Ethics Policy
From 2005 to 2008, I studied BA (Hons) Journalism at the University of Lincoln (UK). While primarily a practical course, it also included instruction in the theoretical aspects of the trade, including the law as it applies to journalists and ethical considerations. This site operates under effectively the same ethical structures as any good professional journalist uses.
The Truth
The most fundamental aspect of journalism ethics is the objective reporting of the truth or, at the very least, the truth to the extent that the journalist knows it. This site is no different. Reviews will be honest and complete (though, being largely based on personal experiences and opinions, they may not be completely objective). The purpose of this site is to give fellow travellers a real view of my experiences and for me to enjoy sharing them, not to boost the public image of businesses.
While I will always endeavour to conduct thorough research and fact-checking, I do not claim to be totally infallible. There may possibly be slip-ups and inaccuracies. If discovered, these will naturally be corrected as soon as possible.
Sources
Since this site is not really a news medium, there will not be that many occasions where other people are used as sources of information. For the most part, the stories here will be descriptions of my own personal experiences, making me the sole source. However, in the cases where there are other sources, I will always use my skill and experience to gauge their reliability and weigh their input accordingly, but will also protect their identity where necessary.
Full Disclosure
As stated above, this site is a source of information and entertainment, not part of anybody’s PR machine. For that reason, every review will include a Full Disclosure paragraph at the end, clearly stating any personal or business relationship I may have with the subject of that review. Any payment or reward involved (monetary or otherwise) will be included in this section. Naturally, I will do my best to avoid letting such relationships interfere with my objectivity.
In cases where I am invited to review a business, the owners or operators may request the right to preview the article before publication. This does not include the right to force changes, however. Corrections of factual errors will be accepted, but major content changes which significantly alter the tone or message of the piece will not. Businesses will be given the right to halt publication of an article for any reason.
Morality
The pursuit and reporting of truth will undoubtedly mean that I will be confronted by some of the more unsightly, morally questionable aspects of the travelling and expatriate experience. I believe that a comforting lie is infinitely more harmful than a painful truth, which is why I intend to discuss even these unpleasant facts on this blog. I believe that an informed traveller is a safer traveller. People are less likely to make costly mistakes if they know what to expect – even the very worst.
A subject or practice being mentioned on this site does not constitute an endorsement of it.
Degema and my Full-Time Employers
Degema Travel is not, at the time of writing, my primary source of income. In fact, at the time of writing, it is primarily a source of expense. I am employed full time in the travel industry but, while it would not be that difficult for anyone to discover who exactly my employers are, I will not be openly disclosing the fact on here. My managers are aware of the existence of this site and the fact that I keep the two distinct from each other, working on here only in my own free time, using only my own resources.
It is important to note that my employers are not affiliated with this site, nor do my opinions expressed here necessarily reflect theirs. Degema Travel is a personal project and should be treated as such by all, including both readers and businesses requesting reviews.