Mission Statement

To support, strengthen and champion the Dayton Jewish community by providing a forum and resource for Jewish community interests.

Goals

• To encourage affiliation, involvement and communication.
• To provide announcements, news, opinions and analysis of local, national and international activities and issues affecting Jews and the Jewish community.
• To build community across institutional, organizational and denominational lines.
• To advance causes important to the strength of our Jewish community including support of Federation agencies, its annual campaign, synagogue affiliation, Jewish education and participation in Jewish and general community affairs.
• To provide an historic record of Dayton Jewish life.

Ethics Policies

The Dayton Jewish Observer adheres to the Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics

SPJ Code of Ethics

Revised September 6, 2014

Preamble

Members of the Society of Professional Journalists believe that public enlightenment is the forerunner of justice and the foundation of democracy. Ethical journalism strives to ensure the free exchange of information that is accurate, fair and thorough. An ethical journalist acts with integrity.

The Society declares these four principles as the foundation of ethical journalism and encourages their use in its practice by all people in all media.

Seek Truth and Report It

Ethical journalism should be accurate and fair. Journalists should be honest and courageous in gathering, reporting and interpreting information.

Journalists should:

• Take responsibility for the accuracy of their work. Verify information before releasing it. Use original sources whenever possible.
• Remember that neither speed nor format excuses inaccuracy.
• Provide context. Take special care not to misrepresent or oversimplify in promoting, previewing or summarizing a story.
• Gather, update and correct information throughout the life of a news story.
• Be cautious when making promises, but keep the promises they make.
• Identify sources clearly. The public is entitled to as much information as possible to judge the reliability and motivations of sources.
• Consider sources’ motives before promising anonymity. Reserve anonymity for sources who may face danger, retribution or other harm, and have information that cannot be obtained elsewhere. Explain why anonymity was granted.
• Diligently seek subjects of news coverage to allow them to respond to criticism or allegations of wrongdoing.
• Avoid undercover or other surreptitious methods of gathering information unless traditional, open methods will not yield information vital to the public.
• Be vigilant and courageous about holding those with power accountable. Give voice to the voiceless.
• Support the open and civil exchange of views, even views they find repugnant.
• Recognize a special obligation to serve as watchdogs over public affairs and government. Seek to ensure that the public’s business is conducted in the open, and that public records are open to all.
• Provide access to source material when it is relevant and appropriate.
• Boldly tell the story of the diversity and magnitude of the human experience. Seek sources whose voices we seldom hear.
• Avoid stereotyping. Journalists should examine the ways their values and experiences may shape their reporting.
• Label advocacy and commentary.
• Never deliberately distort facts or context, including visual information. Clearly label illustrations and reenactments.
• Never plagiarize. Always attribute.

Minimize Harm

Ethical journalism treats sources, subjects, colleagues and members of the public as human beings deserving of respect.

Journalists should:

• Balance the public’s need for information against potential harm or discomfort. Pursuit of the news is not a license for arrogance or undue intrusiveness.
• Show compassion for those who may be affected by news coverage. Use heightened sensitivity when dealing with juveniles, victims of sex crimes, and sources or subjects who are inexperienced or unable to give consent. Consider cultural differences in approach and treatment.
• Recognize that legal access to information differs from an ethical justification to publish or broadcast.
• Realize that private people have a greater right to control information about themselves than public figures and others who seek power, influence or attention. Weigh the consequences of publishing or broadcasting personal information.
• Avoid pandering to lurid curiosity, even if others do.
• Balance a suspect’s right to a fair trial with the public’s right to know. Consider the implications of identifying criminal suspects before they face legal charges.
• Consider the long-term implications of the extended reach and permanence of publication. Provide updated and more complete information as appropriate.

Act Independently

The highest and primary obligation of ethical journalism is to serve the public.

Journalists should:

• Avoid conflicts of interest, real or perceived. Disclose unavoidable conflicts.
• Refuse gifts, favors, fees, free travel and special treatment, and avoid political and other outside activities that may compromise integrity or impartiality, or may damage credibility.
• Be wary of sources offering information for favors or money; do not pay for access to news. Identify content provided by outside sources, whether paid or not.
• Deny favored treatment to advertisers, donors or any other special interests, and resist internal and external pressure to influence coverage.
• Distinguish news from advertising and shun hybrids that blur the lines between the two. Prominently label sponsored content.

