The editorial team has established guidelines for equal treatment within the team, gender-sensitive content creation, and responsible coverage of violence-related issues.
Eastern Variant has updated its gender policy — a document that sets out shared guidelines for the team’s internal work and the production of editorial content. The policy applies to the media outlet’s employees, authors, freelancers, volunteers, interns, as well as experts and partners involved in its projects.
The policy covers all formats of Eastern Variant’s work: news, analytical pieces, interviews, reports, photography, video, multimedia content, social media, public events, and internal communications.
The team decided to update the policy after a meeting of the Window of Recovery media network, organized in partnership with the NGO Women in Media and with the support of International Media Support (IMS). Participants discussed how a gender policy can support newsrooms in their day-to-day work rather than remain merely a formal document.
Equal opportunities and safe interaction within the team
One of the policy’s areas of focus is internal processes. Eastern Variant declares equal opportunities for all members of the team in hiring, the allocation of responsibilities, professional development, and participation in training and projects. Employment and career development decisions should be based on professional competencies, performance, and established requirements. The policy also enshrines the principle of equal pay for work of equal value.
Discrimination, sexism, sexual harassment, mobbing, degrading jokes, and comments about a person’s appearance, marital status, private life, or family responsibilities are prohibited in workplace interactions. The document also establishes a mechanism for reporting potential violations. Anyone who submits a report is entitled to have their case considered confidentially and in good faith, without facing retaliation for making the report.
How the policy will shape Eastern Variant’s editorial content
The gender-sensitive approach will apply not only when editing a finished text, but throughout the entire content creation process — from selecting a topic to publication and distribution on social media.
The editorial team will consider:
- who is featured in a story;
- whether different voices and experiences are represented;
- which experts are invited to comment;
- whether the text, headline, or visual materials reinforce gender stereotypes;
- whether a person’s gender, appearance, age, or family status is genuinely relevant to the story;
- how an issue or proposed solution may affect different groups of women and men.
Eastern Variant aims to expand the representation of women’s expertise, particularly in fields where the media traditionally turn to men more often for comments. The editorial team will use accurate and non-discriminatory language in its materials. Photos, videos, and illustrations should not sexualize or demean people or portray them solely in stereotypical roles.
Particular attention to reporting on violence and war
The policy sets out specific guidelines for reporting on domestic, gender-based, and sexual violence, including conflict-related sexual violence.
When covering these topics, the editorial team will follow the “do no harm” principle and take into account the provisions of the Murad Code of Conduct.
Eastern Variant will avoid language that shifts responsibility onto survivors, as well as sensational headlines or images that could cause further trauma. Personal data and details that could identify a survivor will not be disclosed without their informed consent and a clear public-interest justification. Where possible, stories will include verified information about available support services.
The policy as an ongoing practice
Eastern Variant plans to regularly assess not only its content but also its internal processes. During monitoring, the team will assess the balance of expert voices, the representation of women and men in its materials, the presence of stereotypical portrayals, working conditions, and access to professional development opportunities.
The findings of this analysis will inform further team training and improvements to editorial practices. The policy itself will be reviewed at least once a year, or earlier if required by changes in legislation, the newsroom’s work, or the security context.
The gender policy was updated in partnership with the NGO Women in Media with the support of International Media Support (IMS). The full Gender Policy of the NGO Eastern Variant is available here.
Original source: Eastern Variant website