productmetrics.org Publishing Policy

This is an example to replace with your own standards. Everything below is editable — rewrite each section in your own words, delete what does not apply, and add what does. The [bracketed] parts are prompts to fill in.

_A publishing policy states the standards you hold yourself to when you create and share information. Specific, plainly-worded standards are a trust signal: they tell your audience what to expect — and let them hold you to it._

Identity & Mission

_Who is behind this?_

We are [an independent publisher / a company / a nonprofit] that publishes [what you publish]. We are owned by [owner], and our work is funded by [how you are funded]. We publish because [your mission].

Accuracy & Verification

_Can I trust this is accurate?_

We check facts against primary sources before publishing. [Describe who reviews work, and when.] Anything involving data or quotes is verified by a second person.

Perspective & Position

_Is this trying to persuade or inform me?_

We [take a clearly stated position / present multiple viewpoints / disclose our point of view] on the topics we cover. [Say where you stand, and why.]

Independence & Conflicts of Interest

_Do they have something to gain?_

We disclose any relationship that could affect what we publish. [Describe how you handle sponsorships, partnerships, and conflicts of interest.]

Transparency

_What are they willing to show me?_

We make the following public: [who funds us, who owns us, how we correct errors, who creates our content]. [List what you disclose.]

Privacy & Consent

_How do they treat people in their content?_

When real people appear in our work, we [obtain consent / minimize personal details / honor removal requests]. [Describe your approach.]

Attribution & Credit

_Do they give credit where it's due?_

We credit our sources and link to original work whenever we can. [Describe how you attribute the work you build on.]

Content Labeling

_Can I tell what kind of content this is?_

We clearly label [opinion, sponsored content, AI-assisted content, and analysis] so readers can tell them apart. [List what you label.]

Corrections & Accountability

_What happens when they're wrong?_

When we get something wrong we correct it [within a stated timeframe] and note what changed. You can report an error at [contact]. We review this policy [how often].

Community & Participation

_How do they handle content they don't create?_

If we host comments or contributions, we moderate them [describe how], and [describe removal and appeals]. [If you do not host community content, say so.]

AI & Technology Disclosure

_Was AI involved and do they tell me?_

We [disclose whenever AI is used / do not use AI] in our work. [Describe how AI is involved in creating, editing, or curating what we publish — and how we tell you.]

What Malpublishing Means For Us

For us, malpublishing means failing to live up to the commitments above — for example, publishing a factual claim we have not verified, or running sponsored content without labeling it. Holding ourselves to a public standard is the point: you can check our work against it.