Our code of ethics
The GenderIT.org code of ethics is based on feminist theory and praxis and is a work in progress. We have developed this bearing in mind that most codes of ethics for journalists have been developed primarily for print media, in an era prior to the connectivity made possible by the internet. They have also largely been inherited from organisations steeped in patriarchy and while there are lots of positive examples of incorporating gender into these codes, we feel that a code of ethics that has a feminist starting point and which takes into account some of the complexities occasioned by the internet can contribute not only to achieving the feminist principles of the internet, but also in debates and discussion on codes of ethics in journalism more broadly.
1. Respect should be the underlying principle in all communications on this site. This includes comments on posts and posts themselves. It includes respect for a diversity of identities, cultural experiences and political contexts. It includes respect for the integrity of the individual(s) behind the posts, regardless of how they choose to identify, if at all.
2. Comments and posts should contribute to debate and discussion. Those that do not will be deleted. If we feel that the issue warrants it, we will post justifications.
3. Power relations are fundamental to persistent inequalities. This is a site aimed at providing a space for marginalised and queer voices to address these inequalities. Therefore, voices from the global South and from marginalised and queer communities will be privileged over other voices.
4. We recognise that violence online is real and has tangible real-world impacts. This is an extension of misogyny that attempts to silence feminist voices regardless of medium. It is a key part of the site's advocacy to address this issue and the gap in understanding and knowledge that surrounds gender-based violence online and through the use of new technologies.
5. GenderIT.org recognises the principle of fluidity of identity and the right to be forgotten. In practical terms this means that GenderIT.org safeguards the privacy of both formal and informal contributors to the site, and allows them control over the manner in which they are represented, if they choose to reveal an identity and what identity they choose to reveal. We expect honesty in all dealings with GenderIT.org.
6. Resistance to the neoliberal, capitalist order is fundamental to realising a feminist space. We manifest this in our commitment to open source technology and copyleft licensing of our articles. Complementary to this, we recognise the historic burdens placed on women and marginalised communities in terms of unpaid or poorly paid labour and resolve to be part of the solution to women's multiple burdens as far as is possible.
7. Access to knowledge is a fundamental human right. We commit to this through the licensing of our material and in a commitment to translate as broadly as resources allow. We also believe that access to knowledge in a digital context is only possible by demystifying technology and using plain language as much as possible.
8. We recognise the rights of survivors to their own story, and recognise that sharing this story is a brave and often empowering act. We also recognise that sharing a story opens up survivors to further abuse. We attempt to balance competing interests in a manner that puts the rights of the individual to their own story at the heart of our decision.
9. The team behind GenderIT.org are fallible. We attempt to be transparent in our decision-making processes, and will attempt to address conflicts that arise as a result of our decisions within the spaces on the website.