Every news organization has its own definition of journalism, and they’re not necessarily better or worse than each other — just different. As a public news outlet, CBC can only define its journalism through a set of rigorous principles that ensures the audience (i.e., all of Canada) knows what to expect: reporting based on accuracy, fairness, balance, impartiality and integrity.

Today we introduce a new feature of the editor’s blog as part of our ongoing efforts to increase transparency and understanding of our journalism. The “Standards Notebook” will take over this space on occasion to explain in greater detail some of the decisions we make around language, the application of our journalistic standards and practices and to answer common questions.