Every decision at NewsDefused, from our choice of automation technology to our coverage priorities to our corrections policy, considers one fundamental question: does this strengthen or weaken reader trust?
This document outlines the principles, practices, and safeguards that protect NewsDefused's trustworthiness.
Core Editorial Values
NewsDefused operates according to five foundational values:
1. Accuracy Above All
We strive to get the facts right, every time. When we fail, we correct promptly and transparently. Speed never justifies sacrificing accuracy.
2. Independence from Influence
Our editorial decisions serve reader interests, not commercial pressures, political agendas, or the preferences of coverage subjects. We maintain editorial independence even from our own technology vendors and operational partners.
3. Fairness in Coverage
We represent issues fairly, provide context that prevents misleading readers, and give subjects of critical coverage opportunity to respond. Fairness does not mean false balance - we report reality, not artificial equivalence.
4. Transparency in Methods
We explain how we work, acknowledge our limitations, and disclose potential conflicts. Readers deserve to understand our processes, including our use of AI automation.
5. Accountability for Output
Real humans take real responsibility for everything published under the NewsDefused brand. Readers can reach our editorial team, expect substantive responses, and trust we answer for our work.
Independence and Conflicts of Interest
Commercial Independence
NewsDefused maintains strict separation between editorial operations and any business considerations.
We Never:
- Accept payment for favorable treatment
- Allow advertisers or sponsors to influence editorial decisions
- Take equity stakes, tokens, or compensation from coverage subjects
- Modify or suppress coverage based on commercial relationships
When Conflicts Arise:
- Potential conflicts disclosed in relevant coverage
- Editorial decisions default to reader interest over commercial concerns
- Questionable situations escalated to editorial leadership
- Transparency is chosen when doubt exists
Technology Vendor Relationships
NewsDefused uses various technology platforms (OpenAI, Anthropic, Ghost, Cloudflare, Railway) while also potentially covering these companies as news subjects.
Our Safeguards:
- No editorial coordination with our technology vendors
- Coverage of vendors follows identical standards as other companies
- Critical coverage proceeds without vendor consultation
- Disclosures included when editorially relevant
- Alternative vendors covered without bias
Personal Conflicts
Editorial team members avoid conflicts that could compromise independence.
Required Disclosures:
- Past employment relationships with coverage subjects
- Family connections to companies or individuals covered
- Financial interests in relevant sectors
- Any circumstance creating potential bias
Industry Relationships
NewsDefused participates in the technology and journalism industries while maintaining editorial independence:
Acceptable:
- Attending industry conferences and events
- Participating in journalism organizations
- Accepting media credentials for technology events
- Professional networking within technology sectors
Requiring Disclosure:
- Speaking engagements for compensation
- Advisory roles or formal relationships
- Sponsored travel or accommodations
- Any activity creating perception of obligation
Editorial Structure and Accountability
Editorial Leadership
NewsDefused operates under clear editorial authority:
Publisher/Editor-in-Chief:
- Final authority on all editorial decisions
- Responsibility for platform standards and policies
- Accountability for published content
Editorial Team:
- Day-to-day content oversight and quality control
- Platform monitoring and improvement
- Reader inquiry responses
- Corrections and clarifications
Reporting Structure:
- Clear chain of command for editorial decisions
- Escalation paths for controversial or sensitive issues
- Defined responsibilities for different content types
- Human accountability for all published material
Separation of Functions
NewsDefused maintains separation between:
Editorial vs. Business:
- Editorial team makes coverage decisions
- Business operations managed separately
- No business pressure on editorial choices
- Independent budgets and priorities
News vs. Opinion:
- Straight news reporting clearly distinguished from analysis
- Opinion content clearly labeled (if published)
- Commentary attributed to human authors
- No institutional editorial opinions on coverage subjects
Content vs. Advertising:
- No sponsored content disguised as journalism
- Clear labeling of any sponsored material
- Editorial space protected from commercial influence
- Reader trust prioritized over revenue
Source Relationships and Protection
Source Selection
NewsDefused aggregates from credible sources. We regularly evaluate source quality and remove sources that fail to maintain standards.
