PUGAT’s editorial principles draw on the Turkish Press Council’s Code of Professional Principles of the Press, the German Press Council’s Press Code (Pressekodex) and international texts on journalistic ethics. They guide our authors, editors and contributors, and tell our readers what they can expect from us.
1. Accuracy and sources
- We base factual claims on verifiable sources, which we list in the “Sources” section at the end of each article.
- Information published elsewhere is not passed on unless we are confident it is accurate. Content taken from another publication is used with attribution.
- We clearly mark unverifiable claims as “allegations”. We do not present estimates, assessments or opinions as facts.
- We check that figures, dates and titles are up to date. To older articles whose content has become outdated, we add an update note that gives the time context.
2. Separating fact and opinion
The type of each article (Analysis, Commentary, Guide, Essay, Portrait, Q&A, etc.) is shown above the headline. Commentaries and essays reflect the author’s opinion, not PUGAT’s institutional position.
3. Fairness and the presumption of innocence
- No one is declared “guilty” unless their guilt has been established by a final court decision. Investigations and prosecutions are reported as such.
- Before serious allegations are published about people or institutions that are the subject of our reporting and analysis, their views are included wherever possible.
- We do not use language that goes beyond legitimate criticism or that is degrading or defamatory.
- A person’s behaviour is not linked to their ethnic origin, religion, denomination, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability or migration status unless this is directly relevant to the story.
4. Privacy and vulnerable people
- People’s private lives are not reported on unless there is an overriding public interest.
- We do not publish the identities, or photographs that would make them recognisable, of anyone under 18, in whatever capacity (suspect, victim or witness).
- The identities of victims of sexual violence and domestic violence are not disclosed.
- Suicides are not reported unless the public interest requires it; when they are, methods are not described and sources of help are given.
- In content about asylum seekers, migrants and dissidents, we do not publish information that could endanger the safety of those concerned or their relatives.
5. Violence and terrorism
We publish nothing that glorifies violence or terrorism, spreads its propaganda or celebrates its perpetrators. Details of attacks are limited to what the public needs to know. Articles with distressing content carry a warning at the top.
6. Protection of sources
The identity of sources who provide information on condition of confidentiality is protected. This protection lapses if it becomes clear that the source knowingly misled the reader.
7. Images
- We publish only images we have the right to use. For licensed images, the source and licence are given below the image.
- Where no suitably licensed image is available, we use abstract illustrations or AI-generated images. These are never presented as documenting a real event or person and are labelled “generated with AI”.
8. Use of artificial intelligence
PUGAT’s editors use artificial intelligence tools at certain stages of the publishing process, within the following limits:
- Supporting tasks: standfirsts and “In brief” summaries, headline and SEO suggestions, social media texts, spelling and consistency checks, help with source and fact checking, image generation, and translations into English and German.
- Human responsibility: The ideas in an article and its byline belong to its author. Every element prepared with AI is the responsibility of the editors and is checked by them. Content prepared and published automatically is reviewed afterwards by an editor.
- Limits: AI is not used to invent sources, attribute statements to real people or alter the author’s views.
9. Bylines
Articles are published under their authors’ names. Content prepared by our contributors in different European countries may, where necessary, be published under a byline naming the country rather than the person (for example “PUGAT Germany”). These bylines are intended to protect our contributors’ safety; the editors are responsible for the content.
10. Corrections and right of reply
- When we notice an error, or one is reported to us, we correct it without delay. Corrections that change the meaning are noted, with their date, at the end of the article.
- People and institutions we have reported on can submit requests for a reply or correction via the form on our Contact page by choosing the subject “Request for correction or right of reply”.
11. Independence and conflicts of interest
- We accept no gifts, financial benefits or privileges from people or institutions that are the subject of our reporting and analysis.
- Authors inform the editors of any personal interest in, or connection to, the subject they write about; where necessary, this is disclosed in the article.
- We do not publish advertising or promotional content. Should this principle change, such content will be clearly labelled.
12. Comments
Reader comments are moderated by the editors. Comments containing insults, hate speech, threats, disclosure of personal data or spam are not published or are removed.
