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1 Editorial Mission
Our mission is to provide timely, verified and balanced reporting that strengthens democratic participation, promotes accountability and gives voice to citizens whose perspectives are often overlooked.
Through Radio Sloboda 2.0, we are transforming our newsroom into an audience-first digital media organisation where trust, community engagement and innovation work together to ensure the long-term sustainability of independent local journalism.
Every piece of content is guided by five core values — Accuracy, Independence, Fairness, Transparency and Public Interest — which take precedence over speed, commercial considerations or political interests.
2 Editorial Independence
Radio Sloboda maintains full editorial independence from political parties, government institutions, advertisers, donors, commercial partners and individual interests.
- Editorial decisions are made solely by the Editor-in-Chief and authorised editorial staff.
- Funding sources shall never influence editorial content.
- Sponsored or partner-produced content must always be clearly identified.
- No donor, advertiser or external stakeholder may influence the selection, framing or publication of editorial content.
Editorial independence is fundamental to maintaining audience trust.
3 Accuracy and Fact-Checking
Accuracy is the foundation of Radio Sloboda’s journalism. Before publication, journalists must verify information using reliable and, whenever possible, multiple independent sources.
- Facts should be confirmed through at least two credible sources.
- Official documents should be consulted.
- Direct quotations must remain accurate and in context.
- Statistics must include their original source.
When information cannot be independently verified, this limitation must be clearly communicated to the audience. Speed shall never compromise accuracy.
4 Corrections and Clarifications
Radio Sloboda acknowledges that errors may occur. When mistakes are identified:
- corrections shall be published promptly;
- significant factual errors shall be corrected transparently;
- previous versions shall not be silently altered when doing so could mislead readers.
Corrections strengthen audience trust and demonstrate editorial accountability.
5 Right of Reply
Individuals or organisations directly affected by published content have the right to request a response. Requests shall be reviewed promptly. Where appropriate:
- responses shall be published within a reasonable timeframe;
- replies shall be proportionate to the original publication;
- editorial independence shall always be preserved.
The right of reply does not imply editorial endorsement.
6 Protection of Sources
Radio Sloboda recognises the essential role of confidential sources in public-interest journalism. Journalists must:
- protect confidential identities;
- minimise digital risks;
- securely store sensitive information;
- disclose source identities only where legally required and after exhausting all available legal protections.
Source protection is a core element of editorial integrity.
7 Investigative Journalism Standards
Investigative reporting shall be conducted responsibly, ethically and lawfully. Journalists should:
- verify allegations thoroughly;
- seek comment from all relevant parties;
- distinguish clearly between facts and opinion;
- avoid sensationalism;
- ensure reporting serves the public interest.
Investigative methods must always comply with applicable laws and professional ethical standards.
8 AI-Assisted Journalism Guidelines
Radio Sloboda recognises the value of Artificial Intelligence as a productivity tool while maintaining that editorial responsibility always rests with human journalists.
AI may assist with: transcription, translation, summarisation, metadata generation, headline suggestions, SEO optimisation, accessibility improvements and workflow automation.
AI shall never:
- independently publish content;
- make editorial decisions;
- fabricate facts or quotations;
- manipulate images or audio in ways that mislead audiences.
All AI-assisted content must be reviewed and approved by a human editor prior to publication. Transparency regarding significant AI use should be maintained whenever appropriate.
9 Conflicts of Interest
Journalists and editors must avoid actual or perceived conflicts of interest. Staff members shall disclose:
- financial interests;
- political affiliations where relevant;
- personal relationships affecting reporting;
- gifts or benefits that may compromise independence.
Editorial decisions must always prioritise public interest.
10 Transparency and Accountability
Radio Sloboda is committed to transparency regarding ownership, governance, funding sources, partnerships, corrections and editorial policies. Audience trust depends on openness and accountability.
11 Copyright and Intellectual Property
Radio Sloboda respects copyright law and intellectual property rights. All published material must be original, properly attributed, licensed where required, and respect fair-use principles where applicable. Unauthorised use of copyrighted material is prohibited.
12 Accessibility and Inclusion
Radio Sloboda strives to make journalism accessible to the widest possible audience. Content should use clear language, avoid unnecessary jargon, consider accessibility for persons with disabilities, and reflect diverse voices and perspectives. Accessibility is an editorial responsibility rather than a technical feature.
13 Editorial Oversight and Review
This Editorial Policy shall be reviewed annually by the Editorial Board. The review will consider legal developments, technological changes, audience expectations, ethical standards, AI developments and lessons learned from editorial practice.
Any amendments shall be approved by the Editorial Board and communicated to all staff members.
Željko Božović · Director