Last updated: September 2026

The Western Diplomat is committed to producing independent, accurate and thoughtful journalism on diplomacy, international affairs, global business, society and the ideas shaping a changing world.

Our credibility depends upon the trust of our readers. That trust must be earned through accuracy, transparency, independence and a willingness to correct our work when necessary.

The following principles guide our editorial decisions and apply to reporting, analysis, interviews, commentary and other editorial material published by The Western Diplomat.

Accuracy

Accuracy is fundamental to our journalism.

We make reasonable efforts to verify factual claims before publication and to distinguish established facts from analysis, interpretation, allegation and opinion.

Information should be supported by credible evidence. Where appropriate, this may include official documents, government records, international organisations, academic research, company filings, data, interviews, reputable news organisations and other reliable sources.

When significant uncertainty exists, we aim to communicate that uncertainty rather than present assumptions as established fact.

We would rather acknowledge what is not yet known than create certainty where none exists.

Sourcing and Attribution

The Western Diplomat aims to use primary sources whenever they are reasonably available and appropriate.

These may include government documents, legislation, official statements, international organisations, regulatory filings, court documents, company announcements, research publications and direct interviews.

Reputable news organisations may also be used to verify developments, particularly where they have conducted original reporting or where primary documentation is unavailable.

When information originates substantially from another news organisation’s reporting, appropriate attribution should be provided.

Information obtained from a source is not the same as language taken from that source. Our journalists and editors are expected to report and explain information in original language while crediting the underlying source where appropriate.

Direct quotations must reproduce a source’s words accurately and must be clearly identified through quotation marks or appropriate formatting and attribution.

We do not present another publication’s original reporting, analysis or language as our own.

Reporting, Analysis and Opinion

Readers should be able to understand the nature of the material they are reading.

Straightforward factual reporting should not knowingly present speculation as fact.

Analysis may interpret events, examine implications, identify patterns and consider possible outcomes, but analytical conclusions should be grounded in evidence.

Opinion and commentary may express a particular argument or perspective and should be identified appropriately where necessary.

The Western Diplomat may reach conclusions through its analysis. Editorial independence does not require journalism to avoid conclusions; it requires those conclusions to be reached honestly and supported by credible information.

Fairness and Context

International affairs are complex, and reasonable people, institutions and governments frequently interpret the same events differently.

We aim to represent significant perspectives fairly and provide readers with sufficient context to understand competing positions.

Fairness does not require treating every claim as equally credible.

Where evidence overwhelmingly supports one conclusion, we will not manufacture artificial balance simply to create the appearance of neutrality.

When serious allegations are made about an identifiable person or organisation, reasonable efforts should be made, where appropriate, to obtain their response or accurately represent their publicly stated position.

Context matters. Facts should not knowingly be presented in a manner that materially distorts their meaning.

Independence

The Western Diplomat maintains editorial independence from governments, political parties, corporations, advertisers, sponsors, advocacy organisations and other outside interests.

Editorial decisions are made on the basis of journalistic relevance, public interest and editorial judgement.

Advertising, sponsorships, partnerships and other commercial relationships do not purchase favourable editorial coverage or the ability to determine our editorial conclusions.

Commercial material will be distinguished from independent editorial content where appropriate.

Conflicts of Interest

Writers and editors should avoid financial, personal or professional relationships that could improperly influence editorial coverage.

Where a meaningful conflict of interest cannot reasonably be avoided, it should be disclosed to the appropriate editor and, where relevant to the reader’s understanding of the work, disclosed within or alongside the published material.

Writers should not accept payments, gifts or benefits in exchange for favourable editorial coverage.

Attendance at press events, conferences, familiarisation visits, media trips or other hosted activities does not guarantee positive coverage.

Where significant travel, accommodation or other material expenses relating directly to editorial coverage have been provided by an outside organisation, disclosure may be made where appropriate.

Interviews and Quotations

Interview subjects should be quoted accurately and in context.

Quotes should not be altered in a manner that changes their meaning.

Minor editing for clarity may be permitted where it does not materially change what the speaker intended, particularly when removing obvious verbal fillers or repetitions. Substantive changes should not be presented as direct quotations.

Information provided under agreed conditions such as off the record, on background or not for attribution should be handled according to the terms established between the journalist and source.

The Western Diplomat does not knowingly fabricate sources, interviews or quotations.

Anonymous Sources

Anonymous sources should be used carefully.

Where possible, readers should know who is providing information. However, anonymity may sometimes be justified when a source faces legitimate professional, personal or security risks or when important information cannot reasonably be obtained otherwise.

The identity of an anonymous source should be known to the journalist and, where appropriate, an editor.

Anonymous sourcing should not be used simply to allow individuals to make unsupported accusations without accountability.

Plagiarism

The Western Diplomat does not tolerate plagiarism.

Writers must not reproduce another person’s writing, reporting, analysis, photography, graphics or other creative work and present it as their own.

Information gathered through research should be independently written and appropriately attributed where necessary.

Direct quotations must be clearly identified and credited.

Substantial ideas, exclusive reporting or distinctive analysis originating from another publication should also receive appropriate attribution even when the exact language is not reproduced.

Images and Visual Journalism

Photographs presented as documentary images should accurately represent the events, people or places they purport to depict.

Images should not be manipulated in ways that materially misrepresent reality.

Normal editorial adjustments such as cropping, exposure correction and other minor photographic processing may be used provided they do not change the fundamental meaning of an image.

Illustrations, composites and AI-generated visuals should be presented in a manner that does not intentionally mislead readers into believing they are documentary evidence.

Image credits should be provided where required.

Sensitive Reporting

Reporting involving death, violence, humanitarian crises, children, victims of crime and vulnerable individuals requires particular care.

Graphic or unnecessarily intrusive material should not be published merely to attract attention.

The public-interest value of identifying vulnerable individuals should be weighed against potential harm, privacy and safety concerns.

Headlines and imagery should reflect the seriousness of the subject rather than sensationalise suffering.

Headlines and Presentation

Headlines should accurately reflect the substance of the article.

The Western Diplomat does not intentionally use materially misleading headlines, images or captions simply to generate clicks.

Headlines may be engaging, provocative or analytical, but they should not promise something the article does not support.

Photographs and illustrations should similarly provide appropriate context and should not knowingly create a false impression about the underlying story.

Developing Stories

Information can change rapidly during wars, elections, diplomatic crises, disasters and other developing events.

Early reports should be treated with appropriate caution.

Where facts remain disputed or unverified, that uncertainty should be communicated to readers.

The Western Diplomat may update articles as reliable new information becomes available.

Corrections

Mistakes can occur even when appropriate editorial care has been taken.

When The Western Diplomat identifies a substantive factual error, we aim to correct it promptly and transparently.

We do not remove accurate reporting merely because it has become inconvenient to an individual or organisation.

The procedures governing corrections, clarifications and updates are explained in our separate Corrections & Fact-Checking Policy.

Accountability

Our standards apply regardless of the subject of our coverage.

The Western Diplomat welcomes legitimate questions about its journalism and considers good-faith concerns regarding factual accuracy.

Readers who believe we have made a factual error may contact us using the information provided on our Contact Us page.

Our goal is not to claim that journalism can ever be entirely free from judgement.

It is to exercise that judgement responsibly.

Accuracy. Independence. Context. Fairness. Accountability.

These principles form the foundation of journalism at The Western Diplomat.