1. Our Editorial Mission
L1 News Network exists to serve the public through accurate, independent, fair, timely and responsible journalism.
Our first responsibility is to our audience. We seek to inform citizens, strengthen public understanding, encourage accountability and provide a credible platform for important national, African and international stories.
We will report the news as we find it — not as governments, political parties, businesses, advertisers, individuals or other interests would prefer it to be reported.
2. Accuracy Comes First
Accuracy is the foundation of L1 journalism.
Before publishing, journalists should:
• Verify names, titles, dates, locations and figures.
• Distinguish confirmed facts from allegations, claims and speculation.
• Seek original documents or primary sources whenever possible.
• Attribute information clearly when it comes from another source.
• Avoid publishing information simply because it is circulating on social media.
• Give subjects a reasonable opportunity to respond to significant allegations.
• Correct material errors promptly and transparently.
Speed never excuses inaccuracy.
When information is developing, we will clearly tell audiences what is known, what is not known and what remains unverified.
3. Independence
L1 News Network maintains editorial independence from political parties, governments, businesses, advertisers, donors and other outside interests.
No advertiser, sponsor, government official, political party or private individual may determine the editorial outcome of a story.
Advertising and sponsored content must be clearly distinguishable from journalism.
Our journalists must disclose potential conflicts of interest to their editors.
Where a conflict could reasonably undermine public confidence in a journalist’s impartiality, the journalist may be removed from the assignment.
4. Fairness and Right of Reply
L1 seeks to treat people fairly, particularly when reporting allegations that could damage a person’s reputation.
When a story contains serious allegations:
• We will seek comment from the person or organization concerned.
• We will make a reasonable effort to provide adequate time for a response.
• If they decline to comment, we will say so.
• We will not imply that an allegation is proven when it has not been established.
• We will distinguish allegations from established facts.
A person’s political position, wealth, influence or public profile does not determine whether they receive fair treatment.
5. Allegations, Investigations and Criminal Cases
L1 will use careful language when reporting allegations.
Words such as “alleged,” “accused,” “according to prosecutors,” “police said,” or “the court heard” must be used appropriately and not as a substitute for verification.
A person accused of a crime is not guilty merely because they have been arrested, charged or accused.
Court reporting must accurately distinguish between:
• An allegation
• Evidence presented
• Testimony
• Arguments by lawyers
• A judicial finding
• A conviction or acquittal
We will not declare someone guilty before a competent court has established guilt.
6. Sources
L1 prefers named and attributable sources whenever possible.
We recognize that confidential sources can sometimes be essential to journalism, particularly in investigative reporting.
Anonymous sources should be used only when:
1. The information is important to the public interest.
2. The source has direct knowledge or a credible basis for the information.
3. The information cannot reasonably be obtained through an attributable source.
4. The journalist knows the identity and reliability of the source.
5. An editor has approved the use of the anonymous source.
Anonymous sourcing should never be used simply to make a story more dramatic.
7. Breaking News
Breaking news requires particular discipline.
When a major event is unfolding, L1 will prioritize:
What we know → What we don’t know → What we’re verifying → What happens next.
We will not publish rumors as facts simply because competitors or social-media accounts have published them.
If we publish preliminary information that later changes, we will update the story and clearly correct significant errors.
8. Social Media
L1 treats social media as both a reporting tool and a publishing platform.
Information discovered on Facebook, X, TikTok, WhatsApp, YouTube or other platforms must be independently assessed before being presented as fact.
Journalists should:
• Verify original sources.
• Check dates and locations.
• Look for manipulated or recycled photographs and videos.
• Avoid amplifying misinformation unnecessarily.
• Clearly label unverified material.
• Preserve relevant evidence when reporting on disputed online claims.
Viral does not mean verified.
9. Artificial Intelligence and Digital Tools
L1 may use artificial intelligence and other digital tools to assist journalism, including research, transcription, translation, data analysis, production and workflow.
However, AI does not replace editorial judgment.
AI-generated information must be independently verified before publication.
L1 will not knowingly publish fabricated quotations, invented sources, synthetic evidence or AI-generated material presented as authentic journalism.
When an AI-generated image, audio recording or video could reasonably be mistaken for authentic material, it should be clearly identified.
10. Photographs and Video
Visual journalism must accurately represent reality.
We will not digitally manipulate photographs or videos in ways that materially alter their meaning without clearly identifying the alteration.
Normal editorial adjustments such as cropping, exposure correction or color balancing may be used when they do not misrepresent the event.
We will not knowingly publish:
• Fabricated photographs as real images.
• Misleadingly cropped images.
• Old images presented as current.
• Images from another location presented as Liberia.
• Digitally altered evidence presented as authentic.
When practical, captions should identify who, what, where and when.
11. Privacy
The public’s right to know must be balanced against an individual’s legitimate expectation of privacy.
We will exercise particular care when reporting on:
• Children
• Victims of sexual violence
• Survivors of trauma
• Medical situations
• Private individuals
• Families affected by tragedy
We will not publish personal information simply because it can be obtained.
Private information should be published only when there is a clear and legitimate public-interest justification.
12. Children and Vulnerable People
Children deserve special protection.
L1 will avoid identifying children involved in sensitive cases unless there is a compelling public-interest reason and publication is ethically justified.
We will also take additional care when reporting about vulnerable people, including victims of violence, people experiencing homelessness, persons with disabilities and people affected by conflict or disaster.
