Conflicts of Interest Policy

1. Purpose & Commitment to Editorial Independence

Aevum News is fundamentally committed to delivering accurate, unbiased, and independent journalism. This policy establishes clear standards to prevent actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest that could compromise our editorial integrity, credibility, or public trust.

All decisions regarding content, coverage, and publication are made solely based on newsworthiness, factual accuracy, and journalistic merit. No commercial, personal, or political interest shall influence editorial judgment.

Core Principle When in doubt, disclose. Transparency is the foundation of public trust in journalism.

2. Scope & Definitions

This policy applies to all Aevum News employees, freelancers, guest contributors, board members, interns, and contracted agencies. A "conflict of interest" exists when personal, financial, professional, or political interests interfere, or appear to interfere, with the impartial execution of journalistic duties.

Conflicts may be actual, potential, or perceived. Even the appearance of bias can erode reader confidence and must be proactively managed.

3. Financial Conflicts & Disclosures

3.1 Stock Ownership & Investments

Journalists and editors must not hold significant financial interests in companies, organizations, or political entities they cover. Any holdings exceeding $2,500 in direct stock, ETFs, or mutual funds tied to covered sectors must be disclosed annually and updated within 48 hours of any change.

3.2 Sponsorships & Advertising

Aevum News maintains a strict firewall between editorial and commercial operations. Advertisers, sponsors, or revenue partners have zero influence over editorial content. Paid partnerships are clearly labeled and segregated from news reporting.

3.3 Gifts & Hospitality

Staff may not accept gifts, meals, travel, or services from sources, subjects, or advertisers. Nominal promotional items under $25 are permitted but must be logged. All hospitality requests require prior approval from the managing editor.

4. Personal & Professional Relationships

Reporting on close family members, former employers, romantic partners, or close personal associates is prohibited. If a subject matter intersects with personal connections, the journalist must recuse themselves and notify their editor immediately.

Professional relationships that could create dependency or undue influence—including advisory roles, unpaid board positions, or consulting work with covered entities—must be disclosed and reviewed by the Editorial Standards Committee.

5. External Engagements & Public Appearances

Guest Lectures & Panels: Permitted with prior editorial approval. Compensation must be routed through Aevum News and disclosed publicly.
Political Activity: Staff may vote and register, but must remain strictly nonpartisan in public-facing roles. Campaign endorsements, fundraising, or public political advocacy are prohibited during employment.
Freelance & Outside Writing: Concurrent writing for other publications covering similar beats requires approval to prevent competitive overlap or divided loyalty.

6. Disclosure & Review Process

All potential conflicts must be submitted through the internal Disclosure Portal within 72 hours of identification. The process includes:

Submission of a standardized conflict disclosure form
Initial review by the department editor
Escalation to the Editorial Standards Committee for complex cases
Documentation of mitigation strategies or recusal decisions
Annual re-certification of compliance for all staff

Retaliation Policy Aevum News maintains a zero-tolerance policy against retaliation for good-faith disclosures or ethics reporting. All submissions are confidential.

7. Enforcement & Compliance

Violations of this policy may result in editorial reassignment, mandatory retraining, suspension, or termination, depending on severity and intent. The Editorial Standards Committee reserves the right to conduct audits, request documentation, and issue binding rulings on conflict matters.

Corrective actions are documented internally. Public corrections or clarifications will be issued when reader trust or factual integrity has been impacted.

8. Contact & Reporting

Questions regarding this policy, requests for guidance, or reports of potential conflicts should be directed to:

Editorial Standards Committee: ethics@aevumnews.com
Head of Journalism: journalism.director@aevumnews.com
Anonymous Reporting Hotline: +1 (888) 550-AEVUM

This policy will be reviewed annually and updated as needed to reflect evolving journalistic standards, regulatory requirements, and operational best practices.