Pedoman Siber – World News

Introduction

World News is committed to upholding the highest standards of journalistic integrity, accuracy, and ethical conduct in the digital media landscape. These Cyber Media Guidelines (Pedoman Siber) serve as the operational framework for all editorial activities conducted on our platform, including news gathering, production, publication, and interaction with readers. They are binding for all editors, journalists, contributors, and staff involved in the creation and dissemination of content through World News.

These guidelines are developed in alignment with the principles set forth in the Pedoman Pemberitaan Media Siber established by the Dewan Pers (Press Council of Indonesia), as well as universally recognized standards of professional journalism. By adhering to these guidelines, World News affirms its dedication to serving the public interest with fairness, transparency, and accountability.

1. Scope and Purpose

These Cyber Media Guidelines apply to all content published on the World News platform, accessible at https://world.cnwbanten.id. The guidelines govern the conduct of all editorial personnel, including full-time staff, freelance contributors, and third-party content providers whose work appears on our site.

The primary purposes of these guidelines are to:

Ensure the accuracy, fairness, and impartiality of all news content published on World News.
Establish clear procedures for verification, correction, and retraction of published material.
Protect the rights and dignity of individuals, particularly vulnerable groups such as minors and victims of crime.
Maintain a clear separation between news reporting, opinion, and commercial content.
Provide a transparent mechanism for readers to report ethical violations or request corrections.
Foster public trust in World News as a reliable and responsible source of information.

All editorial decisions made by World News shall be guided by journalistic ethics, applicable laws and regulations, and respect for the public’s right to accurate information. Where conflicts arise, the principles embodied in these guidelines shall prevail over commercial or other considerations.

2. Verification and News Balance

World News adheres to the fundamental journalistic principle that all news content must be verified for accuracy before publication. No news item shall be published without a reasonable effort to confirm its truthfulness, completeness, and relevance.

Verification Standards

Every factual claim in a news report must be supported by credible sources. Journalists are required to seek confirmation from multiple independent sources whenever possible.
Information obtained from social media, online forums, or unverified digital sources must be independently verified through direct contact with relevant parties, official documents, or other authoritative channels before publication.
When information cannot be fully verified, the published report must clearly indicate the unverified nature of the information and the steps taken to confirm it.
Photographs, videos, and audio materials must be assessed for authenticity and context. Digitally manipulated media that could mislead readers is strictly prohibited.

News Balance and Impartiality

World News is committed to presenting balanced reporting. Where a news item involves multiple parties with conflicting perspectives, journalists must make a genuine effort to include all relevant viewpoints.
Journalists shall not suppress material facts or present information in a manner that creates a misleading impression.
When a party cannot be reached for comment before publication, the report must state this clearly and provide an opportunity for the party to respond in a subsequent publication.
Editorial personnel shall maintain independence from political, commercial, and special interests. No journalist shall accept gifts, payments, or favors that could compromise their impartiality.

3. User-Generated Content (UGC) Policy

World News welcomes and values contributions from its readers, including comments, tips, photographs, videos, and other user-generated content. However, to maintain the integrity and quality of our platform, all UGC is subject to the following policies.

Submission and Moderation

Readers may submit content through designated channels on the World News website or via the contact email provided below. By submitting content, users confirm that they hold the necessary rights to the material and grant World News a non-exclusive license to publish, edit, and distribute it.
All user-generated content shall be subject to moderation. World News reserves the right to review, edit, or remove any UGC that violates these guidelines, applicable laws, or community standards.
Content containing hate speech, defamation, incitement to violence, pornography, personal attacks, or discriminatory language shall be removed promptly upon identification.

Verification of UGC

User-generated news tips, photographs, or videos that are intended for publication as news content shall be subject to the same verification standards as content produced by World News journalists.
When UGC is used in news reporting, World News shall clearly attribute the material to its source and, where applicable, note that it has been verified or remains unverified.
World News shall not publish user-generated content that invades the privacy of individuals, particularly minors, or that was obtained through unlawful or unethical means.

