Editorial Standards

Last updated: 15.07.2026

These standards apply to everything The Modern publishes — whether a story was drafted by a person, by our AI pipeline, or both.

Accuracy

We publish what we can verify. Key facts are checked against at least two independent sources, or against an authoritative primary source (official records, filings, on-the-record statements). Where facts are developing or disputed, we say so in the story.

Sourcing

We attribute information to its source wherever possible. Anonymous sourcing is reserved for information of clear public interest that cannot be obtained otherwise, and must be approved by an editor who knows the source’s identity.

Independence

Our journalism is funded by our readers. Advertisers, partners and technology providers get no influence over coverage. Staff and systems must not have financial stakes in subjects they cover; conflicts are disclosed.

News vs. opinion

News reporting and opinion are clearly separated and labeled. Opinion pieces carry the author’s name and represent their view, not the newsroom’s.

AI oversight

AI-assisted work follows the same rules as human work, with one addition: it is subject to editorial review before or immediately upon publication, and continuously audited afterwards. Our How We Use AI page explains the system in detail.

Fairness & harm

Subjects of critical coverage get a fair opportunity to respond. We avoid gratuitous detail about victims, minors and private individuals, and we do not publish material whose harm outweighs its news value.