possible, we will attempt to verify information provided by a source with a second source and additional subsequent sources. Wherever possible, Ubyssey stories use first-hand, identifiable sources such as people present at an event or verifiable documents.
When The Ubyssey receives leaked documents, we verify the authenticity of the document, corroborate the information they contain and assess the motives of the people who leaked them. If leaked documents are used in reporting, The Ubyssey will not reveal the identity of the person(s) who provided the documentation.
The decision to publish leaked documents raising legal or national security concerns is at the discretion of the relevant section editor and editor-in-chief.
We do not reveal the content of private correspondence not addressed to us (emails, letters, etc.) unless it is in the public interest to publish the information. We must make every effort to verify that the information is accurate. Where there may be legal or ethical considerations, Ubyssey journalists should seek the advice of section editors and the editor-in-chief.
Sources
News gathering hinges on the quality of its sources and information. The more controversial the story, the more critical the credibility of sources is.
These standards apply to all types of sources, including those found in social media platforms, when they are used for news gathering purposes.
Sources may be risking a great deal by sharing information, so it is important we are clear and explicit from the outset of contact as to the nature of our interview requests. This includes being transparent about how information will be used (on- or off-the-record) or if anonymity, as governed by The Ubyssey’s anonymity policy, is provided. If anonymous sources are used, The Ubyssey will not release or publish the legal name of that source.
We are clear in our reporting about the relationship the source has to the story including but not limited to publishing relevant context about the source such as their major, year level and other information. We let people know as precisely as possible where and from whom the information comes. This helps readers evaluate that information and to put facts into context.
The use of confidential sources is vital to any notion of a free press, and to the pursuit of public interest stories that might otherwise remain untold.
The Ubyssey recognizes that there are frequent and essential discussions between editors, journalists and their sources to obtain information such as documents and on-the-record quotations. There must be clear boundaries to these discussions to ensure sources do not dictate journalistic content.
Ubyssey journalists typically do not provide sources with interview questions before an interview as to avoid pre-planned answers.
To preserve our independence, we do not entertain requests for non-publication. We may publish any material gathered, provided it complies with our journalistic values and standards. However, we will seriously consider a request for non-publication for ethical considerations such as if a person’s personal safety or job security is threatened or the information gathered is no longer accurate or relevant. Requests for non-publication are at the discretion of section editors and the editor-in-chief.
The Ubyssey does not allow its journalists to send written copies of their stories to sources for editorial approval. Confidential source use must adhere to The Ubyssey’s anonymity policy.
The Ubyssey does not share drafts of articles or parts of article drafts with sources as to uphold our independence and press freedom.
We do not pay for information from a source in a story.
Outside work and activities
Editors, staff and volunteer contributors are permitted to engage in outside extracurriculars.
However, all journalists must keep in mind that, as employees or contributors of The Ubyssey, what they say and do outside of The Ubyssey may impact the newspaper’s reputation.
All Ubyssey staffers and editors are personally responsible for the information they publish on all social-media platforms. The views of individual Ubyssey masthead members represent the individual only and do not represent the views of The Ubyssey’s editorial, business office or board of directors as a whole.
We recognize there are specific challenges raised because social media create an intersection of personal and professional roles and identities. Ubyssey journalists, including editors, staff reporters and contributors should adhere to the following guidelines:
- In our social media activity, we are mindful of our professional association with The Ubyssey.
- We maintain professional decorum, and we understand that what we say and do on social media is reflective of ourselves, other Ubyssey journalists and The Ubyssey as a whole.
- We consider perceptions created when we share, republish, link or interact with content. We strive to avoid having such actions appear to be endorsements.
- We understand that should our social media activity create a perception of bias, it would influence decisions section editors and the editor-in-chief make on who can cover certain stories.
- Ubyssey journalists are asked to not post or share partisan, defamatory or false material on social media, in person or through other avenues.
Activities that can constitute a conflict of interest such as involvement in a student group or movement or partisan posting about a movement on social media can result in being prohibited from reporting on related subjects. Reporting includes all aspects of the publication process including but not limited to writing, editing, interviewing, photographing, illustration and copyediting.
Unpublishing and embargoes
As with confidential sources, embargoed materials and stories must be approved by an editor. If an agreed-upon embargo is broken by mistake, The Ubyssey may temporarily make it less prominent and difficult to search including search engine deindexing, the removal from The Ubyssey’s front page or other measures subject to the discretion of the relevant section editor and editor-in-chief.
Generally, an article will not be unpublished by The Ubyssey in the interest of the historical record and in order to remain accountable to our audience and our community. However, The Ubyssey will consider unpublishing an article in specific circumstances, such as if there is a large factual error, the story is defamatory or the story violates a publication ban or another legal or ethical restriction.
As online material remains accessible indefinitely, we receive requests to remove stories by audience members who are either principals in stories, or are affected by them. The Ubyssey values compassion in considering unpublishing requests, and will consider the impact that a widely available story can have on a person’s life. It is essential for the editor-in-chief to keep in mind that authors and sources from marginalized groups may have different perceptions of risks and harm than they do.
Unpublishing requests are at the discretion of the editor-in-chief and are governed by The Ubyssey’s unpublishing policy.