Standards & Corrections
Our editorial standards are the same for every finding, every source, and every named subject. There are no exceptions.
Sourcing
We do not publish findings sourced to a single tip, regardless of the documentary evidence accompanying it. Every published finding rests on at least two independent, structurally distinct sources, with at least one documentary corroborator.
We do not pay sources. We do not promise sources favorable coverage in exchange for documents. We do not coordinate with intelligence services, law enforcement, or political organizations on what to publish or when.
Right of Comment
Every named subject of a finding is offered an opportunity to respond before publication. Comment requests are sent through the most appropriate available channel. We allow no fewer than five business days for response unless safety considerations require expedited publication.
The standard form for non-response in published findings is:
"[Subject] did not respond to written requests for comment sent on [date 1] and [date 2]."
If a subject responds after publication, we append their response to the finding and date the update. We do not edit the original text in response to post-publication comment except to correct factual errors.
Corrections
Factual errors are corrected at the top of the finding, dated, and described. We do not silently edit. Material corrections — those that change the substance of a finding — are also republished as a separate notice on the homepage for at least seven days.
Withdrawals
A finding is withdrawn if its underlying corroboration is materially undermined: a key source recants, documents are shown to be forged, or independent reporting establishes that our reading of the facts was wrong. Withdrawals are dated, explained, and remain on the site as a permanent record. We do not delete withdrawn findings.
Source Protection
Source identities are protected through technical measures (no IP logging, encrypted submission storage, hashed filenames) and editorial measures (named editors do not know individual source identities except where a source has voluntarily disclosed).
We will not comply with informal requests to disclose source information. We will resist legal compulsion to the maximum extent available under applicable law, including by relocating editorial operations if necessary.
Conflicts of Interest
Editors recuse themselves from findings involving institutions where they have served, individuals they have personal relationships with, or financial interests they have not disclosed to the editorial chair. Recusals are logged internally and counted in our quarterly transparency report.
Contact
Corrections requests: corrections@thewire.pub
Right-of-reply submissions: reply@thewire.pub
Editor PGP key: Coming soon