Editorial Values of Surma Times

Surma Times has adopted ten (10) specific editorial values, which provide the framework for all the company’s journalism practices, reporting practices, and public commitments. As a Bangladeshi mainstream newspaper with a global audience, we have created these values to represent the principles of factuality, impartiality, and responsibility to the community.

Accuracy & Verification

Surma Times will publish accurate and reliable information. Every report submitted to us is thoroughly checked to verify it is understandable, correct and credible.

Accuracy Standards
Fact-checking Procedures

⚖️ 2. Editorial Independence

Surma Times will remain completely independent from political parties, commercial organizations and other forms of outside interference. All editorial decisions are made exclusively in the best interest of the public.

Policy on Editorials Independence

🌍 3. Representation of Communities

As a newspaper that originated in Sylhet but has an international presence through the internet, Surma Times will prioritize coverage of issues that reflect the voices, concerns and achievements of both homeland and diaspora communities.

Principles for covering Communities

🕊️ 4. Impartiality & Fairness

Surma Times will fairly cover all perspectives regarding an issue. Opinion pieces will always be presented separately from news coverage.

Guidelines for Impartiality

🔍 5. Transparency

Surma Times will clearly identify its sources of information. We will also clearly explain our editing process. If Surma Times makes an error in their reports, we will make a correction immediately and clearly.

Policy on Corrections

📢 6. Journalism for the Public Interest

We believe the primary purpose of journalism should be to inform and help the public by presenting them with relevant information on matters that affect the public. In particular, this applies to the Bangladeshi and British-Bangladeshi communities.

Criteria for Public Interest Stories

🌐 7. Responsibility in Digital Media

In addition to being a leading online publication, Surma Times recognizes its responsibility to uphold the highest standards of modern digital technologies. This includes the proper use of technology, privacy, and accessibility. We maintain public utilities like the Bangla Unicode Converter and Photocard Studio.

Digital Ethics Policy

🤝 8. Respectful & Sensitive Treatment

Surma Times will avoid reporting anything that might promote prejudice, hatred or harm towards others. When dealing with difficult subjects such as crime, disaster, or when covering vulnerable people, we will treat all subjects with respect and sensitivity.

-Sensitivity Reporting Guidelines

🗞️ 9. Accountability

Surma Times believes we are accountable to our readers, to our communities and to our lawful duties under the Government of Bangladesh and U.K. digital publications.

Framework for accountability

📚 10. Professional Journalistic Practice

All of our reporting follows recognized ethical codes for journalists, such as honesty, integrity and respect for the truth.

Code of Professional Conduct for Journalists