Last Updated: September 4, 2026

VOS VOICE OF SYRIA® is an independent news and media platform operating under the institutional and administrative framework of the Center for Environmental and Social Development (CESD), a nonprofit organization based in New York, United States.

The Center for Environmental and Social Development (CESD) is recognized as a U.S. nonprofit organization and operates under U.S. Employer Identification Number (EIN): 47-4833759.

CESD provides the institutional and administrative framework for VOS VOICE OF SYRIA®, while VOS maintains editorial independence in its journalistic activities.

VOS VOICE OF SYRIA® publishes original reporting, news, interviews, analysis, opinion, video, and multimedia content concerning Syria, the Middle East, international affairs, human rights, civil society, environmental and social issues, and other matters of public interest.

This Journalistic Code of Ethics establishes the professional and editorial principles applicable to VOS journalists, editors, correspondents, contributors, producers, and other persons participating in the production of its journalistic content.

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Editorial independence is a fundamental principle of VOS VOICE OF SYRIA®.

Although VOS operates within the institutional and administrative framework of CESD, editorial decisions are made according to professional journalistic standards.

Editorial content shall not be dictated by governments, political parties, religious organizations, armed groups, advertisers, donors, businesses, sponsors, or other outside interests.

Financial support, partnerships, grants, sponsorships, or institutional relationships do not grant outside parties authority over VOS editorial conclusions.

Where a significant conflict of interest exists and is relevant to understanding published material, VOS should consider appropriate disclosure.

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VOS considers accuracy a fundamental obligation of journalism.

Journalists and editors should make reasonable efforts to verify information before publication and distinguish verified facts from allegations, estimates, opinions, predictions, or information that cannot yet be independently confirmed.

Whenever reasonably possible, particularly when reporting sensitive or disputed matters, VOS seeks confirmation through credible and independent sources.

Headlines, photographs, captions, graphics, videos, and other presentation elements should accurately represent the substance of the reporting and should not intentionally mislead audiences.

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VOS is an active news and media platform that regularly publishes and updates news, reports, analysis, interviews, opinion, video, and multimedia content.

Publication dates should be displayed on news articles and reports where technically applicable so that audiences can determine when information was published.

Where significant new information becomes available, previously published material may be updated, corrected, supplemented, or followed by additional reporting.

VOS seeks to distinguish current reporting from archival, historical, or background material.

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Transparency regarding the origin of information is an important part of VOS journalism.

Articles and reports should identify the author, VOS editorial team, publisher, news organization, official institution, or relevant source where appropriate.

Information obtained from government agencies, international organizations, media organizations, research institutions, civil society organizations, witnesses, experts, or other third parties should be appropriately attributed when circumstances permit.

VOS does not intentionally present another journalist’s, author’s, photographer’s, organization’s, or publication’s work as its own.

When confidential sources are necessary for legitimate journalistic reasons, VOS may protect their identities while taking reasonable steps to assess the credibility and reliability of the information provided.

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VOS seeks to maintain a meaningful distinction between factual reporting, analysis, commentary, and opinion.

News reporting should prioritize verified facts, evidence, attribution, and relevant context.

Analysis may interpret events and developments based on available evidence, research, and the expertise of the author.

Opinion and commentary may express particular viewpoints but should not intentionally misrepresent established facts.

Where appropriate, VOS should identify or present content in a manner that allows audiences to understand whether they are reading news, analysis, or opinion.

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VOS recognizes its responsibility to correct significant factual errors.

When a material factual error is identified and verified, VOS should correct the information within a reasonable period.

Where appropriate, published content may indicate that it has been corrected or substantially updated.

Requests for corrections may be submitted to:

Email: info@vostv.net

A correction request should identify the relevant article, report, video, or other content and explain the alleged factual error.

Editorial disagreement or disagreement with an author’s analysis or opinion does not, by itself, constitute a factual error.

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VOS seeks fairness in its reporting.

Individuals and organizations who are the subject of significant allegations should, when reasonably possible and appropriate, be given an opportunity to respond.

VOS seeks to represent relevant perspectives fairly, particularly when reporting disputed political, social, legal, humanitarian, or international issues.

Fairness does not require treating every assertion as equally credible. Editorial judgment should consider the quality of available evidence, credibility of sources, relevance, and the public interest.

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VOS respects human dignity and seeks to minimize unnecessary harm resulting from publication.

Particular care should be exercised when reporting about victims of violence, children, refugees, displaced persons, survivors of abuse, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable individuals or communities.

Graphic or disturbing material should be used only where it has legitimate journalistic value and should not be published merely for sensational effect.

The identities of victims, minors, witnesses, sources, or vulnerable persons may be withheld when disclosure could expose them to unnecessary harm, retaliation, or danger.

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VOS does not promote hatred, violence, or discrimination based on race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, gender, disability, or other protected characteristics.

Reporting concerning ethnic, religious, political, national, or social communities should avoid unsupported generalizations and collective accusations.

Hateful, discriminatory, extremist, or inflammatory statements may be reported when genuinely newsworthy, but their publication should serve a legitimate journalistic purpose and should not unnecessarily amplify incitement or hatred.

