Who we answer to

Readers pay for this newsroom. Nobody else does. No owner, advertiser or source sees a story before it is published.

Being there

A reporter's name on a story means that reporter did the reporting. If we were not in the room, we say who was and how we know.

Sources

We name sources whenever we can. When we cannot, we say why, and an editor knows who the source is. A single unnamed source is not enough for a claim about a person.

Right of reply

Anyone criticised in a story is asked for their side before publication and given reasonable time to answer.

News and opinion

News stories report. Columns argue, and are labelled Opinion and signed. There are no unsigned editorials.

Advertising

Paid content is labelled as paid, looks different from our reporting and is never written by the newsroom.

Gifts and interests

Reporters do not accept gifts or travel from the people they cover, and do not report on organisations they have a stake in.