Ethics & Diversity Policy

At KeloNews, we believe that trust is the foundation of journalism. Our mission is to provide the United States with high-quality, real-time news and fact-checks that are fair, accurate, and inclusive. To maintain this trust, our newsroom operates under the following ethical and diversity standards.

1. Ethical Standards & Integrity

KeloNews adheres to the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) Code of Ethics. We are committed to:

  • Seeking Truth and Reporting It: We are honest, fair, and courageous in gathering, reporting, and interpreting information.

  • Minimizing Harm: We treat sources, subjects, and colleagues as human beings deserving of respect. We show special sensitivity when dealing with children, victims of crime, or inexperienced sources.

  • Acting Independently: Our primary obligation is to the public. We avoid conflicts of interest and resist pressure from advertisers, donors, or political groups to influence our coverage.

  • Being Accountable: We are transparent about our reporting processes and are quick to correct errors through our established Corrections Policy.

2. Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

We believe that news is most effective when it reflects the diverse community it serves. KeloNews is committed to fostering an environment of inclusion, both in our newsroom and in our reporting.

  • Diverse Representation: We strive to include a wide range of voices and perspectives in our stories, covering different races, ethnicities, genders, ages, religions, sexual orientations, and geographic locations across the United States.

  • Preventing Bias: Our editorial team is trained to identify and eliminate unconscious bias. We avoid stereotypes and ensure that our “Real Fact Checks” are applied equally to all public figures and organizations, regardless of ideology.

  • Inclusive Hiring: We actively seek to build a team of journalists and contributors from diverse backgrounds, believing that a varied team leads to more comprehensive and nuanced storytelling.

3. Editorial Independence & Sponsorship

To protect our journalistic integrity, KeloNews maintains a strict “firewall” between our editorial team and our business operations.

  • No Pay-for-Play: We never accept payment in exchange for a favorable news story or fact-check.

  • Clear Disclosures: Any content that is sponsored, provided by a partner, or involves an affiliate relationship is clearly labeled as “Sponsored Content” or “Advertisement.”

  • Independent Fact-Checking: Our “Real Fact Check” desk operates independently of any commercial interests. We do not allow advertisers to preview or influence our verification results.

4. Sourcing and Transparency

  • Source Verification: We identify sources whenever possible. We believe the public is entitled to as much information as possible on a source’s reliability.

  • Anonymous Sources: We use anonymous sources only when the information is of high public interest and cannot be obtained otherwise, and when the source is at risk of harm. We always explain to our readers why anonymity was granted.

  • Transparency in Methods: We explain our reporting and fact-checking methods to our audience so they can follow our logic and verify the facts for themselves.

5. Social Media Ethics

Our staff represents KeloNews even on private social media accounts. We expect our team to maintain professional decorum, avoid public political campaigning that could compromise their perceived neutrality, and refrain from posting unverified information.

6. Reporting a Violation

If you believe a member of the KeloNews team has violated these ethical or diversity standards, we want to hear from you. We take all complaints seriously and will conduct an internal review.

  • Email: ethics@kelonews.com

  • Address: 308 Main St, Lincolnville, KS 66858, USA

  • Phone: +1 925-435-2562