Editorial Policy

First Nations News, Editorial Standards Policy

PUBLISH-READY DRAFT (v3), 3 July 2026. Public-facing version for board adoption. Supersedes the 1 July v2. Incorporates all nine LINA Editorial Standards and aligns with the APC Statement of General Principles, with ownership, images and advertising standards informed by a review of comparable mastheads. Confirm with FNN’s adviser before publishing. Once adopted, publish at a stable URL (for example firstnationsnews.com.au/editorial-policy).

1. Purpose and scope

This policy sets the standards for everything First Nations News publishes: news articles, features, images, headlines, captions, social posts and newsletters. It applies to everyone who contributes to FNN content. Its purpose is to ensure FNN publishes accurate, fair and independent journalism that respects First Nations peoples and cultures.

2. How we produce content

FNN uses modern publishing technology to support its journalism. Every article is reviewed editorially before publication, and the reviewer is responsible for what goes live.

3. Ownership and editorial independence

  • First Nations News is an independent, majority Indigenous owned and Indigenous controlled masthead. It is Supply Nation registered and is not part of any larger media group.
  • Editorial content is not influenced by financial contributions or other considerations from outside entities, and we publish without fear or favour regardless of commercial, political or personal interests.
  • Advertising and sponsored content are clearly labelled to distinguish them from FNN’s independent editorial content. We reserve the right to decline advertising that is racist, offensive, illegal or inappropriate. Political advertising must carry the required authorisation.

4. Accuracy and clarity

  • We take reasonable steps to ensure factual material is accurate, not misleading, and presented in context.
  • We distinguish factual reporting from opinion, and clearly label commentary and analysis.
  • Where published material is significantly inaccurate or misleading, we correct it or take other adequate remedial action.

5. Fairness and balance

  • We present factual material with reasonable fairness and balance.
  • We provide a reasonable opportunity to respond where allegations or criticisms are made, including a fair opportunity for reply where material refers adversely to a person.
  • We attribute information to its source wherever possible, and we do not plagiarise or misrepresent the work of others.
  • We inform the people we approach that we are journalists.

6. Privacy and avoidance of harm

  • We avoid intruding on a person’s reasonable expectations of privacy unless doing so is sufficiently in the public interest.
  • We avoid causing or contributing to substantial offence, distress or prejudice, or risk to health or safety, unless doing so is sufficiently in the public interest.
  • We take particular care with children, victims of crime and vulnerable people.
  • FNN maintains a privacy policy covering the protection and management of personal information gathered through our platforms.

7. Integrity and transparency

  • We do not publish material gathered by deceptive or unfair means unless doing so is sufficiently in the public interest.
  • Conflicts of interest are avoided or disclosed, and do not influence published material.

8. Diversity

We aim to be relevant to the communities we serve and to include a wide diversity of voices, views and issues, with First Nations voices at the centre of our reporting.

9. Respect for First Nations peoples and cultures

  • We publish the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural warning where content includes images, voices or names of people who have died.
  • We respect Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property: we do not reproduce cultural knowledge, artwork, stories or images without the right permissions, and we credit and seek consent appropriately.
  • We report on First Nations communities with care, accuracy and cultural sensitivity, and follow relevant naming and sorry-business protocols.

10. Attribution and licensed content

  • Bylines reflect the person responsible for the article.
  • Licensed wire content (AAP) is published in accordance with the licence and carries the credit “First Nations News with AAP”.
  • Where we rely on another organisation’s reporting, we say so.

11. Images

  • Images are attributed to their source.
  • We may adjust colour, crop or resize images for publication, but we do not manipulate images in a way that is misleading or that rearranges, reverses or distorts people, objects or events.
  • The cultural warning practice in section 9 applies to all imagery.

12. Comment moderation

We welcome contributions and comments on our stories and social channels. Comments should contribute to civil conversation and must not be abusive, inflammatory, racist or profane, or contain personal attacks. FNN moderates comments at its discretion and reserves the right to remove those that breach these ground rules.

13. Accountability, corrections and complaints

  • We correct errors promptly and transparently. A correction notes what was wrong and when it was corrected. Significant corrections are flagged on the article.
  • Readers who believe these standards have been breached can complain in writing to yarn@firstnationsnews.com.au. We acknowledge complaints, investigate, and respond within a reasonable time.
  • [On admission to the Australian Press Council, insert the APC notice of membership: “First Nations News is bound by the Standards of Practice of the Australian Press Council. If you believe the Standards may have been breached, you may approach First Nations News or make a complaint to the Australian Press Council in writing at www.presscouncil.org.au. The Council may also be contacted on 1800 025 712.”]

14. Governance

  • The editor is responsible for day-to-day editorial decisions and sign-off under this policy.
  • The directors maintain oversight of editorial standards. Serious complaints and significant corrections are escalated to them.

15. Review

This policy is reviewed at least annually and whenever our production methods, our memberships or the law change materially. The board approves changes.