Editorial Statute

The Executive Board has instated the editorial statute below for the Delta journalism platform. See the full text here.

Article 1 – Starting points

The mission of the Technical University of Delft is to be a leading university internationally through the quality of its education and research. The Executive Board views internal and external communications as imperative in this.

Article 2 – Starting points for publications

2.1
In achieving its mission and in relation to its defined corporate communications policy, the Technical University of Delft or the Executive Board publishes the following magazines:
•    Delft Integraal (DI)
•    Delft Outlook (DO)

This also applies to the online platform:
•    Delta

2.2
Through sharing information, the publications create awareness among staff members and students about TU Delft, how it operates, and its parts, and thus helps them bond with TU Delft and its mission.

2.3
The general purpose of Delft Integraal and Delft Outlook is to draw the attention of alumni, external contacts and anyone interested in the academic research carried out at TU Delft. More specifically, in this context, orientation towards TU Delft’s research strategy takes place.

2.4
In line with their design that serves the Marketing and Communications objectives of the Technical University of Delft, Delft Integraal and Delft Outlook are also tasked with serving as an information channel for TU Delft alumni and in doing so, they include articles and reports that are written specifically for this target group.

2.5
Delta serves as an open forum for the wide range of opinions and exchanges at TU Delft. This reflects the academic tradition of the Technical University of Delft. Members of the TU Delft community and students do not experience any repercussions in their work or studies connected to the opinions they share in Delta.

2.6
Delta acts as an open information channel for all sections of the TU Delft community and for all administrative bodies. This task reflects the chosen formula of the online platform.

Article 3 – Editorial and journalistic points of departure

3.1
The Executive Board entrusts the Editorial Office with independence in the belief that this advances the quality of the journalistic activities and is thus in the interests of TU Delft.

The Executive Board and the Editorial Office recognise that the publications are both specific products and differ from each other. However, they do believe that combining various journalistic competencies improves the quality of the products.

3.2
The Editorial Office of these publications works in accordance with journalism standards. This means applying the principles of free news gathering, verification of sources and facts, and of adversarial principle. They strive for neutral and objective information about research and education as well as about events and developments in and around TU Delft.

3.3
The Editorial Office is aware of the responsibility that this brings and how it reflects the position of these publications as a means of communication. It understands that its journalistic independence cannot be seen as separate from the interests of TU Delft as a whole. The Executive Board recognises that reporting as described in Article 3.2 serves the interests of TU Delft.

3.4
Depending on the different purposes and the design of the different publications, the Editorial Office reports on education, research, policy and the social life of the Technical University of Delft and on national developments in the area of higher education and the labour market for engineers.

3.5
In the interest of as complete reporting as possible and its associated background information, the Editorial Office can rely on the open cooperation of the institution’s management, faculties, representation bodies, and services. Apart from these, the Editorial Office is free to seek out and grow its own information channels.

3.6
The Editorial Office regularly asks readers about their experiences with and views on the publications. The Editorial Office incorporates the outcomes of these surveys in its policy. To this end, it consults the Editorial Board.

Article 4 – Means of publishing

The Delft Integraal and Delft Outlook magazines are published both on paper and on the internet and are distributed among the alumni of the Technical University of Delft. Delta is an open online platform whose primary target groups are the staff members and students of the Technical University of Delft. Any use of articles by others outside the Editorial Office is only permitted when not changed in any way and after consultation.

Article 5 – Editorial Board

5.1
There is an Editorial Board that acts as a general supervisory body for the Editorial Office on behalf of the Executive Board. It checks the content of the magazines and websites in line with Articles 2 and 3, and checks the editorial and journalistic policies. The Board discusses the current editorial policy with the Editor in Chief and shares advice on new subjects and/or editorial developments. Given their task and responsibility, and depending on the subject, the Director of Marketing and Communications may be invited to a meeting.

5.2
The members of Editorial Board are appointed by the Executive Board. The term of office of members of the Board is four years. Members appointed in the interim also step down at the end of the term. The members may be reappointed but may only serve up to two terms.

5.3

The Editorial Board consists of nine members. Of these, four to six are staff members half of whom are academic staff, two students and one to three external journalism experts. The Editorial Board elects one of the external members as Chair.

5.4
The Editorial Board is accountable to the Executive Board, and exercises this by making its minutes available.

5.5
The Editorial Board meets at least four times a year. The Editor in Chief provides official support to the Board.

Article 6 – Academic Advisory Board

6.1
There is an Academic Advisory Board that discusses the selection and approach of the academic articles in Delft Integraal, Delft Outlook and Delta, makes suggestions about the scientific research to be covered in the publications, and checks the academic responsibility of the articles to be published.