Be Accountable and Transparent

Ethical journalism means taking responsibility for one’s work and explaining one’s decisions to the public.

Journalists should:

• Explain ethical choices and processes to audiences. Encourage a civil dialogue with the public about journalistic practices, coverage and news content.
• Respond quickly to questions about accuracy, clarity and fairness.
• Acknowledge mistakes and correct them promptly and prominently. Explain corrections and clarifications carefully and clearly.
• Expose unethical conduct in journalism, including within their organizations.
• Abide by the same high standards they expect of others.

The SPJ Code of Ethics is a statement of abiding principles supported by explanations and position papers that address changing journalistic practices. It is not a set of rules, rather a guide that encourages all who engage in journalism to take responsibility for the information they provide, regardless of medium. The code should be read as a whole; individual principles should not be taken out of context. It is not, nor can it be under the First Amendment, legally enforceable.

The Dayton Jewish Observer adheres to the American Jewish Press Association Code of Ethics

AJPA Code of Ethics

Membership in the American Jewish Press Association makes it obligatory to practice, honor and scrupulously observe the standards and ethics as set forth in the following:

a. To produce a journalist piece on a regular, seriatim, and uninterrupted basis, whether weekly, biweekly, fortnightly, semimonthly or monthly, and to do so in dedication to progress and development of Jewish life in general and the best interests of the local community being served.

b. To help develop a responsive and well-informed Jewish public by providing news, background material and interpretive matter.

c. To solicit subscriptions and/or advertising patronage solely on the merit of the publication. It is suggested in this connection that the emphasis be on circulation, reader-interest, and devoted and effective service to the community.

d. To cherish and guard the paper’s or other medium’s editorial integrity, dependability and value to the community.

e. To abide fully to the rules and standards set forth in Article XI, Section 11.2 of the AJPA Bylaws, which defines the powers of the Committee on Ethics and Professional Standards and prohibits specific unethical and unprofessional practices.

Violations of AJPA Code of Ethics Defined.

It shall be a violation of the AJPA Code of Ethics and these Bylaws for any members to engage in any of the following:

a. Editorial Practices. The AJPA fully respects the absolute right of any member publications or agencies to have full editorial control or discretion over the contents, opinions and materials to be included in their publications or other communications vehicles. The AJPA Committee on Ethics and Professional Standards will not consider any complaints that would question or challenge the rights of editors, publishers or heads of other member entities to have full editorial discretion over the contents of their publications or other vehicles of communication. At the same time, the AJPA, like other professional journalism organizations, defines certain editorial practices as unacceptable and violations of its Code of Ethics and Bylaws, including the following:

(a). To engage in plagiarism, which is dishonest and unacceptable, within all areas of journalism. “Plagiarism” is defined as: the appropriating of words or images of others without proper attribution, permission or other credit; to imply or state that the words or images of others are that of the publication or other vehicle of communication, either print or electronic; or to pass off as one’s own, the words or images of others.

(b). To fail to obtain advance, and preferably written permission from original sources of editorial material, artwork, photographs, cartoons and other materials from its creator.

(c). To fail to pay promptly the agreed upon price for the words or images of others as defined above.

(d). To fail to attribute properly to the original source a specific wording relating to a news item, editorial or column, or to quote substantial information from another source without proper attribution.

b. Business Practices. The members of the AJPA are committed to being rigorously honest in all of our business, advertising and marketing practices so as to reflect only integrity upon our profession. It shall be a violation of the AJPA Code of Ethics and these Bylaws, for any members to engage in any of the following:

(a). Misrepresenting the nature, location or circulation of any publication or other communications vehicle, for any purpose. Publications should claim circulation figures that correspond with their official statements of ownership, management and circulation as required by law; other entities should be able to provide documentation to back each figure.

(b). It is recognized that claimed “readership” differs from provable “circulation.” However, claims by media outlets should be clear as to whether they are referring to circulation or readership. Claimed readership could be higher than actual circulation, but should not be exaggerated beyond acceptable industry standards. The AJPA Committee on Ethics and Professional Standard can make a finding that claimed readership figures are unduly inflated and direct a member publication or entity to take corrective action.

(c). To engage in “boiler room” practices consisting of long distance telephone, electronic or mailed solicitations of advertising in areas not being served by the media outlet purported to be represented.

(d). To engage the services of an agency that retains an excessive proportion of the “take” from any advertising sale in comparison to the accepted norms of the advertising profession.

