Hi, thanks for being here! 

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My mission at The Takeaway is to build an independent media project that helps everyday Australians understand how their food systems actually work in a simple accessible way (takeaways), so they can make informed choices and advocate for better policy. 

I do this by exploring how food systems work through policy, food workers, and the hidden histories of what we eat.

I call myself an independent creator journalist  as I am a Reuters Online Digital Journalism alumni working independently rather than for a news organisation. I produce journalism, based on the MEAA Journalist Code of Ethics , and source information from primary sources. However my aim is to monetise and grow my audience. 

I’m not a news influencer who skims secondary sources, often without credit, and package it for rage or click bait or for views. These news influencers are also often paid by other organisations to be mouthpieces for them, and may or may not disclose that information to their viewers. 

As a creator journalist (people who use platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn to talk about news topics), I’m in a unique position. I’m trusted by my community, but that trust is earned. And for that, I  need a clear ethical framework. I have written a framework based on that by the Trustingnews.org 

 

Why Ethics Matter in Creator Journalism

There are thousands of voices online every day and not all of them are aiming to be accurate or responsible. That’s made it really confusing for audiences to know what’s true, what’s opinion, what’s just hype. 

 

So here’s how The Takeaway think about this, and how Il will put this into practice.

 

1. Be Trustworthy and Fair

 

Cite Sources

Whenever I’m sharing facts, whether I’m summarising reports or doing original reporting, I’ll name my sources clearly. This means putting a list of links to my references in the description box on YouTube or written at the end of my articles. If I link to books on Bookshop.org, I will clearly state that I am an affiliate of Bookshop.org and receive a percentage of the cut when a sale is made. 

 

Use Credible Sources (and Explain Why)

I’ll draw from reputable institutions, well-documented evidence, and multiple sources rather than a single anecdote. And when I make a choice about a controversial source, I’ll explain why I picked it.

 

Separate Opinion from Fact

I will be sharing my take but I’ll always label opinions clearly so audiences know what’s analysis versus what’s verified information. 

 

Fairness and Balance

Even in short-form content, I’ll strive to represent multiple viewpoints where appropriate and avoid oversimplifying complex issues.  

 

Acknowledge Uncertainty

If there are unknowns or unresolved questions,  I will explain this clearly.

 

2. Be Accountable and Transparent

 

Be Clear About My Goals

I would like to inform and educate people on the food system so that you can make informed policy choices. I put this in writing and link to it where people can find it easily, for example like at the beginning of this article.

 

Correct Errors Publicly

We all make mistakes. But if I make an error, I’ll correct it openly, explain what happened, and share what I’ll do to avoid it in the future. 

 

Be Open About Funding and Conflicts

If something I post is sponsored, or if I receive gifts or payments that could influence perception, I’ll disclose that clearly.Transparency about funding builds credibility and reduces confusion. It is also a requirement of the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) and  Australian Association of National Advertisers AANA.

 

Talk About Who I Am

The Takeaway is a small brand which is owned by Sofia (yours truly). I aim to share who I am, how I got here, and what experience informs my perspective to give context that helps people judge credibility for themselves. 

 

Explain My Process

Part of trust is demystifying how I work: how I decide what to cover, where I get ideas, the questions I’m trying to answer. That’s something I plan to be more open about.

 

 

3. Be Community-Focused

Engage With My Audience

I would like this to be a two-way dialogue.That means answering as many comments on the main YouTube channel, or website, inviting questions. However, my time and budget is limited and in Australia website and page owners are liable for viewers comments regarding defamation so have only chosen to respond to our main channel comments which are actively moderated and monitored. 

 

Minimise Harm

I won’t chase clicks at the expense of community impact. That means thoughtful decisions about what to publish, how to frame sensitive topics, and explaining tough decisions.

 

Reflect Diverse Perspectives

Even if I serve a niche audience, I’ll make space for voices with different lived experiences or viewpoints, not just echo the familiar or comfortable. 

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Ethics are the foundation of why anyone should trust what we create.I promise accountability, clarity, and a willingness to be transparent with our audience.

If you see something that feels off or have questions about how I’m doing this, please let me know. 

Thanks for watching, and reading!