Swedish-American Chambers of Commerce of USA, Inc.

Editorial Code of Ethics

Currents magazine supports the Swedish-American business and trade network by publishing news, information and analysis. Our journalistic publications need to be both attractive and trusted in order to be efficient tools for SACC-USA. This requires editorial quality and integrity. It is not uncommon that news media and in particular trade publications face pressure from advertisers and outside interest groups to carry material that highlight special interests or point of views. It is however necessary to withstand this pressure and solely rely on journalistic principles when we plan, write and commission articles for Currents. We must protect the integrity of the magazine and the organisation. If we don't do this, our readers and the general public could loose trust in our integrity.

In order to explain this to our contributors, partners, advertisers and readers, SACC-USA has adopted a Code of Ethics for Currents magazine.

Policy

SACC-USA appoints the Editor, who decides on the content of the magazine after consultations with SACC-USA's Chairman and President. The Editor regularly briefs the advertising staff on content plans and future cover stories. The advertising staff should not in any way try to influence the content of the magazine, and never discuss future content with advertisers other than by informing them of the plans laid down in the Editorial Calendar and other information to the advertisers from the Editor.
The Publisher has the ultimate financial and legal responsibility for the content of the magazine.
Keep a clear distinction between the advertising and the editorial side of the magazine.
If an advertiser or even a SACC Member Company wants to be featured in Currents, or have suggestions for future content, he or she can get in touch with the Editor through standard channels, i.e. mail, email or via telephone. We do not want to create the perception of having back-door channels to getting featured in the magazine. It is not fair to our readers, member companies or advertisers to give preferential treatment to a select few. We don't want to limit the interaction between the Editor and the public, but it is important that it is fair and stands on an equal footing.
Neither advertising money nor sponsorship buys editorial coverage in any form.
Any material that is paid for by the advertiser must be clearly marked as an advertisment. Such material must also have a design that is distinct and different from the editorial content.
Advertising pages should not be linked or "hooked" to related editorial material , which could give the reader the impression that we endorse a particular product/service or company.
Any advertising which could be in conflict with our editorial integrity should be submitted to the Editor for review.

Spring 2009

Scary as the future may look, we know that there is no way back, no way to restore the roaring, warring ways of the past decade. The earth has moved, and only change can bring us a better future. Seen from the perspective of Mother Earth, this crisis has probably been a breather, as the slowing economies of the world have paused in their relentless production of greenhouse gases and other pollutants. but standing still is no solution. We need to get goinh again, but that going must be green. America is reeling under the weight of the financial crisis, and its giant auto industry has ground to a halt. Like in the 1930s, the way forward requires new leadership, change and hope, three items that the presidential election provided us with. In a crisis of this scope, the solution cannot be piecemeal - it must be comprehensive. Demand must be restored, as must finance and credit, but we also need to focus on education, healthcare, infrastructure, energy and the environment. These are all areas in which little Sweden has a lot to contribute to the U.S. giant, while at the same time growing its own green industrial base. In this issue of Currents, we cover Swedish companies that can help the U.S. develop clean and green energy. "These technologies are known and have been used in Sweden for 40 years. They can be deployed now, and the economics work," says Ross Harding, an energy expert in Savannah, GA. We have talked to several of the 52 companies on Ambassador Michael Wood's list of Swedish clean-tech companies ready for the American market. We also report on Scandinavian Airlines' green approach to energy efficiency and helping the environment.

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