(e). To send invoices for or to publish any advertising that has not been specifically authorized in writing by the client.

(f). To engage in coercive, obnoxious or threatening practices to obtain payment for advertising.

(g). To engage in any fraudulent or misleading practices that bring discredit upon the publication in particular and the American Jewish Press Association in general. To mislead a client or potential client as to the ownership, name, circulation and nature of the media outlet.

The Dayton Jewish Observer Statement of Editorial Independence

The Dayton Jewish Observer adheres to standards of editorial independence adopted by the Institute for Nonprofit News:

The Dayton Jewish Observer retains full authority over editorial content to protect the best journalistic and business interests of our organization. We maintain a firewall between news coverage decisions and sources of all revenue. Acceptance of financial support does not constitute implied or actual endorsement of donors or their products, services or opinions.

We accept gifts, grants, and sponsorships from individuals and organizations for the general support of our activities, but our news judgments are made independently and not on the basis of donor support.

We may consider donations to support the coverage of particular topics, but our organization maintains editorial control of the coverage. We will cede no right of review or influence of editorial content, nor of unauthorized distribution of editorial content.

Donor Transparency Policy

We will make public all donors who give a total of $5,000 or more per year. We will accept anonymous donations for general support only if it is clear that sufficient safeguards have been put into place that the expenditure of that donation is made independently by our organization.

Donors who give $5,000 or more to The Dayton Jewish Observer in 2025: the Charles and Joan Knoll Philanthropic Fund of the Dayton Jewish Foundation and the Gaglione Family Philanthropic Fund of the Dayton Jewish Foundation, $10,000.

The Dayton Jewish Observer Financial Conflict of Interest Policy is an effort (i) to ensure that the deliberations and decisions of The Dayton Jewish Observer are made solely in the interest of promoting the quality of journalism in the state of Ohio, and (ii) to protect the interests of The Dayton Jewish Observer when it considers any transaction, contract, or arrangement that might benefit or be perceived to benefit the private interest of a person affiliated with The Dayton Jewish Observer. As used in this Conflict of Interest Policy, a Dayton Jewish Observer representative includes any employee, ad sales representative or advisor.

Duty to The Dayton Jewish Observer. Dayton Jewish Observer representatives owe a duty to The Dayton Jewish Observer to advance The Dayton Jewish Observer’s legitimate interests when the opportunity to do so arises. Each Dayton Jewish Observer representative must give undivided allegiance when making decisions affecting the organization. Similarly, The Dayton Jewish Observer representatives must be faithful to The Dayton Jewish Observer’s nonprofit mission and are not permitted to act in a way that is inconsistent with the central goals of the organization and its nonprofit status.

Gifts. No Dayton Jewish Observer representative shall personally accept gifts or favors that could compromise his or her loyalty to The Dayton Jewish Observer. Any gifts or benefits personally accepted from a party having a material interest in the outcome of The Dayton Jewish Observer or its employees by a Dayton Jewish Observer representative individually should be merely incidental to his or her role as a Dayton Jewish Observer representative and should not be of substantial value. Any gift with a value of $30 or more, or any gifts with a cumulative value in excess of $30 received by a Dayton Jewish Observer representative in any 12-month period from a single source, shall be considered substantial. Cash payments may not be accepted, and no gifts should be accepted if there are strings attached. For example, no Dayton Jewish Observer representative may accept gifts if he or she knows that such gifts are being given to solicit his or her support of or opposition to the outcome or content of any Dayton Jewish Observer publication.

Travel. If sponsored by a nonprofit organization, travel at a subsidized rate is permitted, as long as sponsor and travel arrangements are made clear in the article and do not compromise objectivity of covering the event.

Conflicts of Interest. The following are examples of conflicts of interest which must be promptly disclosed to The Dayton Jewish Observer Editor and Publisher by any Dayton Jewish Observer representative with knowledge of such conflict of interest:

(a) any real or apparent conflict of interest between a donor or the subject of a Dayton Jewish Observer publication or report and a Dayton Jewish Observer representative;

(b) a Dayton Jewish Observer representative’s ownership of an equity interest in a person or entity that is or will be the subject of a Dayton Jewish Observer publication or report; and

(c) failure to disclose to The Dayton Jewish Observer all relationships between the subject of any Dayton Jewish Observer publication or report and any Dayton Jewish Observer representative or close relatives of Dayton Jewish Observer representative.