These were the opening words of the first news bulletin on La Sexta Noticias on 11 September 2006 and they illustrate our commitment to our viewers.
PRINCIPLES
The frame of reference for La Sexta Noticias professionals is the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, signed by the UN in 1948, which has its counterpart in the Spanish Constitution (Article 10, section 2). Spain's Constitution is also a document which La Sexta professionals respect and observe.
Based on its desire to move with the times, La Sexta Noticias also aims to give a voice to those national and international organisations and associations who defend the most disadvantaged in society and fight against inequality and injustice. NGOs and new social movements form a basic principle when it comes to reporting. Their importance to the conservation of values such as equality, solidarity, partnership, peace, freedom and knowledge, makes them a basic instrument for understanding our world.
Their importance is enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Emerging Human Rights which was ratified in Monterrey (Mexico) in 2007.
La Sexta Noticias keeps a strict watch on how well these supporting principles are observed in the various daily news-content meetings and in weekly Management meetings.
LANGUAGE
Spoken and visual language both come under the daily control of the programme editors. Spoken language is subject to the criteria of the Royal Spanish Academy and should fully reflect idiomatic variations found throughout the Spanish state. Names of cities and provinces will be pronounced and written as agreed by local councils, regional parliaments or the National Parliament.
Offensive language has no place in La Sexta Noticias. It may only be broadcast when it is informative or when it facilitates an understanding of certain situations. Presenters and editors may not use such language. Only those appearing on news reports may do so.
As regards the use of images, La Sexta Noticias is very careful to observe the need to protect children at agreed times. A minor may only take part in a news report, whether as a witness or a subject, with the written consent of their parents or guardians.
Viewers will be warned in advance of the use of violent images and these will only be used where they are an essential feature of the report. The decision on what is suitable for broadcasting is at the discretion of the management and it is their task to decide whether or not an image adds to the quality of a news report. Whilst unnecessary violent images will not be misused, neither will there be any suppression of those images which report situations of injustice or the cruelty of war.
PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
All reporting by La Sexta Noticias must be balanced and show both sides or both versions of the news.
Unless found guilty by a court of law, everyone in our news reports will be presumed to be innocent. Where legal proceedings are taking place, the status of the defendant will always be made explicit (charged, accused, etc.).
La Sexta Noticias respects the individual's private life.
Where other media obtain exclusive information which La Sexta Noticias wishes to use, these sources must be acknowledged.