Statement of Editorial and Ethical Principles

INTRODUCTION

Field Notes Press is an independent news and media outlet committed to honest, accurate, and fair journalism. These principles guide everything we publish and every decision we make in the course of our reporting. They are not aspirational talking points — they are the standards we hold ourselves to every day, and the basis on which our readers should judge our work.

We believe journalism serves the public. Our job is to find out what is true, report it clearly, and do so with integrity. That is the promise we make to our audience.

I. ACCURACY

We do not publish what we do not know to be true. Before any claim appears in our coverage, we make every effort to verify it through independent sources, documents, or direct observation. We distinguish clearly between what is confirmed, what is alleged, and what is uncertain.

When we make a mistake — and we will, from time to time — we correct it promptly, transparently, and without burying the correction. We do not delete or silently alter published content to hide errors. We believe accountability for our own mistakes is inseparable from our credibility as journalists.

II. FAIRNESS AND IMPARTIALITY

We cover the full range of events, issues, and communities that make up public life. We do not favor particular political parties, candidates, or interest groups. Ideologically, we will always favor the rights of human beings to be safe, secure, healthy, and free of oppression. We seek out a diversity of voices and perspectives, especially those that are often overlooked or underrepresented.

Fairness does not mean treating all claims as equally valid. When evidence strongly supports one conclusion, we say so. We will not manufacture false balance in the name of appearing neutral.

III. INDEPENDENCE

Field Notes Press exercises full editorial independence. Our reporting and editorial decisions are made by our journalists and editors alone.

Advertisers, sponsors, financial supporters, and outside parties have no role in determining what we cover, how we cover it, or what we publish.

We will always clearly distinguish between news coverage and sponsored or promotional content. We will never allow a business relationship to shape our journalism. If a conflict of interest arises — real or perceived — we will disclose it to our readers.

We do not accept gifts, free travel, or other benefits from sources, subjects of coverage, or any party that might have an interest in influencing our reporting.

IV. USE OF ANONYMOUS SOURCES

We prefer to report on the record. Named sources are more credible and more accountable, and we will always seek on-the-record comment before considering anonymous sourcing.

There are circumstances, however, in which granting anonymity is justified — when a source has direct, first-hand knowledge of newsworthy information that could not otherwise be obtained, and when the source faces a genuine risk of retaliation or harm if identified. In those cases, we may withhold a source's name, but we will tell our readers as much as we can about who the source is and why anonymity was granted.

We do not allow anonymous sources to make attacks on private individuals. We do not use anonymous sources as a shortcut around difficult reporting. And we independently corroborate what anonymous sources tell us whenever possible. We never knowingly allow a source to mislead our readers under the protection of anonymity.

V. CORRECTIONS AND ACCOUNTABILITY

We take errors seriously. When we get something wrong, we will:

— Correct the record as quickly as possible after an error is identified;

— Publish the correction clearly, in a manner visible to readers who saw the original content;

— Note what was incorrect and what the accurate information is; and

— Retain the original content with the correction appended, rather
than altering or removing it without notice.

We welcome corrections from readers. If you believe we have made an
error of fact, please contact us. We will investigate and respond.

We apply the same standards of scrutiny to our own conduct that we
apply to the institutions and individuals we cover.

VI. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

Our journalists and editors avoid financial, personal, or professional relationships that could compromise — or reasonably appear to compromise — their ability to report fairly and independently.

Staff and contributors are expected to disclose potential conflicts of interest to editors before undertaking assignments. Where a conflict cannot be avoided, the relevant journalist will be recused from the affected coverage. Where a conflict is disclosed and coverage proceeds, we will inform our readers.

VII. PRIVACY AND HARM MINIMIZATION

We recognize that journalism can affect the lives of real people. We treat the subjects of our coverage with dignity, even when our coverage is critical.

We do not publish private information about individuals — including their home addresses, personal relationships, medical history, or financial details — unless that information is directly relevant to a matter of legitimate public concern. The fact that information is technically available does not automatically mean it should be published.

We are especially cautious when reporting on minors, victims of crime, and individuals who have not voluntarily entered public life. In these cases, we weigh the public interest in disclosure against the potential for harm, and we err on the side of protection where the public interest is not clear.

VIII. CONDUCT AND INTEGRITY

We identify ourselves as journalists when gathering information. We do not use deceptive methods to obtain information except in extraordinary circumstances where the information is of significant public interest and cannot be obtained any other way — and in those cases, we will disclose the methods we used to our readers.

We do not pay sources for information.

We do not allow personal opinions, activism, or outside professional activities to compromise the independence of our journalism.

We also believe that neutrality and objectivity are not mutually inclusive. Our journalists are humans, who naturally and rightfully have opinions on matters of public concern. We believe that they can, and should, be able to express those opinions outside the context of their work as a journalist, while still objectively reporting stories.

As such, opinions, commentary, and other content that may be posted on public platforms by individual journalists that is not part of work published by Field Notes Press does not reflect the publication's official stance or opinion.

IX. COMMITMENT TO OUR READERS

These principles belong to our readers as much as they belong to us. We publish them so that you know what to expect from Field Notes Press and so that you can hold us to account when we fall short.

Journalism earns trust by deserving it. We intend to deserve yours.

Field Notes Press
Tom Hudson
Founder & Editor-in-Chief

March, 2026