Ethics Policy | Man of Many

Scope

This policy applies to staff, contributors to the site and the associated workforce.

Policy Statement

Man of Many is a leading digital news publisher in Australia with offices in Surry Hills, NSW. The community comprises members from diverse backgrounds, religions, cultures and countries.

The organisation’s values of honesty, fairness and mutual respect underpin everything we do. The mission centres on enriching, inspiring and empowering modern men while creating respectful relationships within the broader community. The organisation emphasises acting with integrity when facing ethical issues, embracing diversity and equal opportunity while respecting human rights.

The Ethics Statement outlines expected values and principles for all staff and contributors, providing general decision-making guidance and prompting individuals to identify and resolve ethical questions.

1. Ethics Statement

All staff and associated workforce must adopt ethical approaches in their actions, communications and work activities.

Man of Many as a Media Organisation

Uphold freedom of speech and expression as defining values
Recognise freedom of the press as integral to freedom of speech
Journalists uphold principles of truth and fairness
Journalists strive to uphold freedom of the press using public interest as their work’s basis
Act with integrity, transparency and professionalism at all times
Submit outputs founded only on honest effort and personal achievement
Treat humans and animals humanely and ethically
Promote individual empowerment through learning and societal empowerment through research and news publishing
Owners, executives and senior editors bear responsibility for ensuring editorial staff adherence to these principles

Man of Many as a Place for People to Work

Treat each other with honesty, fairness, mutual respect and responsible exercise of power
Harness diversity promoting equality and inclusivity with openness to different perspectives
Respect inherent dignity, beliefs and human rights of all individuals
Be responsible and accountable for decisions and actions as individuals and organisation

Man of Many in Society

In publishing and advancing knowledge, strive for social justice and redress past wrongs
Act responsibly to promote environmental sustainability
Acknowledge responsibility to contribute to operating communities

2. Application

These core values help challenge preconceptions and lead by example when resolving ethical questions. Commitment to these values drives deep relationships with staff, industry partners and the wider community.

The Ethics Statement supports the community when facing ethical issues but does not replace specific company policies, procedures or applicable rights and obligations. Man of Many acknowledges that staff may have concurrent allegiances to their profession, discipline, community, and religious and cultural traditions.

3. General Guidelines

Accuracy and Fairness

Journalists should seek truth, fairness, objectivity, impartiality and comprehensiveness, ensuring accuracy, fairness and balance at all times. They must not quote out of context or distort facts.

Stories must provide balance by giving individuals, groups or organisations the right of reply. Journalists must never self-censor or be influenced by personal political beliefs or external pressure.

When inaccuracies, misleading facts, wrong figures or distortions occur, corrections are prompt, clear and open.

Sensitivity in Reporting

Journalists should avoid pandering to prurience, indecency and sensationalism, exercising special caution when reporting violence, crime, suicide or involving minors.

Journalists respect individual reputation and privacy, exercising special caution with those declining consent. They must not intrude into children’s privacy.

Public officials’ behaviour and personal data publication requires relevance to their public office or demonstrated public interest.

Conflict of Interest

Journalists must avoid conflict of interest in any form and declare any possible conflict of interest to their line manager. When conflicts exist, another journalist covers the story.

Journalists resist influence by political, economic or personal interests, remaining politically neutral even when conflicting with personal beliefs.

Journalists must not seek monetary or indirect advantages from obtained information. Those reporting on companies or financial instruments in which they or their family hold interests must notify their manager.

Journalists must not distort facts to appease advertisers or yield to external pressure or economic considerations.

Discrimination and Inclusion

Journalists will not discriminate based on age, race, colour, creed, religion, place or circumstance of birth, disability, marital status, gender or sexual orientation. The organisation strives to include diverse voices in coverage and maintain supportive, inclusive workplace culture.

Gifts and Free Trips

Journalists never accept cash gifts from news sources or contacts. Gifts under AUD$200 can be accepted rarely; more valuable gifts must be declared and handed to managers, with employees consulting the internal Gifting Policy.

Social Media

Journalists must clarify that social media opinions are personal and never represent Man of Many’s views. All newsroom discussions, meetings and town halls remain confidential, never shared on social media, blogs or X (formerly Twitter).

Journalists apply newsroom standards of judgment, sourcing, fairness, balance and accuracy to social media activity. Professional social media profiles identify journalists as Man of Many staff; personal accounts require awareness that content reflects on the organisation through employment.

Journalists must never misrepresent themselves in chat rooms or online forums and cannot obtain information illegally through hacking. Publicly available information is acceptable; defeating passwords or security methods is not.

Journalists must be mindful of how their use of social media will reflect on their professionalism and the collective reputation of Man of Many.

4. Guidance

When facing ethical issues, staff and associated workforce should consider:

Does specific legislation or Man of Many policy/procedure apply?
What values from the Ethics Statement are relevant?
Whose interests are potentially affected?
What options exist and their consequences to stakeholders?
What are my duties and obligations?
Which option treats people equally or fairly?
Should I discuss the issue with my supervisor or senior staff member?

5. Final Check

After identifying an approach, staff should ask themselves:

Is my decision consistent with the Ethics Statement?
How would I feel if someone did this to me?
Will this decision bring about a good result?
Would I be happy for this decision on the public record or newspaper cover?
What would Man of Many be like if everyone made decisions like this?
Would I be happy if my family knew about this action?
How will this action affect my character or Man of Many’s character?

6. Breaches

Man of Many treats policy breaches seriously and encourages reporting of concerns about non-compliance, and manages compliance in accordance with the applicable Enterprise Agreement, relevant instrument of appointment and/or applicable contract terms.

Non-compliance may result in disciplinary action up to and including employment termination for employees or engagement cessation for other persons.

Definitions

Associated Workforce: Any person appointed by Man of Many to participate in publishing activities unpaid and not employed by Man of Many, including contractors, visitors and affiliates.

Ethical Issue: A problem or situation requiring choice between alternatives evaluated as right (ethical) or wrong (unethical).

Staff: Paid, academic, professional and trades and services staff employed by Man of Many under an Enterprise Agreement or contract.

Ethics Policy Review Date: March 2026

Related editorial standards

Man of Many maintains a full set of public editorial policies. All policies: