Our Journalistic Standards

The Standards We Hold Ourselves To

Investigative journalism carries a responsibility proportional to its power. A published investigation can shape reputations and livelihoods, so we bind ourselves to a strict code of ethics and publish these standards so readers can hold us accountable to them.

Our work is guided by the principles of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) Code of Ethics: seek truth and report it, minimize harm, act independently, and be accountable and transparent.

Seeking Truth

We report what the evidence supports and nothing more. Every factual assertion in an investigation is verified before publication, and we distinguish clearly between what is documented, what is alleged, and what is opinion. We identify our sources wherever possible, and when we grant anonymity, we explain why and we still verify the underlying information independently.

Minimizing Harm

Pursuing the truth does not give us license to be careless with people. We treat subjects, sources, and readers with respect, and we weigh the public value of a detail against the harm its publication might cause. We are especially cautious with information that could expose private individuals who are not public figures, and we avoid sensationalism. Showing compassion and exercising restraint are not weaknesses in investigative work; they are marks of judgment.

Source Protection

People who share information with journalists sometimes take real risks. We protect the identity of confidential sources and do not disclose information that could identify them without their consent. We honor our commitments to sources even when it is inconvenient, and we are cautious about the documents and data we retain.

Right-of-Reply

Fairness is not optional. Before we publish any finding that is critical of a named company or individual, we contact them with the specific claims and give them a meaningful opportunity to respond. Our standard is a minimum of 72 hours before publication, longer when the subject matter is complex. We report their response accurately, and if they decline to comment, we say so plainly rather than implying guilt from silence.

Corrections

When we make an error of fact, we correct it promptly and transparently. Corrections are clearly labeled, explain what was wrong and what the correct information is, and are not buried or quietly removed. We do not treat a correction as an embarrassment; we treat it as a duty.

Independence From Advertisers

Our reporting is not for sale. We do not accept payment to investigate, to soften, or to suppress a story. Advertising relationships, where they exist, never influence editorial decisions, and our journalists do not hold financial interests in the companies they cover. If a potential conflict ever arises, we disclose it to readers rather than hide it.

Independence is the only asset an investigative publication truly owns. We guard it accordingly.