Editorial Policy
1. Mission and Editorial Independence
Middle East Chronicle (Inside Matters) is an independent digital publication providing comprehensive, accurate, and contextualised coverage of news, politics, economics, society, and culture across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Our editorial mission is to foster understanding of one of the world's most consequential and complex regions through journalism that meets international professional standards.
All editorial decisions are made exclusively on journalistic grounds. We are independent of governments, political factions, business interests, and ownership pressures. No external party influences our reporting or editorial positions.
2. Professional Standards
We adhere to the SPJ Code of Ethics, the IFJ Declaration of Principles, and the guidelines of the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF), both of which closely monitor press freedom conditions across the MENA region. We draw on the ethical guidance of the Arab Journalism Awards and relevant national press councils where applicable.
3. Accuracy and Verification
Verification is our fundamental obligation. Given the complexity and sensitivity of MENA reporting, we apply rigorous standards:
- Material facts are verified through at least two independent sources where possible.
- In regions where independent media is restricted, we clearly disclose the nature and limitations of our sources.
- Official government statements from MENA governments are reported as such, clearly attributed, and not presented as independent factual verification.
- We cross-reference claims against UN, World Bank, IMF, and independent research institution data.
- Reporting on conflict situations follows ICRC guidelines for responsible conflict journalism.
4. MENA Focus and Regional Standards
Middle East Chronicle covers the full MENA region including the Arab states of the Gulf, the Levant, North Africa, Iraq, Iran, Israel, Turkey, and related territories. Regional standards include:
- Conflict reporting: Coverage of armed conflicts and humanitarian crises (including in Gaza, Yemen, Syria, Libya, Sudan, and other ongoing situations) follows ICRC guidelines. We do not publish information that could endanger civilians, aid workers, or journalists. Attribution of responsibility for specific acts is carefully verified and distinguished from allegations.
- Palestinian-Israeli coverage: We report factually on all parties, applying consistent standards. We distinguish between established facts, contested claims, and positions held by different parties. We do not editorially take sides in the conflict but report on events, human consequences, legal questions, and political developments based on evidence.
- Iranian affairs: Reporting on Iran distinguishes between official state communications, independent Iranian civil society voices (including sources at personal risk), and international expert analysis. We protect the identities of confidential sources in Iran with the highest care.
- Gulf state reporting: Coverage of Gulf Cooperation Council states balances official government communications with independent economic data, civil society reporting (where accessible), and international human rights assessments.
- Religious and cultural sensitivity: We report on religious affairs, including Islam, Christianity, Judaism, and other faiths practised in the MENA region, with factual accuracy, cultural sensitivity, and without bias toward or against any religious community.
5. Impartiality
Middle East Chronicle takes no institutional editorial positions on the contested political, territorial, or sovereignty questions of the MENA region. We present evidence-based reporting. On deeply contested issues, we aim to represent the full spectrum of credible perspectives, proportionate to their evidential basis, without false equivalence.
6. Source Protection
Source protection is a paramount obligation in MENA journalism. Many of our sources operate in environments where disclosure of their identity could result in detention, torture, or death. We use encrypted communication channels, retain no unnecessary identifying information, and apply operational security protocols consistent with the most demanding safety standards. We will not disclose a confidential source under any circumstances other than a lawful court order in a jurisdiction with adequate procedural protections, and even then only after exhausting all legal remedies.
7. Corrections
Errors are corrected promptly and transparently. A correction notice is appended to affected articles. Retractions are issued for fundamentally flawed stories. Report errors to support@harbingerpressmedia.com.
8. Artificial Intelligence
AI tools may assist with research and translation (Arabic, Hebrew, Turkish, Persian/Farsi, and other regional languages). All AI-assisted content is reviewed and approved by a human journalist before publication.
9. Contact
Harbinger Bros. LLC
Email: support@harbingerpressmedia.com