LONDON (Reuters) – Thomson Reuters (NYSE:) Corp on Wednesday pulled out of a pledge to assist members of the British armed forces with the intention to “protect the protection and neutrality of our reporters” after complaints from some present and former Reuters employees that it could compromise the information company’s fame for independence.

Thomson Reuters, the Toronto-based mum or dad of Reuters, on Aug. 31 signed the British Armed Forces Covenant, which pledges to assist and assist these at the moment serving within the British armed forces in addition to veterans and their households.

After Thomson Reuters’ assist for the covenant grew to become public, numerous present and former Reuters journalists stated the pledge known as into query the impartiality of the worldwide information company, which is obliged by the Belief Rules to behave always with integrity, independence and freedom from bias.

Additionally they raised considerations that the pledge might endanger reporters working in sure international locations as a result of the company could possibly be solid as supportive of Britain’s armed forces or of its overseas coverage. “We’ve determined we should withdraw our signature to protect the protection and neutrality of our reporters,” a Thomson Reuters spokesperson stated in an emailed assertion.

“The covenant just isn’t affiliated with any political social gathering and the initiative was signed with the very best intentions, however our participation led to considerations that such a public pledge might undermine the Thomson Reuters Belief Rules and compromise the newsroom’s independence and security of our journalists.”

The Armed Forces Covenant says it “helps serving personnel, service leavers, veterans, and their households.”

The British defence ministry says the covenant demonstrates an organisation’s “intention to assist the Armed Forces group”. A spokesman for the ministry declined speedy touch upon the withdrawal by Thomson Reuters.

Thomson Reuters stated it signed the covenant as “an extension of our longstanding assist” for Britain’s poppy attraction, by which tens of thousands and thousands of individuals purchase a crimson paper or metallic poppy to recollect the struggle useless and assist armed forces households.

It stated the choice to withdraw didn’t have an effect on its dedication to being an inclusive organisation that helps folks from all backgrounds, together with army veterans.