Trust is fundamental to MAINLAND. Our journalism exists to help audiences understand important subjects clearly. Our decisions are guided by accuracy, evidence, fairness, independence, and transparency.
MAINLAND wants to publish quickly, but being correct is more important than being first. Material facts must be reasonably verified before publication. Reporters check names, dates, locations, numbers, quotes, titles, statistics, timelines, and legal documents. When something cannot be independently confirmed, we state so explicitly. We never disguise uncertainty as certainty.
Prefer original evidence whenever reasonably possible. Examples include government documents, legislation, regulatory filings, court records, financial statements, academic papers, official statistics, direct interviews, first-hand reporting, original video, and original photographs. A news article reporting another news article does not automatically constitute independent confirmation.
Material or controversial claims should be corroborated wherever reasonably possible. Particular care should be taken with anonymous accusations, political claims, financial allegations, criminal allegations, corporate misconduct, and viral social-media claims.
Anonymous sourcing requires a legitimate journalistic reason. Reporters must know who the source is, how they obtained the information, whether they have a personal agenda, and whether the claim can be corroborated. The identity of confidential sources will be protected appropriately.
Numbers without context mislead. When presenting statistics, we evaluate who collected the data, when, what was measured, the sample size, and whether the comparison is legitimate. We do not imply causation merely because two variables correlate. Charts must not intentionally distort scale or findings.
People or organisations facing serious allegations must be given a reasonable opportunity to respond. We record when they were contacted, how, what questions were asked, and whether they responded. If there is no response, we state: "MAINLAND contacted X for comment but had not received a response by publication."
MAINLAND scrutinises power — government, opposition, regulators, corporations, institutions, and public officials. Straight news reporting does not campaign for political candidates or parties. We clearly separate Fact, Allegation, Analysis, Opinion, and Prediction.
Fairness does not require treating every claim as equally credible. Evidence determines weight. A demonstrably false assertion does not deserve equal status merely because somebody believes it. However, relevant perspectives must not be omitted simply because they complicate a story.
Opinion pieces must be clearly labelled. Analysis must be demarcated where necessary. Personal political preferences must not quietly appear inside straight reporting.
Journalists must disclose material financial, professional, political, family, or commercial conflicts. A reporter will not cover a subject where an undisclosed relationship calls their independence into question.
Advertising is not journalism. Sponsored content must be clearly labelled as SPONSORED, PAID PARTNERSHIP, or PRESENTED BY. Advertisers cannot purchase favourable independent coverage or force the removal of accurate reporting.
Quotes must accurately represent what was said. Never manufacture quotations or materially alter their meaning. Translations should preserve original intent.
MAINLAND must credit reporting, research, photographs, video, documents and information originating elsewhere. We do not present another newsroom’s exclusive reporting as our original story.
Documentary images must represent reality. We do not manipulate imagery in a way that materially changes what occurred. Clear labels identify archive footage, simulations, illustrations, stock footage, and AI-modified media.
AI may assist with research organisation, transcription, translation, and data analysis. AI is NOT automatically a factual source. Factual claims generated by AI must be independently verified. AI must never be used to fabricate sources, interviews, quotes, or evidence.
MAINLAND does not tolerate plagiarism. Reporting belonging to another organization must be credited cleanly.
Graphic material is published only when its journalistic value justifies its use, with warnings where appropriate. We avoid gratuitous imagery designed purely to shock.
Exercise additional care when reporting on children, crime victims, trauma, and vulnerable individuals, considering consent, dignity, and long-term consequences.
MAINLAND corrects meaningful factual errors transparently. We do not quietly rewrite a serious mistake and pretend it never occurred.
Before publishing difficult journalism, we ask: Is it true? Can we prove it? Is the evidence credible? Did we try to disprove our own hypothesis? Have we treated people fairly? If not: DO MORE REPORTING.