Code of Ethics

Adopted: June 2026
Last Reviewed: June 2026

Preamble

Journalism is a public trust. At Entrepreneur Outreach, we believe that ethical journalism is not a constraint on good reporting — it is the foundation of it. This Code of Ethics is the moral compass that guides every editorial decision, every story we publish, and every relationship we maintain with our sources, subjects, readers, and the broader public.

This Code applies to every individual who contributes to Entrepreneur Outreach in an editorial capacity — staff journalists, editors, freelance contributors, guest writers, and interns. It is not a rigid rulebook but a living framework of principles that demands judgment, conscience, and professional integrity in every situation.

We draw inspiration from the global standards set by the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), the Press Council of India, and the ethical traditions of independent journalism, while grounding our practice in the realities of Indian digital media and the entrepreneurship beat we serve.

Our Four Core Principles

Everything in this Code flows from four foundational commitments:

Seek Truth and Report It
Minimize Harm
Act Independently
Be Accountable and Transparent

These are not aspirations. They are obligations.

Part I — Seek Truth and Report It

1.1 Accuracy Is Non-Negotiable

The first duty of a journalist is to get the facts right. At Entrepreneur Outreach:

We verify every significant factual claim before publication through at least one independent, credible source
We distinguish clearly between what we know, what we believe, and what we cannot confirm
We never publish a story we know to be false, misleading, or significantly incomplete
We do not allow deadlines, competitive pressure, or editorial enthusiasm to override our commitment to accuracy
When facts are in dispute, we represent the dispute honestly rather than choosing one side without evidence

1.2 Completeness & Context

A technically accurate story can still mislead if it omits essential context. We commit to:

Providing readers with sufficient background to understand the significance of what they are reading
Not selectively presenting facts in ways that distort the overall picture
Identifying what we do not know and being honest about the limits of our reporting
Updating stories as new facts emerge rather than letting outdated information stand

1.3 Headlines Must Reflect Reality

Headlines, subheadings, social media captions, and preview text must accurately represent the content of the story
We do not use sensationalized, misleading, or clickbait headlines that misrepresent what a story says
Images and graphics used alongside stories must be relevant and not create false impressions

1.4 Original Reporting Over Aggregation

We prioritize original, independently reported journalism over mere aggregation of other publications' work
When we reference or build upon another outlet's reporting, we credit them clearly and add independent editorial value
We never pass off another publication's exclusive reporting as our own

1.5 Distinguishing News from Opinion

News reporting and opinion or commentary are clearly labeled and visually distinct
News reporters do not inject personal opinion into factual reporting
Opinion writers are identified with their credentials and perspectives disclosed

Part II — Minimize Harm

2.1 Ethical Treatment of Sources & Subjects

Every person we write about is a human being, not just a subject. We commit to:

Treating all individuals — regardless of their prominence, power, or position — with basic dignity and respect
Avoiding gratuitous detail that serves no journalistic purpose but causes personal harm
Considering the long-term consequences of publication on individuals' lives, families, and livelihoods
Being especially careful when reporting on private individuals who have not sought public attention

2.2 Protecting Vulnerable People

Extra care is required when our reporting involves:

Individuals in crisis — Those experiencing financial collapse, legal jeopardy, mental health challenges, or personal tragedy
Whistleblowers and confidential sources — Whose safety may depend on our discretion
Victims of fraud, abuse, or crime — Who deserve sensitive handling and whose identity may need protection
Minors — Who are never identified by name in sensitive contexts regardless of parental consent

2.3 Avoiding Discrimination

Our journalism does not demean, stereotype, or marginalize individuals or communities on the basis of:

Caste, religion, or community
Gender or gender identity
Sexual orientation
Regional or linguistic background
Economic status or class
Disability or health condition
Political affiliation

We are vigilant about the language we use and the assumptions embedded in how we frame stories.

