Ryan JarvisINVESTIGATIVE JOURNALIST

Accountability

Editorial Standards

Principles governing accuracy, fairness, evidence, independence and public interest reporting.

How I work

Evidence first.
Fairness throughout.

These standards explain the principles I apply when gathering information, testing claims, approaching those affected and deciding what to publish.

  • Check carefully
  • Give a fair opportunity to respond
  • Correct transparently

Foundations

Principles behind the reporting

The standards applied when deciding what to investigate, what can be supported and what is ready to publish.

01

Accuracy

Reporting should be supported by evidence and checked carefully before publication. Material factual errors will be corrected transparently.

02

Fairness

People and organisations subject to significant criticism should normally be given an appropriate opportunity to respond before publication.

03

Independence

Editorial decisions are made independently and should not be influenced by personal, political or commercial interests. Relevant conflicts of interest will be disclosed where necessary.

04

Evidence

Investigative reporting may draw on interviews, official records, court material, freedom of information disclosures, data, open source research and confidential sources. Important claims should be corroborated wherever reasonably possible.

Methods

Sources, scrutiny and technology

How sensitive information, investigative methods, responses and research tools are handled.

05

Confidential sources

The identity of confidential sources will be protected where confidentiality has been agreed, subject to applicable law and exceptional ethical considerations.

06

Public interest

Intrusive or exceptional investigative methods should only be considered where justified by a sufficiently strong public interest and where less intrusive methods would not reasonably obtain the information required.

07

Right of reply

Those facing significant allegations or criticism should ordinarily be approached with sufficient detail and reasonable time to respond before publication.

08

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence may be used as a research or productivity tool, but it is not treated as an authoritative source. Factual claims intended for publication must be checked against reliable underlying material. AI generated quotations, evidence or sources must never be presented as genuine.

Responsibility

Separation, corrections and accountability

Clear boundaries and accessible routes for raising concerns are part of responsible journalism.

09

Professional conflicts

Journalistic work is kept separate from Ryan's legal and advocacy activities. Confidential information obtained through another professional relationship will not be repurposed for journalism merely because it may be newsworthy.

11

Accountability

If you believe my journalism has fallen below these standards, you can make an editorial complaint. Complaints are considered under my published Complaints procedure.

Make an editorial complaint