1. Independence
The Obsidian is editorially independent. No shareholder, advertiser, donor, or source may influence our coverage. Our journalists have full discretion over the stories they pursue, subject only to legal risk review and the editor-in-chief's judgment on newsworthiness and proportionality.
2. Accuracy and verification
We do not publish rumours or unverified claims. Every significant assertion must be supported by documentary evidence, first-hand observation, or testimony from a source we have independently verified. We seek comment from all parties named in a story before publication, and we reflect their responses fairly.
3. Sourcing and anonymity
We identify our sources by name wherever possible. Anonymous sourcing is permitted only when the source faces genuine risk of harm, retaliation, or legal jeopardy, and where the information is of significant public interest. The decision to grant anonymity must be approved by the relevant department editor and, in sensitive cases, the editor-in-chief.
4. Conflicts of interest
Our journalists must disclose any financial, personal, or familial relationship that could be perceived as a conflict of interest. They may not report on entities in which they hold a direct financial stake. Freelance contributors are held to the same standard.
5. Payments and inducements
We do not pay sources for information. We do not accept gifts, hospitality, or travel from subjects of our coverage. Expeditions or reporting trips funded by third parties are disclosed to readers.
6. Fairness and respect
We treat everyone we report on with fairness and respect. We do not rely on stereotypes or prejudiced assumptions. We avoid gratuitous detail about private lives unless it is directly relevant to a story of public interest.
7. Corrections and clarifications
Errors are corrected promptly and transparently. A correction note is appended to the online article and recorded in our permanent corrections log. Where a significant error undermines the central claim of a story, we may retract the article and publish an explanation.
8. AI and automation
We may use AI tools for research, transcription, or data analysis, but every word we publish is written, fact-checked, and approved by human editors. We do not publish AI-generated articles without clear human editorial oversight.
9. Whistleblowing and leaks
We welcome information from whistleblowers and will protect their identity to the fullest extent permitted by law. Secure channels for leaks are available on our Contact page.
10. Review and enforcement
This policy is reviewed annually by the editor-in-chief and an external ethics adviser. Violations are investigated by a board-appointed committee. Serious or repeated breaches may result in dismissal.