7️⃣Article VII - Conflict of Interest

Definition

1. A conflict of interest is when someone’s personal or professional interests clash with GFTV’s independent interests or affect their loyalty to GFTV, which is probable to occur if a Personnel —

62.1 has a business or financial stake in a company that deals with GFTV;

62.2 holds a position or job in another organisation that deals with GFTV;

62.3 makes money from a transaction involving GFTV;

62.4 receives gifts from someone who deals with GFTV that are worth more than a reasonable amount; or

62.5 does any activity outside GFTV that:

62.5.1 interferes with the independence of their duties;

62.5.2 competes with GFTV;

62.5.3 harms the reputation of GFTV;

62.5.4 uses the resources of GFTV;

62.5.5 implies the support of GFTV; or

62.5.6 any other consequence that violates Article 6 of the Charter.

1. A conflict of interest may occur when, but not limited to if, a Personnel —

63.1 is offered a gift, donation, sponsorship, or endorsement from an external source that may risk their impartiality or independence in fulfilling GFTV duties;

63.2 has a personal relationship with a subject, source, or partner of GFTV’s media content or any or all of its Initiatives and Spaces;

63.3 has a financial stake in a company or organisation that is related to GFTV’s media content or any or all of its Initiatives and Spaces;

63.4 is professionally affiliated with a media outlet or organisation that competes with or contradicts GFTV’s content or any or all of its Initiatives and Spaces; or

63.5 is in cases that may compromise Article VI of the Charter and the Standards.

Dealing with Conflict of Interest

1. If a conflict of interest is present or possible until the conflict of interest is mitigated or addressed, Personnel shall —

64.1 immediately gather the following list of information:

64.1.1 their own name and position;

64.1.2 the name and position of any other person or entity involved;

64.1.3 the nature, extent, and impact of the conflict;

64.1.4 any proposed solutions or recommendations to address the conflict;

64.1.5 save and preserve evidence in respect of this as much as possible;

64.2 promptly declare and update the circumstances of any conflicts of interest —

64.2.1 to their Officers within 24 hours of becoming aware of the conflict and

64.2.2 at the start of every project or assignment.

Suspension of rights while under review

1. After a conflict of interest is declared, and until resolved:

65.1 Personnel who declared their conflict of interest will —

65.1.1 withdraw from any decision-making, voting or involvement where a conflict of interest exists or may arise;

65.1.2 have declarations therein recorded in the minutes or reports of the relevant meeting, project, or assignment;

65.1.3 have their rights to vote suspended.

65.2 Officers shall —

65.2.1 announce every time before MOMs or EMOMs begin, if the discussion topic is relevant, that a person who has declared a conflict of interest is present at the meetings;

65.2.2 consult the concerned parties or seek external professional advice;

65.2.3 communicate them to the concerned parties 48 hours after declaration;

65.2.4 document all decisions and actions in writing at all times and use this to prepare an anonymised summary report, available to Personnel, for presentation at the next MOM or EMOM, whichever is nearer.

Consequence for failing to disclose conflict of interest

1. Any GFTV member or officer who fails to disclose, report, mitigate or resolve a conflict of interest may face disciplinary action, such as suspension, demotion, or expulsion.

66.1 Any content or initiative affected by a conflict of interest may be withdrawn, corrected, or cancelled by GFTV.