6.2
The Academic Advisory Board can also advise, solicited or unsolicited, about aligning Delft Integraal, Delft Outlook and Delta.

6.3
The Academic Advisory Board consists of a representative body, preferably made up of professors, for the research at TU Delft. Chairing the Board is the responsibility of the Rector Magnificus of TU Delft or someone appointed by the Rector Magnificus as a representative. The Marketing and Communications Director can attend the meetings as an observer.

6.4
The members of the Academic Advisory Board are appointed by the Executive Board. The term of office of members of the Board is four years. Members appointed in the interim also step down at the end of the term. The members may be reappointed but may only serve two terms. The Academic Advisory Board meets at least twice a year.

6.5
The Academic Advisory Board makes its minutes available to the Executive Board and the Editorial Board.

Article 7 – Joint meeting

7.1
The Editorial Board and the Academic Advisory Board meet at least once every two years during the term of office. The Editorial Board is responsible for arranging the meeting. Given their task and responsibility, and depending on the subject to be discussed, the Director of Marketing and Communications may be invited to a meeting.

7.2
The Editor in Chief provides official support to the joint meeting.

Article 8 – Editorial Office

8.1
The Editorial Office is employed by the Technical University of Delft. It consists of an editor in chief, one or more chief editors, and one or more editors. There are also personnel who work on a freelance basis. The Editorial Office receives secretarial support from the Marketing and Communications Department.

8.2
The daily responsibility for publishing and editing the magazines and the websites rest with the Editor in Chief. The Editor in Chief is accountable to the Editorial Board for the content. He/she takes the academic advice of the Academic Advisory Board into account. In terms of management, he/she reports to the Director of Marketing and Communications. The Editor in Chief is tasked with encouraging academic debate at TU Delft, while adhering to the principles laid out in Articles 2 and 3.

8.3
To strengthen bonds with TU Delft, the Editorial Office strives to work with freelance staff from the university community, particularly from the student body.

8.4
In the case of the appointment, performance evaluation or dismissal of the Editor in Chief, the Director of Marketing and Communications acts as official supervisor according to the instructions of the Executive Board. He/she gathers advice from the Editorial Office, the Editorial Board and the Academic Advisory Board. Any decisions to be taken, with the exception of evaluation decisions, are taken by the Executive Board.

8.5
In the case of the appointment, performance evaluation or dismissal of Editorial Office members, the Editor in Chief acts as the official supervisor. Any decisions are taken by the Director of Marketing and Communications, following advice shared by the Editor in Chief.

Article 9 – Management and operation

9.1
The Technical University of Delft, or the Executive Board, is the publisher of the three publications. The Executive Board may choose to be represented by the Director of Marketing and Communications.

9.2
The Editor in Chief regularly discusses the publications’ formulas with the publisher. The Editor in Chief submits an operations budget to the publisher after consultation with the Editorial Board. The budget constitutes an earmarked amount that is part of the Marketing and Communications Department’s budget. A commercial policy is carried out in consultation with the publishers that strives to optimise income from advertisements, informative magazines and special editions. The appropriate facilities are made available to Delta, Delft Integraal and Delft Outlook staff.

9.3
Any changes made to the formulas are set by the publisher after consultation with the Editor in Chief, the Academic Advisory Board in terms of DI and DO, and the Editorial Board. Investment budgets to improve quality, revamp the design, electronic applications and so on, are submitted to the publisher by the Editor in Chief after consultation with the Editorial Board.

9.4
The publisher may request the Editor in Chief to deploy the expertise of his/her staff members for other Marketing and Communications Department activities as long as these do not jeopardise the independence and the objectives of the publications. In case of a difference in opinion, the Editor in Chief may request the Editorial Board for binding arbitration.

Article 10 – Complaints and appeals

10.1
Complaints from readers about the content of the publications are addressed by the Editor in Chief. Should readers believe that the Editor in Chief has not addressed their concerns adequately, they can approach the Editorial Board that checks substantiated complaints against the Statutes. The decision of the Board is binding, without prejudice to the right of complaint as laid down in the National Ombudsman Act and other regulations.

10.2
In relevant cases, the Editor in Chief is required to place rectifications or extra information. In the case of the website, the Editor in Chief decides if previous publications need to be adjusted. In the case of major substantive corrections, the Editor in Chief ensures that a brief annotation of any changes are included in the modified article.

Article 11 – Transition and change

11.1
This editorial statute replaces all previous editorial statutes. It takes effect on the day of publication, as established by the Executive Board.

11.2
Changes to this statute are adopted by the Executive Board. The Executive Board does not take any decisions without having listened to the Editorial Board.