Code of Conduct

Applies to: all Sababu journalists, editors, photographers, videographers, designers, social media staff, freelancers and contributors

Effective date: 23 September 2024

Last updated: 3 October 2026

Approved by: Ahmed Naseer, Editor

Purpose

This Code of Conduct sets the professional and ethical standards that everyone who works on Sababu's journalism must follow. Its purpose is to make sure that Sababu, as a news organisation registered and operating in the Maldives, delivers news and information to the public responsibly.

The Code is written to be consistent with the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Regulation Act (Act No. 16/2025) and with the Code of Conduct for broadcasters, media personnel and journalists issued under that Act by the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission. It works alongside the Sababu Editorial Policy. If this Code and the law ever conflict, the law prevails.

Sababu will also use this Code when it considers complaints about content published on sababu.mv, en.sababu.mv or Sababu's official social media accounts.

Our three commitments

Everything in this Code supports three commitments that every Sababu journalist puts first:

1. Truth: we report facts accurately and honestly.
2. Fairness: we treat the people and subjects we report on fairly and without bias.
3. Independence: we work free from political, commercial and personal influence.

Core principles

In their work, Sababu journalists and editors will:

1. respect Islam, the Constitution and the laws of the Maldives;
2. have regard to national security and public safety;
3. respect human rights and human dignity, and uphold accepted social values;
4. protect people's privacy;
5. report truthfully, fairly and transparently;
6. remain free from undue influence;
7. take responsibility for their work; and
8. maintain high standards of professionalism.

Detailed standards

Accuracy and fairness

1. Make every reasonable effort to confirm that news and information is accurate before it is published, on the website or on social media.
2. Never knowingly publish false or misleading information, and never distort or hide the truth of what happened.
3. Report all relevant sides of a story fairly. Give anyone facing a serious allegation or criticism a fair opportunity to respond before publication.
4. When you learn that something you published is wrong, tell an editor at once so that it can be corrected as quickly as possible.
5. Write clearly and plainly. Do not insert your own opinions into news reports.

Gathering information

6. Identify yourself as a Sababu journalist when gathering information, taking photographs or recording video. You may conceal your identity only where there is a clear public interest, the information cannot be obtained in any other way, and an editor has approved it in advance.
7. Record interviews and conversations only with the knowledge and consent of the person being interviewed. Covert recording is permitted only where it is essential to obtaining information of clear public interest that cannot be obtained otherwise, and only with an editor's prior approval.
8. Do not obtain information or images through harassment, threats, deception, payment or other improper means.

Sources and attribution

9. Name the sources of information wherever possible. Where a source asks not to be named, protect their identity and do not reveal it to anyone outside the editorial team without the source's consent. Tell your editor who the source is.
10. Credit other people's work. When using photographs, drawings, video, text or information from another party, state clearly whose it is. Never plagiarise.
11. Use photographs and video that are relevant to the story. Write captions so that the people shown are not wrongly or unfairly associated with wrongdoing.

Privacy, dignity and harm

12. Respect each person's right to privacy. Publish private information only where the public interest clearly justifies it.
13. Do not link a person to their family background, race, nationality, religion, gender, or physical or mental disability in a report unless it is directly relevant to the story.
14. Protect the dignity and rights of children. Do not publish any detail that could identify a child involved in a crime, abuse or other sensitive matter.
15. Do not reveal the identity of a victim of sexual abuse or assault, or any detail that could identify them, without their informed consent.
16. Avoid publishing nudity, sexual content, or material that encourages sexual misconduct.
17. Avoid vulgar or offensive language that falls outside accepted social standards.
18. Publish disturbing or violent images, video or audio only where they are justified by the public interest, and with an editor's approval.
19. Report suicide, terrorism and violence in a way that does not encourage or glamorise them.
20. Do not deliberately publish information that would undermine the independence or sovereignty of the Maldives.

Independence and integrity

21. Do not accept any bribe, payment, gift or favour offered to influence what you write or to stop you from writing.
22. Do not use the access, privileges or opportunities that come with being a journalist for personal gain or to benefit friends, family or business interests.
23. Declare to your editor any personal, financial, family or political interest in a story you are assigned. Step away from that story if an editor decides the conflict is real.
24. Editorial staff may not hold office in a political party. Do not actively campaign for a political party, and do not take part in political party activities.
25. Outside work needs the Editor's approval. Get it before taking on any outside work, in particular for another media outlet, a political party, a government body or a business that Sababu regularly covers.

Conduct on social media

26. Remember that what you post on personal social media accounts can affect Sababu's credibility. Do not post content that shows support for, or opposition to, a political party or candidate.
27. Do not break news on personal accounts ahead of Sababu without an editor's agreement, and do not share unverified information.
28. Do not post confidential editorial information, unpublished material or the identity of confidential sources.
29. Treat members of the public with courtesy online, even when they are hostile.

Moderating reader comments

30. Staff who moderate reader comments on sababu.mv and en.sababu.mv must apply the comment rules in Sababu's Terms and Conditions consistently and impartially, and must not remove comments simply because they criticise Sababu, its staff or a particular viewpoint.
31. Comments that contain defamatory allegations, hate speech, threats, personal information about others, or material that identifies a child or a victim of sexual abuse must be removed promptly.

Professional behaviour

32. Carry out your duties professionally and responsibly, and treat colleagues, interviewees and the public with respect.
33. Use Sababu press passes, equipment and accounts only for Sababu work.
34. Follow all lawful instructions from the relevant authorities at crime scenes, disaster sites and restricted areas, while continuing to report in the public interest.

Breaches of this Code

Any breach of this Code will be dealt with by the Editor. Depending on how serious the breach is, it may lead to correction of the content, a warning, removal from a story or beat, or disciplinary action. Disciplinary matters follow the process in the staff member's employment contract and are handled by the Editor.

Members of the public who believe a Sababu journalist has breached this Code may complain to news@sababu.mv or info@sababu.mv, or call or message 9393535. Complaints may also be made to the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission.

Changing this Code

This Code may be amended by the Editor, after consultation with the editorial staff. Changes take effect when they are published, and all staff will be told about them.