Editorial Code

This is our Editorial Code, also linked in the footer as Editorial Standards. It is short on purpose, so that it can be read and checked. As a launch-edition publication we are building our habits in public, and we expect this page to change. We will date every revision.

Say what we know, and what we do not

We aim for accuracy first. We state claims we can support, and we say so when we are uncertain or when something is an opinion. We do not publish invented statistics, and we do not attribute quotes to real people unless they said them and we can show where.

Label everything we made up

During the launch edition, many of our stories are explainers, guides and analysis written by the editorial team. Some are illustrative features that use fictional characters and organisations to explain a real trend. Each story carries a label at the top and a note at the bottom stating what it is. Illustrative stories never present invented people or events as real, and they do not contain figures we cannot support.

Sourcing and independence

• We name sources where we can and explain why when we cannot.
• We link to primary documents where they exist.
• We do not accept payment for coverage, and we do not let sponsors see or change stories before publication.
• We tell readers about any relationship that could reasonably look like a conflict of interest.

Corrections

When we are wrong, we fix the error promptly and add a visible note saying what was wrong and what changed. We do not silently rewrite. Readers can report errors through the contact page.

Use of AI tools

We may use software, including AI tools, to assist with research, drafting or editing. A human editor remains responsible for everything we publish. We will not present AI-generated images or text as the work of a person, and where a story uses generated imagery or concept art we say so. The images on this launch edition are concept artwork and not documentary photographs.

Respect for people

We do not publish private personal information without a clear public-interest reason. We avoid stereotypes. We try to describe people as they would describe themselves, and we treat readers as intelligent adults with limited time.

Advertising and sponsorship

We carry no advertising at present. If we introduce sponsorship, it will be labelled, kept apart from editorial content and subject to the principles on the media kit page. Sponsors will never choose our stories.

Questions about this code can be sent to [email protected], a placeholder address for the launch edition.