The Written Wilds

Editorial Policy & Ethics

Damion Davis
3–4 minutes

Last updated: October 2025
Website: thewrittenwilds.com
Contact: thewrittenwilds@gmail.com

At The Written Wilds, we publish original reporting, analysis, and creative work. This page explains how we gather information, verify facts, handle corrections, and keep our editorial independence intact. Our goal is simple: be accurate, fair, and transparent.

1) Our Mission

  • Inform readers with accurate, timely reporting and clear analysis.
  • Tell human stories with dignity—especially in war and crisis coverage.
  • Keep opinion and fiction clearly labeled, and never blur them with news.

2) Sourcing & Verification

  • We rely on multiple independent sources wherever possible (official records, on-the-record interviews, reputable NGOs, recognized OSINT communities, satellite data, court filings, company docs).
  • In conflict reporting, we flag claims we cannot fully verify and clearly mark them as such (“unconfirmed,” “preliminary,” “according to X…”).
  • We corroborate visual evidence (photos/videos) by checking timestamps, geolocation clues, weather, metadata when available, and cross-matching with credible monitors.

3) Corrections & Updates

  • If we get something wrong, we fix it quickly and visibly.
  • Corrections appear at the top or bottom of the article (depending on impact) with what changed and why.
  • Minor clarifications and context updates are timestamped as “Update: …”.

To request a correction: thewrittenwilds@gmail.com (subject line: Correction).

4) Anonymous Sources

  • We prefer on-the-record quotes.
  • We grant anonymity only when a source faces credible risk (safety, employment, legal retaliation) and information is vital to the public interest.
  • Editors must know the source’s identity; we explain why anonymity was granted in the article when possible (“due to security concerns,” etc.).

5) Conflicts of Interest

  • Writers and editors must disclose any personal, financial, or organizational ties related to a story.
  • We do not accept gifts or paid travel that could influence coverage.
  • Sponsored trips (if any) are labeled and do not control editorial outcomes.

6) Use of AI & Automation

  • Drafting and research tools may assist with transcription, translation, and background—but final editorial judgment is human.
  • We do not publish AI-generated news articles without human editing and verification.
  • If AI imagery is used in art/illustration, it’s labeled and never used to depict real events.

7) Images, Video & Graphic Material

  • We use visuals to inform, not to shock.
  • Graphic content (injury/death) appears only with strong public-interest justification, with clear warnings and no sensational framing.
  • We avoid publishing identifiable images of victims without consent unless overriding public interest exists.

8) Fact-Checking & Review

  • All reported pieces undergo editorial review for accuracy, fairness, and context.
  • Sensitive claims (casualty figures, attributions of responsibility, war-crimes allegations) require extra verification or explicit caveats.

9) Opinion vs. News vs. Fiction

  • News/Reporting: fact-based, source-driven, verified.
  • Opinion/Analysis: labeled Opinion or Analysis, reflects the author’s view.
  • Fiction/Unseen Worlds: labeled Fiction; not factual accounts unless clearly stated.

10) War & Crisis Reporting Standards

  • We avoid publishing troop positions or sensitive operational details that could endanger lives.
  • We protect prisoners of war and civilians from exposure that could cause harm or humiliation.
  • We disclose limitations (restricted access, fog of war, propaganda risks) when relevant.

11) Diversity, Dignity & Non-Discrimination

  • We don’t tolerate coverage or comments that dehumanize based on race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.
  • We aim for inclusive sourcing and respectful language, especially around trauma.

12) Community Standards (Comments)

  • We moderate comments to keep discussion civil and on-topic.
  • We remove hate speech, doxxing, threats, incitement, spam, and persistent misinformation.
  • Repeat offenders may be blocked.

13) Advertising, Sponsorship & Affiliate Links

  • Editorial and advertising are separate.
  • Sponsored or partner content is clearly labeled (“Sponsored,” “Partner Content”).
  • Affiliate links never dictate coverage; if present, we’ll disclose them.

14) Plagiarism & Intellectual Property

  • We do not plagiarize.
  • We attribute quotes, data, and ideas to original sources with links or citations.
  • If we use third-party content under license/fair use, we credit appropriately.

15) Legal Requests & Takedowns

  • For rights concerns or takedown requests, email thewrittenwilds@gmail.com with supporting documentation.
  • We review good-faith requests promptly and respond within a reasonable timeframe.

16) Safety & Wellbeing of Contributors

  • We do not require contributors to take unreasonable risks.
  • Trauma-informed practices: we offer debriefing resources after difficult assignments when possible.

17) Data & Privacy

  • We follow our Privacy Policy for data collection, cookies, and email signups.
  • We never sell personal data.

18) How to Reach Us