2.4 Responsible Reporting on Sensitive Topics

When covering topics with potential for harm — including business fraud, mental health of founders, startup failures, personal financial distress, or legal proceedings — we apply the following principles:

We report what is necessary and proportionate to the public interest
We do not sensationalize failure, tragedy, or personal crisis for traffic
We follow established responsible reporting guidelines where applicable
We consider the impact of publication timing on ongoing legal or investigative processes

2.5 Private Information

We do not publish private information about individuals — including personal financial details, medical information, or family matters — unless it is directly relevant to a legitimate story of public interest
The fact that information is technically available or has been leaked does not automatically make it appropriate to publish
We weigh the public interest in disclosure against the individual's reasonable expectation of privacy

Part III — Act Independently

3.1 Editorial Freedom

Entrepreneur Outreach's editorial decisions are made solely by our editorial team. No external party — advertiser, sponsor, investor, PR agency, government body, or political entity — has the right to direct, influence, or suppress our journalism.

We cover stories based on their news value and public interest, not based on commercial relationships
We do not grant any party editorial review or approval rights over coverage of themselves
We do not suppress legitimate stories because of potential commercial consequences

3.2 Conflicts of Interest

Conflicts of interest — real or perceived — undermine reader trust. Our team members must:

Disclose to editorial leadership any personal, financial, or professional relationship with individuals or organizations they are assigned to cover
Recuse themselves from stories where a conflict exists
Not hold undisclosed financial interests in companies they cover
Not accept gifts, paid travel, or hospitality from sources or PR representatives beyond clearly defined and disclosed limits
Not use their position at Entrepreneur Outreach to seek personal benefit from sources or subjects

3.3 Independence from PR & Promotional Content

Our journalists do not function as promotional vehicles for companies, startups, or individuals
Press releases are starting points for investigation, not finished stories
We do not guarantee coverage in exchange for advertising, paid subscriptions, or event sponsorships
Sponsored content is handled by a separate commercial team and is never presented as editorial journalism

3.4 Political & Ideological Independence

Entrepreneur Outreach does not endorse political parties, candidates, or ideological movements
Our coverage of government policy, regulatory decisions, and political figures affecting the business environment is fair, factual, and balanced
Our journalists do not use our platform to advocate for personal political beliefs

3.5 Relationships with Sources

Healthy source relationships are essential to good journalism. However:

Sources do not control our coverage in exchange for access
We do not grant sources the right to review stories before publication, except to verify direct quotes for accuracy
We are transparent with readers about the nature of our source relationships where relevant
We do not allow source relationships to become so close that editorial judgment is compromised — what journalists sometimes call "going native"

Part IV — Be Accountable and Transparent

4.1 Owning Our Mistakes

We will make errors. What matters is how we respond to them.

We correct factual errors promptly, transparently, and without defensiveness
Corrections are published on the original article with a clear note describing what was wrong and what the correct information is
We do not silently delete or alter published content to conceal errors
We do not issue vague, non-specific corrections that obscure what was actually wrong
We are as transparent about our mistakes as we are about the mistakes of others

4.2 Transparency About Who We Are

We disclose who owns, funds, and operates Entrepreneur Outreach
We are transparent about our commercial model including advertising, sponsored content, and distribution partnerships
We maintain an up-to-date About Us page, Editorial Policy, and Ownership Disclosure
Our journalists publish under their real names with verifiable credentials

4.3 Openness to Criticism

We welcome feedback, criticism, and challenges from readers, sources, and the public
We respond to complaints and concerns in good faith and within reasonable timeframes
We do not use legal threats or platform power to silence legitimate criticism of our journalism
We acknowledge when criticism of our work is valid, even when it is uncomfortable

4.4 Explaining Our Decisions

When our editorial decisions may be confusing or controversial — such as why we covered a story a certain way, why we chose not to name a source, or why we declined to publish certain information — we are willing to explain our reasoning to readers who ask in good faith.

4.5 Reader Engagement

We treat our readers as intelligent adults capable of evaluating information
We do not talk down to our audience or withhold complexity in the name of simplicity
We respond to substantive reader questions and letters where resources permit
We take reader tips and story ideas seriously as a valuable source of editorial leads

Part V — Standards for Digital & Social Media

5.1 Social Media Conduct

Our journalists represent Entrepreneur Outreach on social media even when posting in a personal capacity. We expect:

Social media posts by our team to be factually accurate and not contradict our editorial standards
Journalists to clearly distinguish between their personal opinions and the positions of Entrepreneur Outreach
No sharing of unverified rumours, inflammatory content, or material that would embarrass the publication or harm public discourse
Respectful engagement with readers, sources, and critics online

