Editorial Policy for Student Living
Introduction Student Living is a newspaper published by MeD8 Media (Pty) Ltd, Registration Number: 2018/219149/07. The publication serves as a platform for final-year Journalism students to showcase their reporting skills under the mentorship of seasoned journalists. Our content, produced for both print and online editions, is developed with the guidance of experienced editors, reviewed for accuracy, and is aligned with South Africa’s Press Code through our membership with the Press Council of South Africa.
1. Editorial Oversight
- All articles in Student Living are reviewed and approved by the publisher before publication.
- Student journalists receive mentorship from a team of over five professional journalists and editors to ensure adherence to high journalistic standards.
- Corrections of any errors are made promptly and transparently.
2. Impartiality
- Student Living maintains a neutral stance on political and religious issues.
- The publication does not endorse or promote any political views or religious beliefs, focusing solely on providing balanced, unbiased information for its readers.
3. Mission and Ethics
- Our primary mission is to develop journalism students’ skills by providing a real-world platform that values ethics, accuracy, and integrity in reporting.
- We uphold the Press Code and strive for fair and balanced reporting in every article.
4. Data Availability and Transparency
- Data transparency is fundamental to our commitment to credible journalism.
- For research-based articles, Student Living requires authors to provide a clear Data Availability Statement indicating if data used in the study is accessible (e.g., in public repositories, upon request).
- This transparency promotes the reproducibility of findings, aligning with global standards of openness in research.
5. Sex and Gender Reporting
- We encourage writers to apply the SAGER (Sex and Gender Equity in Research) guidelines to differentiate between sex (biological aspects) and gender (social and cultural roles) where relevant.
- Key aspects include:
- Using “sex” and “gender” accurately to avoid confusion.
- Clearly stating if studies or articles address specific sexes or genders, particularly in titles and abstracts.
- Reporting on any potential sex or gender-related differences in research findings.
- Where applicable, breaking down data by sex and/or gender and discussing relevant findings.
- Writers should consult the SAGER guidelines for a comprehensive understanding, especially for articles related to health, social sciences, and research.
Definitions:
- Sex: Refers to biological attributes distinguishing males and females, such as chromosomes, organs, and hormones.
- Gender: Refers to roles and behaviours influenced by societal and cultural contexts, which vary by time and place.
6. Application of Sex and Gender Guidelines These guidelines are recommended for research or articles involving human studies, animal studies, or cell lines, ensuring clarity and respect in discussing diverse audiences and subjects.