We will seek to portray people with dignity rather than using suffering merely to generate attention.
13. Graphic and Disturbing Content
L1 will exercise restraint when publishing photographs or videos depicting death, serious injury, violence or extreme distress.
Graphic material should be published only when it provides meaningful journalistic value.
Where appropriate, audiences should receive a clear warning before viewing disturbing material.
We will never use graphic imagery merely for shock value or clicks.
14. Headlines
Headlines should accurately represent the story.
L1 will not deliberately use misleading, sensational or deceptive headlines simply to increase clicks.
We reject clickbait journalism.
A headline should not:
• State as fact something the story only alleges.
• Exaggerate evidence.
• Misrepresent a quotation.
• Hide important context.
• Create an impression contradicted by the article.
15. Corrections
We will correct significant errors promptly.
Corrections should be clear, visible and honest.
Where an important factual error has been published, the correction should explain what was wrong and provide the correct information when appropriate.
We will not quietly alter significant factual errors while pretending the original report never existed.
16. Opinion and Analysis
L1 distinguishes journalism from opinion.
Opinion articles, columns and analysis should be clearly identified.
Opinion writers may express strong views, but commentary should not knowingly present false information as fact.
Analysis should be grounded in evidence and provide sufficient context for audiences to understand the basis for the conclusions presented.
17. Investigative Journalism
L1 Investigates is committed to journalism that serves the public interest.
Investigative reporting may examine:
• Corruption
• Misuse of public resources
• Abuse of power
• Corporate misconduct
• Human-rights violations
• Government accountability
• Public procurement
• Financial wrongdoing
• Institutional failures
Investigations should be supported by documentary evidence, credible sources and rigorous verification.
Serious allegations should receive appropriate editorial review before publication.
18. Political Coverage
L1 does not endorse political parties or candidates through its news coverage.
During elections, we will seek to provide fair coverage of competing candidates and parties while maintaining editorial independence.
Political advertising must be clearly identified as advertising.
We will distinguish between news reporting, political analysis, commentary, campaign material and paid content.
Our journalists must not become advocates for political campaigns while acting in their capacity as L1 journalists.
19. Government and Public Officials
Public officials are subject to legitimate journalistic scrutiny.
Holding public office does not give an individual immunity from criticism or investigation.
At the same time, L1 will not assume wrongdoing simply because a person holds political office.
Our standard is: Evidence, accountability and fairness.
20. Business and Financial Journalism
Business reporting should be based on verifiable information.
Financial claims, investment opportunities, company announcements and economic statistics should be independently assessed whenever possible.
L1 journalists must disclose personal financial interests that could influence — or appear to influence — their reporting.
L1 does not provide disguised investment advice through news reporting.
21. Sponsored and Branded Content
Paid content must be clearly identified.
Terms such as Sponsored Content, Advertisement, Paid Partnership or Promotional Content should be used where applicable.
Sponsors do not receive editorial control over independent L1 journalism.
22. Gifts, Payments and Favors
Journalists should not accept gifts, money, favors, travel arrangements or other benefits that could compromise — or appear to compromise — their independence.
Reasonable hospitality associated with legitimate journalistic assignments may be accepted where refusal is impractical, but significant benefits must be disclosed to an editor.
Sources do not buy coverage.
23. Use of Press Releases
Press releases are sources, not automatically publishable news.
Government agencies, political parties, companies, NGOs and other organizations may provide useful information through press releases.
L1 journalists should independently assess important claims and provide appropriate context.
A press release should not be presented as independent reporting without additional journalistic work.
24. Attribution
When L1 uses information originally reported by another news organization, we will give appropriate attribution.
We will not present another organization’s reporting, photographs, videos or investigative work as our own.
Where appropriate, L1 may link to or identify the original source.
25. National Interest and Public Interest
L1 believes journalism can serve Liberia’s national interest without becoming an instrument of government propaganda.
National interest does not mean protecting those in power from scrutiny.
The public interest may require difficult reporting, including reporting that is uncomfortable for government officials, political parties, businesses or influential individuals.
Our loyalty is to the public interest and the truth, not to political power.
26. Editorial Accountability
Final responsibility for L1’s editorial standards rests with the Editor-in-Chief and editorial leadership.
Editors are responsible for:
• Maintaining accuracy.
• Reviewing sensitive stories.
• Managing conflicts of interest.
• Ensuring appropriate sourcing.
• Reviewing serious allegations.
• Approving investigative reports.
• Ensuring corrections are made.
• Protecting editorial independence.
Journalists are encouraged to raise ethical concerns without fear of retaliation.
27. Our Standard
Before publishing a significant story, L1 journalists should ask:
Is it true?
How do we know?
Can we verify it?
Who is affected?
Have we given the relevant people a fair opportunity to respond?
Is the public interest clear?
Are we presenting fact, allegation or opinion accurately?
Would we stand by this story if challenged publicly?
If the answer to those questions is not satisfactory, we should slow down and investigate further.
Our Commitment
L1 News Network recognizes that trust is earned one story at a time.
We will make mistakes. When we do, we will correct them.
We will face pressure. When we do, we will defend our editorial independence.
We will report on powerful people and institutions. When we do, we will apply the same standards of fairness and evidence to everyone.
Our promise is simple:
Liberia First. News That Matters.
L1 News Network
News. People. Progress.