Code of ethics

In force since 1 September 2021.

PART 1: GENERAL PRINCIPLES

Afrique XXI is an association under the law of 1901, recognised as an online press service under no. W751261246. Its primary vocation is, through the work of its journalists and other contributors, to provide its readers with quality information that is balanced, verified and trustworthy. The link to Afrique XXI is : https://afriquexxi.info

Purpose of the charter
The purpose of this charter, inspired by that adopted by Orient XXI, is to set out the commitments, duties and principles governing the operation of Afrique XXI. Afrique XXI considers these conditions to be essential to its smooth operation and wishes to bring them to the attention of its readers to ensure their trust.

Membership of Spiil
Afrique XXI aims to become a member of the Syndicat de la presse indépendante d’information en ligne (Spiil). To this end, Afrique XXI complies with a series of rules based on the Guide to Good Practice for Online Press Publishers, which is freely accessible on the union’s website. These rules complement the 1971 Munich Charter on the Rights and Duties of Journalists.

Independence of the association
Afrique XXI defines itself as an independent press company. It therefore defends its own interests and is not at the service of third-party commercial interests or influences.

PART 2: EDITORIAL

Renewal
Afrique XXI is not strictly speaking a news magazine. However, if necessary, its editorial content may be renewed on a regular basis and not just updated from time to time. Any renewal would then be dated.

Expenses and gifts
Except in special circumstances, Afrique XXI will cover all expenses related to the professional activity of its contributors: travel, accommodation, catering, etc. It will ensure that contributors do not incur any expenses related to their work. It ensures that contributors do not accept gifts or various advantages, directly or indirectly, in the context of their activity or, more generally, in circumstances likely to have a clear impact on their work. These particular circumstances are defined by the person in charge of the editorial team, and each member of the association must refer to this person in this matter.

Afrique XXI’s editorial obligations do not preclude the acceptance of free tickets or the payment of travel and accommodation for journalists and other contributors covering events, conferences or artistic performances. However, if this is the case, a note will be displayed within the article to make it clear that the editorial team has not assumed sole responsibility for the costs associated with the publication of the article in question.

separation of commercial and editorial activities

Afrique XXI is an online newspaper that does not rely on advertising. If it were to do so one day, its commercial and editorial activities would be separate. Thus, the people responsible for marketing advertising space would not, at the same time, have editorial responsibilities or a direct hierarchical link with members of the editorial staff, in any form whatsoever.

Social responsibility
Afrique XXI undertakes to employ or intend to employ on a permanent basis at least one professional journalist.

PART 3: ECONOMIC TRANSPARENCY

Grants and subsidies
Afrique XXI informs its readers of the amount of public or private subsidies it receives and the projects for which they are intended.

Publication of annual accounts
Each year, Afrique XXI publishes its simplified accounts and informs its readers of them, detailing the broad outlines of its economic model.

PART 4: ADVERTISING

Control of advertising content
Afrique XXI does not rely on advertising. If this were not the case in the future, the newspaper would refuse any advertising that was contrary to its ethics or editorial line.

Transparency of the promotional nature of certain content
In these circumstances, any article that is financed or that meets a specification proposed by an advertiser will be clearly identified as such, in accordance with article 20 of the law of 21 June 2004 on confidence in the digital economy and article 10 of law no. 86-897 of 1 August 1986 reforming the legal status of the press.

This article would comply with the following rules:
➞ the article (or any other type of content) would be framed and legibly surtitled ‘advertising’ or ‘advertorial’. It would be produced in a form that is clearly different from that of the newspaper (layout, typography, colonage, no press service logo inside the advertorial);
➞ the article (or other type of content) would be written by staff from outside the editorial team and could not be signed by the editorial team or one of its members;
➞ in the context of their activities, the latter would clearly present themselves as staff from outside the editorial team of the media company;
➞ the site would include a page detailing the practical and ethical conditions for implementing this content.

PART 5: PERSONAL DATA

Cookies and tracers
Afrique XXI follows the recommendations of the Commission Nationale de l’Informatique et des Libertés (CNIL) (French Data Protection Authority) with regard to data collection, tracers and cookies. In accordance with Act no. 78-17 of 6 January 1978 as amended (known as the ‘Information Technology and Civil Liberties’ Act), Afrique XXI will declare the processing of its readers’ personal data to the CNIL. The CNIL declaration number is in the process of being obtained.

Newsletter management - Unsubscribe facility
Afrique XXI informs its readers that they may unsubscribe at any time by clicking on the appropriate link in the newsletter.

Parity
Afrique XXI believes that gender equality is not an option, but a requirement for social justice, democracy and efficiency. The newspaper is committed to ensuring that it is respected in its operations.