Editorial & verification policy
How we choose, check, label and correct what we publish.
How stories are selected
We look for real actions by real people, with priority for those who are often overlooked. Scale is not the test: a household project can matter as much as a large programme if it shows meaningful action, learning, participation or a replicable idea. We aim for diversity of geography, age, gender, occupation, income and issue.
Evidence levels
- Verified Checked by our editors against credible independent evidence, usually including an interview.
- Documented Supported by reliable published sources such as UN agencies, award bodies and reputable journalism. Not yet independently re-verified by our editors.
- Self-reported Based mainly on the contributor's own account.
- Insufficient evidence Not enough information to publish as a factual claim.
We never manufacture verification. Within each story we separate what the person says from what independent sources establish, and we attribute numbers to whoever measured them. Where sources disagree (for example on a start date), we say so in an editor's note.
How facts are checked
Every published story lists its sources with the publisher, date and the specific claim each one supports. Stories need at least two sources independent of the person or their organisation. We avoid relying on unsourced social media posts for serious claims.
Editorial workflow
Submissions are never published automatically. Each moves through: submitted → initial review → verification required → interview requested → fact-checking → approved → published → updated → archived. Editors flag unsupported claims, missing evidence, safety issues, potential defamation, political claims, environmental misinformation, copyright and privacy concerns.
Memorial profiles
Legacy profiles use at least three sources, including at least one institutional source. For environmental defenders who died, we use exactly one label: confirmed killing; alleged killing; death during environmental conflict; death while engaged in environmental defence; cause of death disputed; circumstances under investigation; or executed by the state. We describe court outcomes precisely and never imply causation beyond what sources show.
Anonymity, privacy and safety
Contributors can publish under their full name, first name only, or anonymously. We take extra care with activists, environmental defenders, Indigenous communities, children, land disputes and corporate conflicts. We never publish precise locations where that could create a risk; the map shows town or regional level only. Contributor contact details are never published.
Anti-greenwashing policy
We are not a promotional channel. If we publish a story involving a business, we separate marketing claims from verified facts, identify any sponsorship or conflict of interest, avoid unsupported “eco-friendly” or “carbon neutral” claims, and ask for evidence.
Sponsorship and conflicts of interest
We currently publish no sponsored content. If that changes, sponsored material will be clearly labelled. Editors declare any personal connection to a story and step back from editing it.
Images and copyright
We do not scrape or republish photographs without permission. For every image we record the photographer, copyright holder, licence, permission status and attribution.
Corrections
Anyone can report an error. We review reports promptly, correct the story, and add a dated note describing what changed.