This Code of Conduct and Ethics (the Code) is applicable to Media Defence’s partners, including staff and officers of grantees, contractors and consultants and; training and event participants (herein referred to as the Partner). This Code applies equally to all grant recipients, whether recipients of financial or in-kind support.
Our partners are integral to the work that we do. We partner with individuals and organisations all over the world in order to further our human rights work. We are committed to creating working relationships that are safe, respectful and fair. And we require our partners to adopt the highest possible standards of ethical and moral conduct in their work, in line with international human rights standards and Media Defence’s values and standards.
This code of conduct exists to ensure our partners feel respected and fairly treated, and to ensure that our partners practice the highest possible ethical and moral conduct in their work.
Non-compliance
It is a condition of partnership with Media Defence that Partners understand and abide by this Code of Conduct. Non-compliance with this code of conduct may result in immediate termination of a grant, partnership or contract with Media Defence. Partners are liable for the actions of their employees and volunteers in relation to this Code.
Please reach out to us at info@mediadefence.org for any questions or feedback you may have about this Code or to report any breaches.
| Approved by/date: | CEO / [19 October 2026] |
1.0 Policy statement/Purpose
Our Partners are integral to the work that we do. We partner with individuals and organisations all over the world in order to further our human rights work.
We are committed to creating working relationships that are safe, respectful and fair. In turn we require our Partners to adopt the highest possible standards of ethical and moral conduct in their work, in line with international human rights standards and Media Defence’s values and standards.
This Code exists to ensure our Partners feel respected and fairly treated, and to ensure that our Partners practise the highest possible ethical and moral conduct in their work.
2.0 Scope
This Code applies equally to all Media Defence’s Partners, regardless of the type of support they receive from Media Defence (financial or in-kind). Sections 3.7 and 3.8 apply to individual training and event participants only to the extent relevant to their participation.
3.0 Code of Conduct
It is a condition of partnership with Media Defence that Partners understand and abide by this Code. Partners are liable for the actions of their employees and volunteers in relation to this Code. Non-compliance with this Code may result in immediate termination of a grant, partnership or contract with Media Defence.
Partners are required to act at all times with the highest standards of integrity and in a professional and ethical manner, ensuring they are acting in the interest of the journalist, blogger or media outlet they are supporting.
3.1 Respect the environment
Recognising that a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment is integral to the full enjoyment of a wide range of human rights, Partners are required to respect the natural environment and to take into consideration climate protection as far as possible within their ability. They shall comply with all applicable environmental laws, regulations and standards.
3.2 Treat all people with respect and dignity
Partners are expected to be committed to eliminating discrimination and promoting equality of opportunity in their working and employment practices.
Partners shall not discriminate against any employee/beneficiary/client based on race, ethnicity, nationality, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, disability, religion or cultural belief, political affiliation, union membership, national origin, marital status and civil partnership, or pregnancy and maternity.
Partners shall not engage in harassment, including sexual harassment, of any kind. Partners shall not tolerate harassment within their organisation and shall undertake all appropriate action to address allegations or incidents of harassment.
Partners shall take all reasonable steps to prevent sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment of anyone (SEAH) they come into contact with through their work with Media Defence, including journalists, clients and participants in Media Defence-funded activities. Partners shall have proportionate procedures for reporting and responding to concerns, and shall report to Media Defence within 48 hours any allegation connected with Media Defence-funded work.
3.3 Avoid conflicts of interest
Partners shall not undertake any action contrary to human rights principles or which serves to undermine the work of Media Defence.
Partners must declare to Media Defence, as soon as they become aware of it, any actual or potential conflict of interest that could compromise the impartial delivery of their activities or services to Media Defence, including any relationship with a party to a case Media Defence supports.
3.4 Comply with all relevant laws and regulations
Partners shall fully comply with all laws applicable to their business in the country in which they operate, including international laws and regulations related to anti-money laundering, counter-terrorist financing, sanctions, trafficking and anti-bribery, and observe internal policies that support ethical behaviour.
In countries where there is no relevant law in place, Partners will apply the standards inherent in this Code. Partners shall fulfil all agreed contractual obligations with Media Defence.
3.5 Ensure high standards related to anti-bribery and corruption
Partners must not engage in corruption, extortion, fraud or other improper payments or gifts, in any form, including facilitation payments. In particular, Partners may not offer services, gifts or benefits to Media Defence employees in order to influence any part of Media Defence’s business. Partners shall comply with applicable anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws and, in all work funded by or carried out on behalf of Media Defence, with Media Defence’s Anti-Bribery and Corruption Policy.
3.6 Ensure confidentiality, data protection and information security
Partners shall never breach the confidentiality of information they receive in a professional capacity from Media Defence. Partners shall not access any unauthorised personal and business information of Media Defence.
Partners shall protect personal data they receive from, or collect on behalf of, Media Defence (including information about journalists, clients and their cases) in accordance with applicable data protection law and Media Defence’s Privacy Policy and Data Retention Policy. They shall keep it secure, use it only for the purpose for which it was shared, retain it no longer than necessary, and notify Media Defence within 48 hours of any loss or unauthorised disclosure.
3.7 Ensure accuracy of financial accounting and reporting
Partners shall ensure high standards in all financial accounting and reporting matters. Partners will provide to Media Defence information that is accurate, complete, objective, relevant, timely and understandable. Partners shall reject any business practice which might reasonably be deemed improper.
Partners will report any wrongdoing regarding accounting, internal accounting controls, auditing or financial matters to Media Defence.
No fees or other payments shall be paid to a salaried employee of a grant recipient, unless express and prior agreement has been sought/given by Media Defence.
No fees or other costs may be requested/charged to Media Defence by a grantee or any member of the grantee’s staff, for any activity for which the grantee or their staff member has already been paid by Media Defence or any other entity.
3.8 Ensure high standards in employment practice
Partners shall not threaten workers with or subject them to harsh or inhumane treatment, including sexual harassment, sexual abuse, corporal punishment, and mental or physical coercion.
Partners shall not use any form of forced, bonded, indentured, or compulsory labour. All work must be voluntary, and workers shall be free to leave work or terminate their employment with reasonable notice.
Partners shall not employ children aged 15 or under.
Partners shall comply with the respective national laws and regulations, including those regarding working hours, wages and benefits, anti-trafficking, and relevant occupational health and safety regulations.
Media Defence reserves the right to update this policy and will strive to notify all affected stakeholders of any changes. The version of this Code annexed to a Partner’s grant agreement or contract applies to that agreement unless the parties agree otherwise in writing.
Questions or feedback about this Code can be sent to info@mediadefence.org. Concerns or suspected breaches of this Code can be reported in confidence to the Finance and Operations Director or the CEO. Media Defence will handle reports in line with its Whistleblowing Policy and will not tolerate retaliation against anyone who raises a concern in good faith.
4.0 Definitions
| Abbreviation | Definition |
| Code | This Partner Code of Conduct and Ethics |
| Partner | Partners include grantees (whether they are organisations or individuals) and their staff / officers of grantees; contractors and consultants; and training and event participants. |
| Harassment | Harassment is any verbal, nonverbal or physical conduct designed to threaten, intimidate, silence or coerce. |
| SEAH | Sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment: any actual or attempted abuse of a position of power, trust or vulnerability for sexual purposes, any physical intrusion of a sexual nature, and any unwanted conduct of a sexual nature. |
| Personal data | As defined in Media Defence’s Data Retention Policy: any information that could directly or indirectly identify a living individual. |