5.2 Speed vs. Accuracy

Digital publishing creates constant pressure to publish first. We choose accuracy over speed:

We do not publish breaking news based on a single unverified source
We clearly label developing stories as such and update them as information is confirmed
If we publish something that turns out to be incorrect, we correct it immediately and transparently
"Everyone else is reporting it" is not sufficient justification for publishing unverified information

5.3 AI & Emerging Technology

As artificial intelligence becomes part of modern journalism workflows:

AI tools may support but never replace human editorial judgment
AI-generated content is always reviewed, verified, and edited by a qualified journalist before publication
We do not use AI to fabricate quotes, invent sources, or generate fictional events
We are transparent about significant use of AI assistance in our editorial process

5.4 Hyperlinks & Source Citation

We link to primary sources wherever possible so readers can verify information independently
We do not link to sources that we know to be unreliable, biased, or disreputable without clearly noting their limitations
We cite data, reports, and studies accurately and in proper context

5.5 Archives & Historical Content

We maintain accessible archives of our published work
We do not delete published articles without editorial justification and public notice
Historical content that has become significantly misleading due to changed circumstances may be annotated with an editor's note rather than deleted

Part VI — Specific Situations on the Entrepreneurship Beat

6.1 Covering Startups & Funding Rounds

We verify funding announcements independently rather than relying solely on company press releases
We disclose when a story is based primarily on information provided by a company's PR team
We do not allow access to founders or executives to be conditioned on favorable coverage

6.2 Covering Startup Failures & Fraud

We report on business failures, investor disputes, and alleged fraud with the same rigor we apply to success stories
We give accused parties adequate opportunity to respond before publication
We are precise in our language — "alleged," "accused," and "suspected" are used appropriately until legal findings are established
We do not rush to publish damaging allegations without corroborating evidence

6.3 Covering Investors & Venture Capital

We are transparent when our sources have a financial interest in the companies or deals they are commenting on
We identify when expert commentary comes from individuals with a stake in the narrative
We scrutinize investment announcements critically rather than amplifying promotional claims

6.4 Awards, Rankings & Lists

Editorial awards, rankings, and lists published by Entrepreneur Outreach are based on transparent, disclosed criteria
We do not sell positions on editorial lists or awards
Sponsored recognition programs are clearly labeled as commercial and separate from editorial recognition

Part VII — Enforcement & Accountability

7.1 Applicability

This Code of Ethics applies to:

All full-time and part-time editorial staff
Freelance contributors and guest writers
Interns and editorial trainees
Any individual publishing content under the Entrepreneur Outreach brand

7.2 Reporting Ethical Concerns

Any team member who becomes aware of a potential ethics violation is encouraged — and expected — to report it to editorial leadership promptly. Reports can be made to:

📧 entrepreneuroutreach.in@gmail.com

We do not tolerate retaliation against anyone who raises a good-faith ethics concern.

7.3 Consequences of Violations

Violations of this Code of Ethics may result in:

A formal warning and mandatory review
Removal of the offending content from our platform
Public correction or retraction where appropriate
Suspension or termination of the contributor's relationship with Entrepreneur Outreach
Referral to appropriate legal or regulatory authorities in cases of serious misconduct

The severity of consequences will be proportionate to the nature, intent, and impact of the violation.

7.4 External Accountability

Entrepreneur Outreach is committed to accountability beyond our own internal processes. We recognize the role of:

The Press Council of India as a statutory body overseeing journalistic standards
Reader feedback and public criticism as legitimate forms of accountability
Peer review by the journalism community as a healthy check on our standards

A Final Word

Ethics in journalism is not about following a checklist. It is about cultivating the judgment to know what is right when the rules do not give you an easy answer — and having the courage to do it anyway.

At Entrepreneur Outreach, we are covering the people who are building India's economic future. That is a responsibility we take seriously. The entrepreneurs, investors, employees, and communities we write about deserve journalism that is honest, fair, and fearless.

This Code of Ethics is our commitment to them — and to you, our reader.

This Code of Ethics is reviewed annually and updated as needed to reflect evolving journalistic standards and the changing digital media landscape. Suggestions for improvement are welcome at entrepreneuroutreach.in@gmail.com.

Junjaram Thory
Founder, Entrepreneur Outreach
Sangri Internet Pvt. Ltd., Jaipur, Rajasthan, India