Attribution Standards
Every piece of NewsDefused content clearly attributes:
- Original reporting to the sources
- Direct quotes to their speakers
- Data and statistics to original sources
- Breaking news to the first publisher
- Exclusive information to the organization that obtained it
Reader Relationship
Treating Readers Fairly
Readers deserve:
- The complete truth as we best understand it
- Prompt, transparent error corrections
- Respectful responses to inquiries
- Clear explanations of our methods
- Accountability for our work
Engagement Standards
When interacting with readers:
- Civility applies in all communications
- Substantive inquiries receive thoughtful responses
- Corrections submitted by readers trigger immediate review
- Feedback informs platform improvements
- Defensive or dismissive attitudes are unacceptable
Privacy Respect
Reader information is protected:
- Minimal data collection
- No selling of user information
- Transparent privacy policies
- Secure handling of personal data
- Respect for communication preferences
Institutional Integrity
Defending Editorial Independence
NewsDefused's editorial team has autonomy to:
- Make coverage decisions based on newsworthiness
- Publish critical coverage without interference
- Correct errors without external approval
- Set and enforce editorial standards
- Resist pressure from any source
When Standards Are Violated
If NewsDefused content fails to meet these standards:
- Immediate investigation upon discovery
- Prompt corrections or clarifications published
- Root cause analysis to prevent recurrence
- Platform improvements implemented
- Accountability measures for responsible parties
Platform Development
Defused.io development serves editorial needs:
- Features justify themselves through journalism value
- Technology choices consider editorial implications
- Reader experience prioritized over technical novelty
- Quality controls strengthen over time
- Editorial team guides platform evolution
External Accountability
Industry Standards
NewsDefused commits to professional journalism standards:
- Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics
- Ethical principles recognized across journalism industry
- Emerging standards for AI-assisted journalism
- Best practices from leading news organizations
Regulatory Compliance
We comply with:
- Applicable media and communications laws
- Copyright and intellectual property protections
- Privacy and data protection regulations
- Defamation and libel standards
- Required disclosures and attributions
Public Transparency
NewsDefused openly publishes:
- Editorial policies and standards (these documents)
- Corrections and clarifications
- Ownership and funding structure
- Technology platform details
- Contact information for accountability
Ownership and Funding
Organizational Structure
NewsDefused operates as an independent operation focused on journalism.
- No obligation to external investors or shareholders
- Editorial independence protected structurally
- Long-term sustainability is prioritized
Funding Model
NewsDefused does not depend upon coverage subjects for revenue. Editorial operations are protected from funding pressures.
Contact and Accountability
Questions, concerns, or complaints about NewsDefused's trustworthiness should be directed to:
General Editorial Inquiries:
editorial@newsdefused.com
Publisher/Editor-in-Chief:
publisher@newsdefused.com
Corrections and Errors:
corrections@newsdefused.com
We commit to:
- Reading and considering all substantive communications
- Responding to genuine inquiries and concerns
- Taking reader feedback seriously
- Investigating issues brought to our attention
- Acting on valid criticisms
Our Promise
NewsDefused promises to:
- Tell the truth as we best understand it, acknowledging when uncertainty exists
- Correct errors promptly and transparently without waiting for external pressure
- Resist pressure from commercial, political, or other interests seeking to influence coverage
- Explain our work through transparency about methods, including AI automation
- Take responsibility for everything published under the NewsDefused brand
- Serve readers first in every editorial decision
- Maintain independence from the subjects we cover
- Improve continuously through reader feedback and industry evolution
Trust is earned daily. We work to deserve yours.
This Trust policy is part of NewsDefused's broader editorial standards framework. See also: Authenticity, Technology & AI Policy, Editorial Standards, Corrections.