ANSA curates the collection, publication and distribution, to its Members and to third parties, of news and of any other communication service, in every form, also based on the development of IT and communication technologies.
In carrying out its activities, the Agency implements the principles of independence, impartiality and objectivity established in its Bylaws and complies with national and international laws; in this context, the adoption of a Code of Ethics is a further step to formalise and outline the set of values that inspire the Agency in achieving its purposes and to provide value to its Members .
The principles and provisions of this Code of Ethics are binding for Directors, top management, employees and collaborators, as well as for all those who are bound by a contractual relationship - even occasional and/or temporary - with the Agency (hereinafter "addressees"). In particular:
The company applies the following principles to achieve its goals:
The goals and purposes of the activity of each addressee must pursue only the general interests of the Company; therefore, it is essential to prevent situations of conflicts of interest. These are intended as situations where an interest other than the Company's mission is pursued or activities that interfere with the ability to make decisions in the sole interest of the Company or situations where one takes personal advantage of the Company's business opportunities or where representatives of clients, suppliers, public institutions, public officers or public service officers act in contrast with the duties imposed by their position. Conflicts of interest include but are not limited to:
The Company ensures the confidentiality of all the information it has and refrains from searching and using confidential data, except for the case of expressed and aware authorisation, and always in compliance with the privacy laws and company procedures in force.
According to their different relationships with the Company, addressees must not use confidential information for purposes that are not related to the activity they have been entrusted with.
The Company ensures the participation of Members in the decisions that fall within their competency, thereby ensuring equality, transparency, clarity, and completeness of information concerning the situation and trend of the company, as well as the right to access said information.
Every operation or transaction must be correctly recorded in the company accounting system, according to the criteria indicated by law and by accounting principles and must be duly authorised, verifiable, lawful, and consistent. Every operation must be backed by relevant documentation in order to allow for checks at any time to certify characteristics and motivations of the transaction and verify the decision-making, authorisation, and implementation processes, as well as to identify the various levels of responsibility.
The Company acknowledges the importance of Human Resources for its development and success.
The management of labour relations and collaboration must be based on respect for workers' rights and professionalism, to ensure an inclusive and safety work environment respectful of diversity, where women and men are treated equally, and have equal opportunities for professional growth. The value and growth of human resources must be based on individual competencies and skills, with no discrimination whatsoever, thereby providing and implementing training and/or qualification activities.
The Company ensures a safe and healthy workplace by taking all measures provided by law. The Company undertakes to develop and disseminate a culture of safety, thereby raising awareness of the risks and promoting responsible behaviour among employees and collaborators, to ensure safety and well-being to all employees, to prevent and contrast any form of violence or sexual harassment in the workplace.
The Company takes special care in carrying out operations whilst respecting the environment and public health, in compliance with standards and principles of social, environmental and economic sustainability.
a. Clients. The conduct with clients is based on helpfulness, fairness and professionalism, in order to ensure prompt and qualified responses to the clients' requirements and build a polite and collaborative relationship.
Products and services provided must fully meet the clients' expectations without discrimination or partiality. The Company also undertakes to effectively and promptly examine suggestions or complaints from clients.
b. Suppliers. Procurement processes are based on the search for the greatest competitive advantage for the Company and on granting equal opportunities to every supplier, thereby ensuring loyalty and impartiality.
The selection of suppliers and determination of the terms and conditions of purchase are based on an objective evaluation of the quality and price of the goods or services, in compliance with ethical and environmental principles, as well as on the guarantees regarding support and timeliness. All this is subjected to periodic revisions to maintain a high standard of service and a sustainability management of the supply chain.
c. Public Administration and Public Institutions. The Company's relations with the Public Administration are based on compliance of the provisions of law and of the applicable regulations and cannot compromise the Company's integrity and reputation in any way. Commitments and management of relations of whatever type with the Public Administration, are carried out in compliance with the Code of Conduct regarding relations with the Public Administration and are reserved exclusively to the appointed company functions and to authorised personnel.
d. Unions and Political organizations. The Company undertakes not to allocate funds, directly or indirectly, to political parties, movements, committees, and political organizations and trade unions or to their representatives or candidates, except for cases of funds due on the basis of specific regulations.
e. Economic and Financial News. The company, in the interest of its editorial activities, respects the strict principles of independence, impartiality and objectivity. To all those subject to this Code it is expressly prohibited to take anything, directly or indirectly, for personal gain, either for themselves or for third parties, or in favor of ANSA through the use or the distribution of preferred economic and financial information acquired or dealt with, within the extent of its functions.
f. Gifts, donations, courtesy acts. In relations with public and private bodies, representatives, employees, and/or collaborators are not allowed to pay or offer, directly or through third parties, amounts or any gifts to compensate or repay public officers or subjects appointed to public service and/or other employees of the Public Administration or other Public Institutions, or officials of private companies, or their families, for activities that fall within the tasks of their office or to obtain an act in conflict with the duties of their office.
Business courtesy acts, such as gifts, in-kind donations, forms of hospitality, or any other forms of benefit (even in the form of donations) are allowed only if these do not compromise the integrity and reputation of the parties and cannot be interpreted as acts intended to gain advantage and personal favours. In any case, these must always be authorised and properly documented.
The following tasks are appointed to the Supervisory Board, as outlined by the guidelines of the organization, management and control model, pursuant to Italian Legislative Decree 231/2001, implemented by the Company with a resolution of the Board of Directors:
The Company undertakes to disclose the Code of Ethics to the addressees by means of an appropriate information and awareness-raising plan to promote the knowledge of the principles and rules contained in it.
Compliance with the provisions of this Code of Ethics and organization, management and control models are considered as an essential part of the contractual obligations that bind the employees, pursuant to art. 2104 of the Italian Civil Code. Breaches of the Code of Ethics may constitute a breach of the primary obligations of the contract or disciplinary offence, in compliance with the procedures provided by art. 7 of the Workers' Statute, with all the consequences provided by Law, even concerning termination of the contract and/or appointment and may involve compensation for damage.
Compliance with the Code must be considered as an essential part of the contractual obligations that bind freelance collaborators and/or people have business relations with the Company. Breaches of the Code of Ethics may constitute a breach of the contract, with all the consequences provided by Law, even concerning termination of the contract and/or appointment and may involve compensation for damage.
This Code of Ethics is approved by the Company's Board of Directors. Any amendment and/or integration must be approved by the Board of Directors and promptly notified to the recipients.