Comment Moderation

Comments posted by readers on World News articles do not represent the views of World News or its editorial team.
World News reserves the right to disable comments on sensitive topics where moderation capacity is limited or where the risk of harmful content is high.
Users who repeatedly violate comment policies may be banned from participating in discussions on the platform.

4. Right of Reply and Right of Correction

World News upholds the right of reply (hak jawab) and the right of correction (hak koreksi) as fundamental components of responsible journalism. These rights are recognized under Indonesian press law and are integral to maintaining public trust.

Right of Reply

Any individual, organization, or institution that feels aggrieved by a news report published by World News has the right to submit a reply. The reply must be directly related to the content of the report in question.
Replies must be submitted in writing, clearly identify the article in question (including title and publication date), and state the specific portions being contested, along with supporting evidence where available.
World News shall review all submitted replies promptly. If a reply is deemed valid and relevant, it shall be published in a manner proportionate to the original article, within a reasonable timeframe not exceeding the provisions set by applicable regulations.
World News shall not edit or alter the substance of a submitted reply without the consent of the submitting party, except for corrections to spelling, grammar, and formatting that do not change the meaning.

Right of Correction

If an error is identified in published content, World News shall promptly issue a correction. Corrections shall be published with the same or greater prominence as the original error, depending on the severity and impact of the mistake.
Minor corrections (such as typographical errors) shall be made directly to the article with a note indicating that a correction has been applied.
Significant corrections (such as factual errors that materially affect the meaning of the report) shall be accompanied by an editor’s note explaining the nature of the error and the correction made.
World News shall maintain an internal record of all corrections and retractions for accountability and quality assurance purposes.

5. Retraction and Takedown of News Content

World News recognizes that in certain circumstances, published content may need to be retracted or removed. This process is governed by strict editorial standards to balance the public’s right to information with the rights of individuals who may be harmed by inaccurate or unlawful content.

Grounds for Retraction

Published content is found to contain materially false information that cannot be corrected through standard correction procedures.
Content is determined to violate the law, including defamation, incitement, or infringement of intellectual property rights, as established by a competent authority or court ruling.
Content was published in violation of fundamental journalistic ethics and its continued availability would cause ongoing harm to an individual or group.
Content involves the privacy of minors or victims in a manner that cannot be remedied through redaction or correction.

Takedown Procedures

Requests for takedown must be submitted in writing to the contact email provided below, identifying the specific article, the grounds for the request, and supporting evidence or documentation.
World News shall evaluate each takedown request on its merits, consulting with editorial leadership and legal advisors where necessary.
If a takedown is granted, the article shall be removed from the live website. In cases of significant public interest, World News may publish a notice explaining the removal rather than silently deleting the content.
World News shall not remove content solely on the basis of political pressure, commercial interests, or to avoid legitimate criticism. Every removal must be justified by reference to these guidelines or applicable law.
Court orders requiring the removal of content shall be complied with in accordance with applicable legal procedures, and World News reserves the right to seek legal remedies where such orders are deemed unjustified.

6. Distinction Between News, Opinion, and Advertising

World News is committed to maintaining a clear and unmistakable separation between news content, opinion content, and advertising. This distinction is essential for preserving the credibility of our journalism and protecting readers from confusion.

News Content

News articles report facts and events objectively, without the author’s personal opinions or editorial commentary. News content is subject to rigorous verification and balance standards as described in Section 2 of these guidelines.
News articles shall not be influenced by advertisers, sponsors, or any party with a commercial or political interest in the subject matter.

Opinion and Editorial Content

Opinion articles, editorials, columns, and analysis pieces shall be clearly labeled as such. Labels may include “Opinion,” “Editorial,” “Analysis,” “Commentary,” or similar designations that unambiguously distinguish the content from news reporting.
Opinion content expresses the views of the author or the editorial board, not necessarily the views of World News as an institution. Authors of opinion content shall be identified by name and, where relevant, their professional affiliation.
Opinion content must still adhere to basic standards of factual accuracy. Facts cited within opinion pieces shall be verifiable, and writers shall not knowingly misrepresent factual information.

