Ethics

The Citizen Bulletin is a nonprofit, digital-first newsroom that covers the greater region of Matabeleland, Southwestern Zimbabwe. Our work adheres to the Voluntary Media Council of Zimbabwe (VMCZ) Code of Ethics for Digital Media, complemented by our own in-house guidelines. These rules underscore our commitment to original, truthful, and thoroughly fact-checked journalism. In rare circumstances where deviations from these rules are necessary, we pledge to be transparent and provide clear explanations.

Attribution & Sourcing

Journalism in Zimbabwe comes with significant risks. To protect the safety of our contributors, The Citizen Bulletin permits the use of pseudonyms for reporters, provided they present verifiable justification and consistently use the same pseudonym for all contributions. Similarly, reporters may grant anonymity to sources if a valid justification exists. However, full details of anonymous sources must be disclosed to senior editors, who are required to handle such information with strict confidentiality. This ensures both the credibility of our reporting and the protection of those involved.

Reporting Ethics

Our reporters are strictly prohibited from misrepresenting themselves or misleading a source to secure an interview or story. They are also not permitted to pay or promise payment to a source for interviews. Primary subjects and sources of criticism in our stories are granted a right of reply, and reporters are required to exhaust all reasonable methods to contact them. Recommended methods include direct phone calls, SMS or WhatsApp messaging, and emails.

Fabrication—creating false information, quotes, individuals, or any story elements—and plagiarism—using someone else’s work without proper attribution—are strictly forbidden at The Citizen Bulletin. All photo illustrations, graphics, or animations used by our reporters and editors must be clearly labeled, with sources properly credited. While technical enhancements to photos, videos, or audio recordings are permitted, the substance of the material must remain unaltered to prevent misinformation. If you notice any omissions or inaccuracies, please contact us promptly at Newsroom@thecitizenbulletin.org.

Corrections

As human beings, we acknowledge that mistakes may occur in our reporting. We take full responsibility for any errors and are committed to correcting them transparently. If you spot an error in any of our stories or website content, please inform us immediately. Updates will be made promptly and accurately. You can report potential errors to Newsroom@thecitizenbulletin.org.

Impartiality, Independence, and Conflicts of Interest

Our reporters are prohibited from working on stories or projects where they have a financial or personal vested interest. Any potential conflict of interest must be disclosed before pitching a story. Reporters who contribute to other publications are required to disclose all journalistic affiliations before pitching to The Citizen Bulletin. Full-time employees may take on consultancy roles with external organizations (excluding political parties and terror organizations), provided these roles are cleared by their supervisors and remain strictly journalistic.

While The Citizen Bulletin does not cover promotional events like rallies, workshops, conferences, or product launches, reporters may attend to gain knowledge, build relationships, or network with future sources. Additionally, reporters and non-editorial staff are prohibited from accepting gifts or favors that could compromise the outlet’s impartiality or credibility. They may not accept transport reimbursements after traveling for stories or ride in vehicles owned by sources or the company during reporting assignments.

Ai Journalism

At The Citizen Bulletin, we leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance our storytelling and audience engagement, while upholding our ethical standards. AI supports the creation of interactive newsletters that deliver tailored content based on reader preferences. It also enables us to present complex data through dynamic visualizations, making our reporting more accessible and impactful. While AI helps streamline workflows and enrich audience experiences, all AI- generated content is rigorously curated and fact-checked to align with our commitment to truth, accuracy, and transparency.