Editorial Standards

The principles and requirements that govern all reporting, sourcing, attribution, and publication at Media Alert Press.

Sourcing Standards

MAP reporters are required to use primary sources wherever available — original documents, official records, first-hand accounts, and data from the originating organization. Secondary or aggregated sources must be identified as such and linked to primary materials where publicly accessible.

Anonymous sourcing is permitted only where the source’s identity cannot be revealed without material harm and where the information is sufficiently newsworthy. Anonymous sourcing requires editorial approval and must be characterized accurately in the text.

Single-source reporting is published only in breaking news contexts. In these cases, the reporting is labeled as preliminary and updated as confirmation is obtained.

Attribution

All MAP reporting attributes quotes, claims, and data to their sources. Attribution must be specific. Data reported by MAP is linked to the originating source document wherever possible. When we cite surveys, studies, or reports, we identify the commissioning organization, methodology notes, and any conflicts of interest disclosed by the researchers.

Independence

MAP editorial decisions are made without influence from advertisers, funders, business partners, or external stakeholders. Sponsored content is produced separately from our editorial team and is never presented alongside MAP editorial reporting without a clear visual and textual distinction.

MAP does not accept payments, gifts, or hospitality of material value from sources, subjects, or parties with a material interest in our coverage.

Publication Standards

All stories are reviewed for factual accuracy, sourcing adequacy, fairness to subjects, and compliance with this editorial standards document before publication. Subjects of critical coverage are given a reasonable opportunity to respond before publication.

Headlines and summaries must accurately represent the content of the story. Opinion, analysis, and news reporting are clearly distinguished in publication format and labeling.