As a member of the iPolitics network, Compass News abides by the journalistic practices and principles of iPolitics Limited. Below is a comprehensive overview of this statement.
Compass News has been serving local Canadian communities since 2023. Through unending dedication and coverage of these communities, Compass News continues to be an integral part of the local news ecosystem. Being the beacon of meaningful and informative news is what Compass News does best.
iPolitics has been Canada’s leading source of political news, analysis, and accountability journalism since 2010. We cover federal politics, Ottawa’s bureaucracy, and public policy issues that shape the lives of Canadians from coast to coast to coast. Our readers include elected officials, senior public servants, lobbyists, journalists, policy professionals, and engaged citizens who depend on us for reliable, rigorous, and independent reporting.
The practices and principles reflected in this document represent the foundation of our publishing at iPolitics. They represent our commitment to public interest, to the people we cover, and to the readers who trust us with their time and attention. These standards apply to all editorial staff, contributing writers, and freelancers who produce content for Compass News.
1. Independence
Compass News operates free from the influence of government, political parties, advertisers, and any other external interests. Our editorial decisions are made solely on the basis of news value and journalistic merit.
No government, political actor, advertiser, or financial backer has any role in determining our journalistic coverage, methods, or conclusions. Pressure from any such sources to alter, suppress, or skew our reporting will be refused.
We do not allow advertising, sponsorship, or corporate relationships influence our editorial content in any way. Advertising content is clearly distinguished from editorial content through proper categorization. These categorizations are clearly demonstrated through prominent labels, as to ensure transparency with our readership.
2. Accuracy
Accuracy is the bedrock of credible journalism. We are committed to getting the facts right before we publish. We verify information from multiple sources wherever possible, and we do not publish claims we cannot substantiate.
We take the following specific steps to ensure accuracy:
- All factual claims are verified before publication through primary sources, official records, or independent corroboration.
- Data, statistics, and research findings are checked against original source documents, not secondary reports.
- Statements attributed to individuals are confirmed as accurate representations of what was said or written.
- Headlines, social media posts, and promotional text accurately reflect the content of the underlying story and are never sensationalized.
When errors occur, we correct them promptly, prominently, and transparently. Corrections are appended to the original story and, where warranted, noted on social media. We do not silently alter published content. The nature of any correction is clearly explained to readers.
3. Fairness
We treat the subjects of our journalism fairly. Fairness does not mean false balance; we do not give equivalent weight to claims that are not equally supported by evidence. It means that we approach every story without predetermined conclusions, that we apply consistent standards to all political parties and actors, and that we give all parties who are subject of serious allegations or criticism a meaningful opportunity to respond before we publish.
We do not pursue journalism motivated by personal animus, partisan advantage, or commercial interest. We hold all parties, governments, and political figures to the same standards regardless of their ideology, affiliation, or relationship with our organization.
4. Transparency
We are open with our readers about who we are, how we work, and what standards govern our journalism.
We identify our sources as specifically as possible. Anonymous sources are used when the information is of significant interest to our readers, cannot be obtained any other way, and when the individual has a credible reason for not speaking on the record.
We do not use anonymous sources to make allegations that individuals would not be willing to make on the record. Anonymous sources are never used as the sole basis for a story involving serious allegations against named individuals or institutions.
When iPolitics has a direct stake in a story (coverage of media policy, press freedom, or issues that directly affect our organization, e.t.c.), we disclose that interest to readers.
5. Conflicts of Interest
Compass News journalists do not allow personal, financial, or political interests to influence their reporting. All staff and contributors are expected to disclose to editors any potential conflicts of interest that could affect their coverage or the public’s perception of their impartiality.
Journalists at Compass News:
- Do not cover politicians, organizations, or policy areas in which they have a direct personal or financial interest without prior disclosure and editorial approval.
- Do not accept gifts, hospitality, or other benefits from sources, governments, political parties, lobbyists, or organizations they cover.
- Do not do paid work, including speaking engagements, consulting, or communications work for parties they cover without explicit editorial approval and, where appropriate, public disclosure.
- Do not publicly campaign for political candidates or parties, hold elected office, or take on official roles in partisan political organizations.
Freelancers and contributors are held to the same conflict-of-interest standards. Any undisclosed conflicts identified after publication will be transparently with readers.
6. Privacy
Compass News respects the privacy of individuals and recognizes that the public interest in transparency must be weighed against the harm that unwanted disclosure can cause. We apply particular care when our journalism touches the lives of private individuals and those who have not voluntarily entered public life.
Public figures have a reduced expectation of privacy with respect to the exercise of that power. Their professional conduct, public statements, and use of public resources are legitimate subjects of scrutiny. Their personal lives are not, except where directly relevant to their public duties or where they have raised those matters themselves.
We take extra care in stories involving victims of crime, people experiencing mental health crises, minors, and others in situations of vulnerability. The threshold for publishing information that could cause significant harm to such individuals is high and is cleared only when the public interest is compelling and proportionate.
7. Harm and Public Interest
We recognize that journalism can cause harm (to reputations, relationships, careers, and to individuals’ safety and wellbeing). We approach that responsibility with the utmost level of seriousness. Before publishing information that could cause harm, we ask whether there is a genuine and proportionate public interest that justifies that harm.
The public interest includes: exposing wrongdoing, abuse of power, corruption, deception, or serious failures in the exercise of public duties; providing citizens with information essential to participating in democratic life; and ensuring that public institutions and those who lead them are accountable to the people they serve.
8. Digital and Social Media
The same standards of accuracy, fairness, and independence that govern our published journalism apply to how iPolitics staff conduct themselves on social media. Journalists’ online conduct reflects on our organization and can affect public perception of our impartiality. iPolitics staff do not share political opinions or advocacy on personal social media accounts in ways that could reasonably be perceived as iPolitics expressing a partisan position.
Breaking news and developing stories are handled with care on all platforms. Speed does not override our standards at iPolitics. We make clear to readers when a story is developing, what is confirmed, and what remains uncertain.
9. Use of Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies
Compass News is committed to transparency in how we use artificial intelligence and other emerging tools in our journalism. AI tools may be used to assist with research, transcription, translation, data analysis, or administrative tasks, but all editorial judgement, verification, and accountability for published content rests with human journalists and editors. As always, we rely on the solid, foundational values laid out in our Compass News Journalistic Standards to guide us in our approach and use of AI.
We do not use AI to generate quotes, fabricate sources, or produce content designed to mimic original reporting. All published work that is developed with the assistance of AI tools is clearly disclosed.
We continuously review our use of technology against the values in this statement. New tools are adopted only when they can be shown to be consistent with our standards of accuracy, transparency, and public interest journalism. At iPolitics, we believe that the power of journalism derives directly from human insights, experiences, and voice.
10. Accountability and Complaints
Compass News holds itself to the same standards of accountability we apply to the public institutions we cover. We welcome feedback, criticism, and complaints from readers and from the subjects of our journalism.
Readers who believe Compass News has made an error are invited to contact our editors directly at [email protected]. We investigate complaints rigorously and respond promptly.
All principles outlined in this statement are published to affirm our commitment to our readers, affiliates, and editorial staff.
These principles are reviewed and updated periodically. Questions about the application of these standards may be directed to [email protected].