Advertising and Sponsored Content

All advertising material, advertorials, sponsored content, and native advertising shall be clearly and prominently labeled as such. Labels may include “Advertisement,” “Sponsored,” “Promoted,” or “Advertorial,” and shall be visible to readers without requiring additional interaction.
Sponsored content shall be visually distinct from editorial content, using different formatting, fonts, or layout elements to minimize the risk of confusion.
Advertisers and sponsors shall have no influence over the editorial content of World News. The editorial team maintains full independence in determining what news to cover and how to cover it.
World News shall not publish advertising that is deceptive, misleading, or that mimics the appearance of news articles without clear labeling.

7. Protection of Privacy, Minors, and Victims

World News is committed to protecting the privacy, dignity, and well-being of individuals who appear in or are affected by our news reporting. Special consideration is given to vulnerable groups, including minors, victims of crime, and victims of sexual violence or abuse.

Protection of Privacy

Journalists shall respect the privacy of individuals. Private information shall only be published when it is demonstrably in the public interest and cannot be obtained through less intrusive means.
Journalists shall not trespass on private property, intercept private communications, or engage in covert recording without legitimate public interest justification and editorial approval.
Information about an individual’s health, finances, family relationships, or other private matters shall not be published unless it is directly relevant to a matter of public interest.

Protection of Minors

The identities of minors (individuals under the age of 18) who are involved in legal proceedings, whether as victims, witnesses, or alleged offenders, shall be protected. This includes names, photographs, addresses, schools, and any other identifying information.
Images of minors shall not be published without appropriate consent from parents or legal guardians, except in cases where the minor is in a public setting and the image is not used in a context that could harm the minor’s well-being.
Content involving minors shall be approached with heightened sensitivity. World News shall consider the potential short-term and long-term impact of publication on the minor’s psychological and social well-being.

Protection of Victims

The identities of victims of sexual violence, domestic abuse, human trafficking, and other traumatic crimes shall be protected. Identifying details shall be withheld unless the victim provides explicit, informed consent for publication.
Victims shall be treated with dignity and respect. Journalists shall avoid sensationalism, graphic descriptions, or language that re-traumatizes victims or their families.
Contact with victims shall be conducted with sensitivity, allowing victims to decline interviews or set conditions for engagement without pressure.
In cases involving suicide, World News shall follow best practices for responsible reporting, avoiding graphic details, speculation about causes, and language that could contribute to contagion.

8. Reporting Violations and Filing Complaints

World News is dedicated to transparency and accountability. Readers who believe that our published content violates these Cyber Media Guidelines, applicable press ethics, or Indonesian law are encouraged to report their concerns. All reports shall be taken seriously and handled with due diligence.

How to Report a Violation

Reports of ethical violations, requests for correction, right of reply submissions, or takedown requests may be submitted via email to:

Email: [email protected]

When submitting a report, please include the following information to help us process your complaint efficiently:

The title and URL of the article in question, if available
The date of publication
A clear description of the alleged violation or error
Supporting evidence or documentation, where applicable
Your name and contact information (anonymous reports may be considered but may limit our ability to investigate thoroughly)

Handling of Complaints

World News shall acknowledge receipt of all formal complaints within a reasonable timeframe, usually within 3 (three) working days.
Complaints shall be reviewed by the editorial team, with escalation to senior editorial leadership where the matter involves significant ethical questions or potential legal implications.
World News shall communicate the outcome of the review to the complainant, including any actions taken or the reasons for declining the request.
If a complainant is dissatisfied with the resolution, they may pursue the matter through the Dewan Pers or other competent authorities in accordance with applicable regulations.

9. Adherence to Dewan Pers Principles

World News recognizes and respects the role of the Dewan Pers (Press Council of Indonesia) as the institution responsible for upholding press freedom and journalistic ethics in Indonesia. These Cyber Media Guidelines are drafted in alignment with, and are intended to operationalize, the principles set forth in the following instruments:

The Journalistic Code of Ethics (Kode Etik Jurnalistik)</