Freedom from bias

Some years ago, a colleague wrote a letter to a British national newspaper expressing his personal support or opposition to some development in British politics.

He made no mention in his letter of his Reuters connection. But management quickly hauled him over the coals, saying Reuters and its employees were obliged to refrain from expressing personal positions in public to avoid accusations of bias which might be levelled at the company.

Indeed the TR Trust Principles state: “That the integrity, independence and freedom from bias of Thomson Reuters shall at all times be fully preserved.”

Today, I read on The Baron that “Thomson Reuters has publicly declared its support for same sex marriage legislation in Britain. The bill is currently in committee following a majority vote in the House of Commons earlier this month” [Thomson Reuters comes out for UK same sex marriage bill].

Whatever one may think of the issue, this is a hugely divisive subject in many parts of the world where TR has clients, including France where I reside.

What’s going on? Will TR now start backing sides in wars, civil strife, etc. Will TR endorse candidates in key elections around the world and open an editorials page? ■