1. Our Mission

Florida Express, a MediaChief publication, is dedicated to providing accurate, fair, and comprehensive news coverage to the residents of Florida. We believe that ethical journalism is the foundation of a well-informed society and a functioning democracy. This Ethics Policy outlines the principles that guide our newsroom.

2. Accuracy & Fact-Checking

• We strive to publish only information we have verified to be accurate. When errors occur, we correct them promptly and transparently.
• All factual claims must be attributed to a named, verifiable source. Unverified information is not published as fact.
• Headlines must accurately reflect the content of the article. Misleading or sensationalized headlines are prohibited.
• Statistics, data, and research findings must be presented in proper context with attribution to the original source.
• When information is uncertain or developing, we clearly communicate this to readers using language such as "according to preliminary reports" or "details are still emerging."

3. Fairness & Impartiality

• We present all sides of a story when reasonably possible. Subjects of negative coverage are given an opportunity to respond before publication.
• We distinguish clearly between news reporting and opinion/editorial content. News articles must be free from reporter opinion.
• We do not use language that demeans or stereotypes individuals or groups based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, or socioeconomic status.
• We use "alleged" or "accused" for unproven criminal accusations. We do not refer to suspects as "guilty" or "criminals" prior to conviction.
• When reporting on legal matters, we distinguish between charges, indictments, arrests, and convictions.

4. Independence & Conflicts of Interest

• Our editorial decisions are made independently of advertisers, sponsors, political entities, and business interests.
• Staff members must disclose any personal, financial, or political interests that could create a conflict of interest with their reporting responsibilities.
• Staff members may not cover stories in which they have a personal or financial interest without disclosure to and approval from editorial leadership.
• We do not accept gifts, favors, or special treatment from sources, subjects, or interested parties that could compromise our independence.

5. Advertising & Editorial Separation

• Advertising content is clearly separated from editorial content. Sponsored articles, native advertising, and advertorials are prominently labeled as such in compliance with Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guidelines.
• Advertisers have no influence over editorial content, headlines, or placement of news stories.
• Paid promotional content is reviewed by editorial staff to ensure it does not mislead readers.
• We comply with FTC 16 CFR Part 255 (Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising).

6. Source Protection

• We protect the identity of confidential sources. Anonymous sources are used only when the information is of significant public interest and cannot be obtained by other means.
• Information from anonymous sources must be independently verified before publication.
• Florida has reporter's privilege protections that we rely upon when necessary to protect sources.
• We do not reveal the identity of victims of sexual assault unless the victim consents.

7. Defamation Prevention

• All published statements of fact about individuals or organizations must be verifiable and supported by evidence.
• Opinion is clearly labeled and based on disclosed facts. Even in opinion pieces, writers must avoid making false statements of fact.
• Reports of criminal activity include proper attribution ("police said," "according to court records") and use appropriate qualifying language ("alleged," "accused," "suspected").
• Before publishing any story that could be considered defamatory, the subject must be contacted for comment. If unable to reach the subject, the article must state that attempts were made.
• We rely on privileged sources (official government records, court documents, legislative proceedings) whenever possible, as these carry legal protection.

8. Privacy

• We respect the privacy of individuals, especially private citizens who are not public figures.
• We do not publish home addresses, phone numbers, or financial information unless there is a compelling public interest.
• We exercise particular caution when reporting on minors, victims of crime, and individuals in vulnerable situations.
• We do not identify juvenile suspects unless they are charged as adults, in accordance with applicable state law.

9. Corrections & Accountability

When we make an error, we correct it promptly and transparently. See our Corrections Policy for details on how we handle corrections, clarifications, and retractions. We take responsibility for our mistakes and view corrections as an essential part of maintaining public trust.

10. Complaints & Concerns

If you believe Florida Express has violated any principle in this Ethics Policy, we encourage you to contact us:

Email: ethics@florida-expres.com
We review all complaints and take appropriate action. See our Contact Page for additional ways to reach us.