- Honesty: One of my most important values, which I also take seriously in my private life, is to try to always be honest – no matter how unpleasant the truth might be. Especially in my journalistic work, I am following this rule.
- Sources: I name as many sources as possible. Scientific publications are to be used for all medical articles. Additionally, it is a matter of concern for me that medical reporting is transparent and easy to understand. Therefore, I cite and name scientific publications concretely.
- Research: Most of my medical articles require a very careful and extensive research in which I invest weeks and read up to 50 publications on the subject.
- Emotion: Besides the medical facts, it is important for me to also show how people are actually feeling about their condition. However, I do not like exaggerating or overdramatizing the human experience. Emotion is important, exaggeration unnecessary.
- Opinion: Objectivity is my goal, but to reach full objectivity is not simple. Human beings have personal values and experiences and those manifest themselves in the person’s work as well. I am no exception. Nonetheless, I try to clearly distinguish personal opinion from facts. Opinion is marked as such, and opinion that does not represent my own is presented too.
- Respect: I treat all people with respect and honor their right for privacy. I might change names in my articles if this is necessary to protect the person’s identity. Name changes are clearly marked as such. I treat all people the same way, regardless of their ethnicity, social standing, religion, etc.
- Conflicts of interest are to be avoided and if they occur, they are clearly stated.
- My articles and I are not going to be changed by anyone in their favor. My work and I are independent.
- Mistakes are to be corrected immediately and clearly marked. Humans can make errors. I feel strongly about admitting mistakes openly. If someone informs me about a fallacious statement in my work, I will immediately correct and highlight it.
- Confidentiality: I do not disclose information of sources without their explicit consent.
- In the first place, I am a human being, not a journalist. I know, journalists are supposed to be silent observers, and should never interfere, and I usually stick to that. But if a situation should occur in which another person will be seriously harmed or injured, I see my duty as a human to offer help.
- Above all, I want to give a voice to those who would otherwise remain invisible. In doing so, I pay particular attention to the impact my coverage could have on their situation. I immediately declare my personal motivation.
- Dialogue: I am always available for questions and suggestions.
- Images and video: I do not alter images or edit videos in a way that they appear in a wrong context.
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