📰 Surma Times – Complete Editorial Policy

Surma Times is a leading Bangladeshi newspaper registered by the government of Bangladesh. The editorial policy is a reflection of our commitment to uphold responsible journalism, factuality, impartiality, and to serve both domestic and diasporic communities. All aspects of reporting, editing, publishing and digital activities within all of our print and web-based platforms will comply with this editorial policy.

📰 1. Factuality, Verification & Honesty

Surma Times places priority on accurate, verifiable and evidentiary based reporting. All material published by us must be:
• Verified by credible sources
• Double checked for accuracy
• Presented free from misrepresentation
• Rumors, unsubstantiated reports, and speculation will not be published.

Accuracy Standards

Fact-checking Guidelines

⚖️ 2. Editorial Freedom

Surma Times operates independently of:
• Political parties
• Influence of the government
• Advertisers
• Special interest groups
Editorial decisions at Surma Times are made exclusively in the interest of the public.

Editorial Independence Policy

🌍 3. Community Focused Journalism

Because we are a newspaper with roots in Sylhet and have readers around the world, Surma Times focuses on:
• Diaspora issues
• Achievements of the community
• Matters of public concern
• Cultural identity
• Regional/local matters
Coverage aims to reflect the voices and experiences of the people and community of both Bangladesh and the global Sylheti diaspora.

Community Coverage Principles

🕊️ 4. Objectivity, Fairness and Balance

Surma Times attempts to report all perspectives of a story fairly. We attempt to provide:
• Balanced reporting
• A clear distinction between reporting of facts and opinions
• No reporter/editor biases in any way
• Equal opportunities for responses to allegations
Opinion pieces will always identify themselves as such.

Neutrality Guidelines

🔍 5. Openness/Transparency & Correcting Errors

Surma Times operates openly with regard to all of our editorial processes. If we make mistakes, we correct them immediately and clearly.

Corrective measures will include:
• What was wrong
• How it was fixed
• When we corrected it

Corrective Policy

📢 6. Prioritizing the Public Interest

The selection of stories to publish will depend on whether they can benefit the general public (e.g., community welfare; safety and awareness; accountability; social issues; cultural preservation; diaspora-related issues). Commercial or political interests should never affect editorial decisions.

Public Interest Criteria

🌐 7. Responsible Use of Technology & Data Ethics

Surma Times uses technology responsibly as part of our digital publishing process, which includes:
• Securely managing data
• Protecting user’s right to privacy
• Accessibility to all readers
• Legitimate use of technology
• Maintaining accessible public tools (unicode converter; Photocard Studio)

Digital Ethics Policy

🤝 8. Respectful Treatment, Sensitivity & Dignity

Surma Times does not publish material that:
• Promote hate/discrimination
• Harm vulnerable persons
• Exaggerate tragedy
• Violate individual dignity
Reporting of crimes/deaths/minor-related/sensitive issues follows strict ethics principles.

Sensitivity Reporting Guidelines

🗞️ 9. Protecting Sources & Confidentiality

Surma Times will protect confidentiality of sources if revealing them could lead to:
• Risk to safety
• Retaliation against the source
• Invasion of privacy
• Undermining legitimate investigative reporting using anonymous sources

📚 10. Ethical Behaviour of Journalists/Collaborators

All journalists/contributors of Surma Times must operate ethically according to:
• Honesty
• Integrity
• Professionalism
• Respecting truth
• No plagiarism
• No fabrication
• No conflict of interest

Editorial Code of Conduct

🛡️ 11. Complying with Laws/Legislation

Surma Times is compliant with:
• The Press & Publications Act of Bangladesh
• Relevant UK digital publishing standards
• Copyright legislation
• Defamation laws
• Privacy regulation(s)

Review of legal compliance may be required where appropriate.

🧭 12. Accountability to Readership/Community

Surma Times is answerable to its readers/community. We encourage:
• Feedback
• Corrections
• Input from the community
• Engagement with readers

Our goal is to serve the public with integrity and openness.