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Photographs, video, audio, graphics, and other multimedia materials should not be manipulated or presented in a manner intended to materially misrepresent events.

Material alterations that could cause audiences to misunderstand what actually occurred should not be presented as authentic documentary evidence.

Illustrations, simulations, reconstructions, digitally altered material, or AI-generated media should be identified where necessary to prevent reasonable audiences from mistaking them for authentic documentary material.

VOS seeks to respect applicable intellectual property and copyright rights when using third-party text, photographs, video, audio, or other protected material.

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VOS may use artificial intelligence and other digital technologies to assist journalists and editors with research, translation, transcription, editing, graphics, production, data analysis, or other journalistic processes.

The use of artificial intelligence does not replace human editorial responsibility.

Material facts produced or substantially assisted by automated systems should be subject to appropriate editorial review and verification before publication.

AI-generated or substantially altered photographs, video, or audio should not be presented as authentic documentary evidence where doing so could materially mislead audiences.

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VOS respects the privacy of its audiences, journalists, contributors, and sources.

VOS takes reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect information under its control against unauthorized access, misuse, disclosure, or unlawful processing.

VOS does not sell users’ personal information.

Information associated with the VOS website or mobile application may be processed by hosting providers, security services, content-delivery systems, or other technical service providers where reasonably necessary to operate and protect the service.

The privacy practices applicable to the VOS website and mobile application are explained separately in the:

VOS Voice of Syria Privacy Policy
https://www.vostv.net/privacy-policy-vos-voice-of-syria/

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VOS recognizes the importance of protecting confidential journalistic sources.

The identity of a confidential source should not be disclosed without authorization except where disclosure is legally required or exceptional circumstances justify reconsideration consistent with applicable law and professional journalistic standards.

Journalists and editors should exercise appropriate care when storing, communicating, or transmitting sensitive information that could expose confidential sources to risk.

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VOS takes reasonable measures to maintain the security and integrity of its digital services and journalistic operations.

No Internet-based service can guarantee absolute security. VOS therefore does not represent that unauthorized access, cyberattacks, data breaches, or other security incidents can always be prevented.

When credible security issues affecting VOS services are identified, VOS seeks to respond appropriately and take reasonable corrective measures.

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VOS does not condition its journalism on allegiance to a political party, government, religious organization, armed group, business, or ideological movement.

VOS journalists, editors, and contributors should avoid allowing personal political, religious, financial, commercial, or organizational interests to improperly influence factual reporting.

VOS may publish interviews, statements, analysis, or opinions representing a wide range of political, social, religious, or ideological perspectives.

Publication of such views does not necessarily constitute institutional endorsement by VOS or CESD.

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Journalists, editors, and contributors should disclose to the appropriate editorial authority any significant personal, financial, political, professional, or organizational interest that could reasonably call their independence into question regarding a particular assignment.

Where appropriate, VOS may reassign coverage or disclose a relevant conflict to audiences.

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Advertising, sponsored material, partnership content, or paid promotional material should not intentionally be presented as independent editorial reporting.

Where such material is published, it should be appropriately identified when necessary to prevent confusion between commercial or sponsored content and independent journalism.

Sponsors, donors, partners, and advertisers do not acquire editorial authority over VOS merely by providing financial or institutional support.

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VOS may provide mechanisms allowing members of the public, journalists, writers, researchers, or contributors to submit articles, information, photographs, videos, or other material.

Submission does not guarantee publication.

VOS reserves the right to review, verify, edit, reject, or remove submitted content in accordance with its editorial standards, legal obligations, and public-interest considerations.

Contributors remain responsible for the accuracy and lawful use of material they submit.

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Readers, viewers, sources, and other members of the public may contact VOS regarding factual accuracy, journalistic conduct, privacy, attribution, or other editorial concerns.

Complaints should provide sufficient information to identify the relevant publication and explain the nature of the concern.

VOS will consider legitimate complaints in accordance with this Code, its editorial policies, and applicable law.

Editorial and complaints contact:
info@vostv.net

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VOS VOICE OF SYRIA®
Independent News and Media Platform

Operated under the institutional and administrative framework of:
Center for Environmental and Social Development (CESD)
New York, United States

U.S. Employer Identification Number (EIN): 47-4833759

Editorial Contact:
info@vostv.net

Phone:
+1 (917) 929-0985

VOS Website:
https://www.vostv.net/

Privacy Policy:
https://www.vostv.net/privacy-policy-vos-voice-of-syria/

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VOS VOICE OF SYRIA® recognizes that public trust must be earned through responsible, transparent, and independent journalistic practice.

VOS is committed to accuracy, verification, editorial independence, proper attribution, timely reporting, correction of significant errors, protection of journalistic sources, respect for privacy and human dignity, and clear accountability to its audiences.

The Center for Environmental and Social Development (CESD) provides the institutional and administrative framework under which VOS operates, while the editorial activities of VOS are governed by the professional principles established in this Code.

This Journalistic Code of Ethics may be reviewed and updated periodically to reflect developments in journalism, technology, professional standards, and applicable law.