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ProJour Guidelines: Facilitating quality information

HealthTech Wire’s ProJour guidelines give recommendations for quality HealthTech journalism and public relations.

ProJour 1: Seperating editorial and advertising
Editorial and advertising materials should always be separated and adverts clearly distinguished as such so the reader is aware of the difference between an informative news report and a product being sold.

ProJour 2:  Ensuring objectivity
Care should always be taken with sensationalising reports on medical and health issues that have not yet been proven conclusive so not to raise unfounded hopes or fears in the reader.

ProJour 3:  Identifying benefits and risks
The magnitude of a benefit or risk should be quantified whenever possible.

ProJour 4:  Knowing the truth
News from a diverse, unbiased spectrum should be presented to accurately inform the reader. It is unwise to publish one-source stories that present narrow perspectives as they lack depth and certain groups may have vested interests. Your main responsibility should lie with the public and their right to know the truth.

ProJour 5:  Source accuracy
The accuracy of sources should be thoroughly and carefully researched and identified wherever possible. Reports should clearly state if they include any assumptions or unsubstantiated findings.

ProJour 6:  Corrections
Admit and apologise for incorrectly published reports and hold other journalists, colleagues and freelancers to the same high standards.

ProJour 7:  Ethical approach
Methods of acquiring information and pictures should always be conducted lawfully, legitimately and ethically, without exploitation.

ProJour 8: Confidentiality
Confidentiality agreements made with individuals, companies and agencies should not be breeched. When writing reports involving work covered by intellectual property law, the company name and source of information should be given.