Editorial Policy of Women Who Won the War

Women Who Won the War is an independent, nonprofit media organization dedicated to producing in-depth investigative journalism and high-quality journalistic reporting, as well as training programs aimed at empowering women journalists in the Middle East and North Africa. The organization focuses on highlighting women’s issues and exposing discrimination based on gender, as well as the impact of conflict, corruption, and public policies on women’s lives.

This policy provides the framework governing all materials published in the organization’s name and applies to permanent staff, contractors, trainees, volunteers, and partners. The policy is reviewed annually or whenever professional circumstances require, with amendments documented and published publicly.

The organization follows a clear editorial structure that ensures accountability and independence. The Editor-in-Chief oversees editorial content, while highly sensitive or high-risk content is referred to the Editor-in-Chief for a final decision. Major editorial decisions are documented, when necessary, particularly in matters involving significant public interest or legal risks.

I. General Ethical Principles

Women Who Won the War adheres to the following principles throughout all stages of its journalistic work, as set out in its Code of Conduct and Conflict of Interest Policy:

Truthfulness and accuracy: We are committed to rigorous verification of information, reliance on credible and diverse sources, and avoiding any misleading presentation or omission that distorts context.

Independence: We operate independently of political, ideological, or financial influence and disclose any potential conflicts of interest. The organization maintains a clear separation between editorial decision-making and funding, as outlined in this policy.

Safety and privacy: The physical and psychological safety of journalists, sources, and participants is a priority. The organization respects privacy and protects personal data in accordance with its Anti-Harassment and Inclusion Policy.

Do no harm: We adopt conflict- and trauma-sensitive journalism practices and seek to avoid causing further psychological or social harm to survivors and other vulnerable individuals.

Informed consent: No testimony, photograph, or sensitive material is used without the clear, free, and informed consent of the person concerned.

Equality and fair representation: We strive for balanced and inclusive representation of women from diverse social, geographic, and ethnic backgrounds, with particular attention to marginalized groups.

Safety and privacy: The organization prioritizes the physical and psychological safety of journalists, sources, and participants, while respecting privacy and protecting data, information, communications, and sensitive materials, in accordance with the organization’s Safety and Security, Data Protection, Anti-Harassment, and Inclusion policies.

II. Content Production and Publication Standards

These standards apply to all journalistic materials produced or published by the organization:

1. Multiple-source verification: Every investigation or report is subject to a verification process that includes:

• Fact and data checking
• Review of sources and their reliability
• Editorial and methodological review

As a minimum standard, every investigation should rely on at least two independent sources whenever possible, or on reliable documentary evidence. Where full verification is not possible, this limitation is explicitly stated in the published material.

2. Legal review: Materials containing allegations, corruption-related claims, or references to public institutions or individuals are referred for legal review where appropriate.

3. Methodological transparency: The organization explains its methodology, limitations in accessing information, and any constraints or risks encountered by the reporting team.

4. Language and editing: Content must use accurate, responsible, and inclusive language and avoid sensationalism, exaggeration, or the reproduction of stereotypes.

5. Right of reply: Relevant parties are contacted and given a reasonable period of time to respond, normally no less than 48 hours in routine cases, unless the nature of the publication requires otherwise. If no response is received, this is clearly documented in the published material.

6. Clear labeling of content: The organization clearly distinguishes between news reports, investigations, analytical content, and opinion, where applicable, in order to prevent audiences from being misled about the nature of the content.

III. Roles and Responsibilities of the Editorial Team

Journalist / Writer: The journalist is responsible for developing the story idea, gathering information, verifying sources, and adhering to ethical principles, including informed consent and source protection.

Editor: The editor plays a central role in ensuring the quality and integrity of published content. Responsibilities include:

• Overseeing the development of the journalistic idea and refining its editorial angle
• Ensuring compliance with the editorial policy and ethical standards
• Reviewing the editorial structure, language, and narrative
• Assessing professional and security risks, in coordination with management when necessary
• Verifying that informed consent and source protection procedures have been completed
• Requesting legal review when necessary
• Making the final decision to publish, delay, or amend content based on performance and impact assessment
• Ensuring that content does not expose journalists, sources, or the organization to unjustified risks

Editorial Management (when necessary):The Editor-in-Chief intervenes in highly sensitive or high-risk materials, including those involving legal or security concerns, and makes the final decision in complex editorial matters or cases of editorial disagreement.

