Reuters journalists required to take mandatory ethics training

Reuters editor in chief Stephen Adler sent out the following email to the editorial staff on Wednesday:

A few months ago, Alix Freedman and I encouraged everyone in Reuters to renew our commitment to the Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. These guiding principles of integrity, independence and freedom from bias are integral to the way we work and essential to our well-earned reputation as the most credible and respected news organization in the world.

Our strong Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption policy helps us stay true to these principles, offering further guidance from the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics to navigate what is appropriate in terms of gift giving, entertaining and retaining third parties. As journalists, we have an important responsibility to make sure the choices we make every day align with Thomson Reuters high standards, and to ensure that the third party freelancers and consultants that we engage understand and comply with these high standards, everywhere we operate. The choices we make every day matter – we must always refrain from making or offering improper payments or benefits and keep accurate and fully transparent books and records. I’ve said it before but it’s worth repeating: No story is worth damaging our reputation.

New, mandatory learning

To ensure that all Editorial employees are well informed on this policy, we will soon be releasing a mandatory 10-minute online course. Please watch for an email from AccelusLMS@thomsonreuters.com with access instructions – and make time to complete the course as soon as possible. The system will track participation and send regular reminders to those who need to complete it.

Your knowledge and ongoing support of this policy is important to preserving our reputation. If you ever have questions about whether a gift, entertainment expense, payment or other benefit is appropriate, don’t hesitate to speak with your manager or write to Ask the Ethics Editor for a prompt and private response from Alix or Gail Gove, our chief counsel.