Editorial standards

Sourcing and verification

We lead with a verified finding or an honest reporting question. In every substantive piece we keep these apart:

• what documents and records show;
• what we observed or tested firsthand;
• what others claim, attributed to them;
• our own analysis and inference, labeled as such;
• facts that are disputed, and questions that remain open.

We link primary documents wherever we can and use full references (APA 7) in investigations, field papers and evidence editions. We look for evidence that contradicts a story as well as evidence that supports it. We never invent interviews, documents, incidents, audience figures or testimonials.

Right of reply

Where appropriate, we seek a response from the people and organizations we report on before publication, and we say when a response was sought and not received.

Corrections and updates

When we get something wrong, we correct it and say so on the story, with the date. Material updates, such as new evidence or a response received after publication, are also dated and noted. We don’t silently rewrite published findings.

To request a correction, email info@fairbydesign.org with the link and what you believe is wrong.

Testing claims: the Evidence Lab

When we test a claim ourselves, we follow the Evidence Lab research standard: define the claim, predefine the method, record every run, report failures and limits honestly, and publish enough of the method for others to reproduce or challenge the result. A result from one controlled test is never presented as proof that a system is secure in general.

How we use AI

AI tools may help with research, transcription, drafting, code and analysis. They never manufacture evidence. Findings come from documents, reporting and recorded tests, and a person checks every material claim before publication. We disclose AI use where it is relevant to how a piece was produced.

Independence and funding

FairByDesign is independent of the vendors and institutions it examines. Our work is funded by Mercury Intelligence subscribers, community supporters, public-interest underwriting, our books and training, and clearly labeled advertising and sponsorship.

• Supporters and underwriters fund the work. They do not choose findings, review stories before publication or receive favorable coverage.
• We accept advertising and sponsorship only where there is absolutely no conflict of interest with our independent reporting.
• Sponsored material is always labeled and kept separate from investigations.
• Sponsors have no say over what we cover or conclude.

More detail: Support the reporting and About FairByDesign.

Sources and tips

We welcome firsthand evidence, including evidence that challenges something we have published. For general tips and corrections, email info@fairbydesign.org.

For sensitive material, write to viktoriabakos@proton.me. Proton Mail is end-to-end encrypted when you write from a Proton account of your own; ordinary email from other providers is not. Please don’t send employer records or anything that could identify you until we have agreed how to handle it. We will not publish a source’s identity without their consent.