Legal Review (where appropriate):Legal counsel is sought for cases involving allegations or legal risks, in order to ensure compliance with applicable laws and protect the organization and its team.

IV. Post-Publication

The organization maintains ongoing editorial responsibility after publication through:

Corrections and clarifications: The organization receives comments and responses and corrects verified errors transparently and clearly. Corrections are prominently displayed within the published material, with the date and nature of the amendment indicated. The organization also maintains an internal corrections log to support accountability and continuous improvement.

Source protection: The organization monitors any consequences arising from publication and takes preventive measures when necessary.

Impact assessment: The organization assesses the professional, human, and social impact of investigations internally in accordance with its Performance and Impact Assessment Policy.

Amendment or removal: Published content is not removed except in exceptional and justified circumstances, such as serious security risks, substantive errors, or legal obligations. Where content is removed, the organization explains the reason to the public whenever possible without putting any party at risk.

The organization receives public feedback and complaints concerning published content and handles them in accordance with its Corrections and Clarifications Policy.

V. Images, Documents, and Visual Materials

Authenticity of content: Original or reliably sourced materials must be used and clearly credited.

• No manipulation: Any alteration that changes the meaning or context is prohibited. Only technical enhancements that do not affect the substance are permitted.
• Blurring and protection: Faces, names, or locations are blurred or otherwise protected where security or ethical risks exist.
• Context and documentation: The context of images and documents must be accurately explained, and materials must not be used in ways that distort their original meaning.
• Copyright: Intellectual property rights must be respected and applicable laws followed.
• Sensitive materials: Materials that violate human dignity or contain disturbing imagery should be avoided unless there is a clear public-interest justification and the material can be handled responsibly from an editorial perspective.

VI. Use of Artificial Intelligence and Digitally Generated Materials

Women Who Won the War is committed to using artificial intelligence tools responsibly and ethically, in ways that do not undermine journalistic credibility or public trust.

These principles include:

• AI tools must not be used to generate fabricated information, quotations, testimonies, or documents and present them as authentic.
• AI-generated images, videos, or audio recordings must not be used in ways that mislead audiences or distort facts.
• Where AI tools are used for editorial or technical purposes, such as translation, transcription, quality enhancement, or research assistance, the editorial team remains fully responsible for verifying the accuracy of the final content.
• Any use of AI-generated or AI-modified materials in published content must be transparent, with disclosure to the audience where such use affects the audience’s understanding of the material or its credibility.
• AI must not be used to alter images or visual materials in ways that change their journalistic meaning or create a misleading impression about events or individuals.
• Only limited technical enhancements that do not affect context or substance are permitted, such as improving lighting or clarity or reducing technical noise.
• Any AI-generated or AI-modified visual material must undergo additional editorial review before publication, particularly in sensitive matters or those related to conflict and human rights.
• The organization is committed to periodically reviewing its use of AI to ensure alignment with evolving professional and ethical standards in journalism.

VII. Financial Independence and Separation of Editorial and Funding Decisions

• Women Who Won the War maintains a complete separation between editorial decision-making and funding sources or partnerships.
• No funder, partner, or supporter may influence editorial content, determine its angles, or intervene in publication decisions.
• All editorial decisions are made independently by the editorial team in accordance with the professional and ethical standards established in this policy.
• Funding must not be tied to specific editorial outcomes or positions. Donors and partners may not select investigation topics or influence their findings or conclusions.
• Where specific content receives financial support, such as through funded projects or co-production arrangements, this support is clearly and transparently disclosed to the public, while ensuring that it does not affect the integrity of the content.
• Women Who Won the War clearly distinguishes editorial content from any sponsored or funded content, both visually and editorially, in order to prevent audiences from confusing independent journalism with sponsored material.
• Where funded content is published, it is clearly and explicitly identified as such to the audience, while maintaining the professional and ethical standards adopted by the organization.
• The organization publicly discloses its major funding sources and partnerships in order to strengthen transparency and public trust.